The daily morning Astorian. [volume] (Astoria, Oregon) 1883-1899, 1897-07-30
THE PIONEERS,

A careful analysts OF the reports from
every portion of the United States con-
cerning those who have gone or are
about to so TO the new Eldorado in
Alaska. reveals the unmis,allable fact
that with all the boom elements clus-
tered about the affair. there is much OF
immediate benefit to the country at large,
First. those who have returned with
fortunes have paid up old debts and
made investments Of profit to their horne
cities. Money has been put in circula-
ton from this source. which has been
Eel, in no little degree. But the largest
source OF revenue to the people has come
from those who are starting on, for
Alaska in search Of the golden treas
ure. Old wallets, which have been laid
away for years; tin cans, sacks. old
stockings, chests, dlled with money and
laid aside for rainy day have been
brought to light safe deposit vaults
have been stripped OF their savings, and
men. women and children are eagerly
crowding every steamer that will carry
them to the land of promise. The amount
OF money put in circulation from this
source can hardly be estimated Even
the far East has caught the contagion,
to say nothing of Europe. 1t is probable
that not less than $500 has been spent, on
the average. by each gold-hunter.
Here in the West. the effects of the
exodus is more particularly noticeable /.
San Francisco went wild; Seattle is /
crazy; Portland IS running a close sec
ond. while the excitement in Astoria is I
quite intense. and growing hourly. The /
merchants mere have outhted a dozen !
or fifteen men, and expect to furnish as
many more within the next few weeks /
The supplies were al purchased here. and !
it is easily figured that the increase in
business has been considerable.
Every man leaving Astoria expects TO ,
return in from one to three years time. /
1t is fair 10 presume that fifty per cent
of them win meet with success. They
are. for the most part, men of skin,
ability, accustomed 10 taking their own
part in the world. and they have prom
ised. upon their return with fortunes,
that nothing viii be too good for As
toria If only one-fourth Of them should
meet with moderate success, it would
simply mean that much additional cap
ital behind TIE progress Of the future
commercial center Of The north Paciac 4
coast.
Looking at the matter in any light It
must be admitted that at the present
juncture in national ami state affairs,
the discovery of these rich gold fields
has been an unmixed blessing. Doubtless,
the increase in the sum Of the worlds
gold will have a good influence. That
it can in any way reach such proportions
as to endanger the supremacy Of gold
as precious metal can hardly be sup
posed. That question, at any rate. will
be one for future generations to grapple
with. The hardy men who are gonlg 10
the furthermost territory Of the union
deserve all credit and praise. If success
ful in their efforts they will be that
much more useful 10 the nation and So
ciety, and even If unsuccessful, they will
have the satisfaction Of knowing that
they dared to do what others shrank
from, towards the development Of Alas
ka, and the increasing of the nations
wealth {