The times., 1897-07-30
JONES TALKS ON MINING.
The Nevada Senator Volunteers
Advice to Gold Prospectors.
BASED ON WIDE EXPERIENCE
a Statesman's Idea as to What Is
Due From the Government for
Men Digging Into the Earth for
Gold-Hopes to See Congress
Take Prompt Action.

| Senator Jones, OF New ada, who has gone
to New York for few days, from which
metropolis he will at once return to the
(, West. Is an old. miner of experience. His
| long career as statesman has not caused
| him to forget the years OF toll, when with
a pick and other paraphernalia of the
| prospec:or, he trudged over the mountains
| OF California, poked holes here and there
in pay dirt.
| Il have always believed said he TO n
| Times reporter, THAT we should find gold
in Alaska. Practically an undiscovered
country, we know but little of its value,
and it will be some time before we arc
acquainted with the enormous wealth Of
that part or our territory. Climatic con
ditions must be overcome, and engineering
bas q field there in which to show its
marvellous skill. and until this is done
mining VIII probably not be conducted on
an extensive scale. The returns so far
from the territory indicate quite plainly
that to that territory win We look in the
future for the yellow III etai asst as were
the amounts of gold taken from the earth
in California, do not believe they VIII ap-
proximate the discoveries that are Still!
to be made in Alaska. With untold wealth
OF gold and coal, and oil iii abundance. our
Government certainly builded better thanit
knew when 1T purchased Alaska from Rus
sia for the paltry sum of a little more
than 81 600, ,0oo.
AS an old miner / might be able to give
some advice TO those who may be about to
seek their fortunes in that cold country In
the first place no man should make the
venture unless he is bless ed with vigorous
Constitution and the best of health. Moth
ing short of this, however great may DC
his grit and nerve, will enable him to cope
With the rigCrs OF the Alaskan weather.
He should have plenty of clothing of the
right sort. One can dress to keep out the
cold, and clothing intended for that pur-
pose here does not answer the purpose iD
that extreme western latitude
"By far one of the most important mat
ters to be considered is that of food
/ should not think OF going 10 the Yukon
country ander present conditions with
less than years supply of provisions
on hand lt should be remembered that
in cold countries more food is needed
tnan here, and that it must be of q
quality capable of generating animal heat.
The human engine cannot run without IT'S
supply or fuel, and he who goes to Alaska
without considering that ques tion Is
bound TO suffer serious consequences.
Hundreds seem To be preparing to make
| this race for gold totally unmindful of
the subject OF requis ite dot hing or
proper provisions.
Where one man may possibly be sup
pied with ample food there will he num-
bers of others Miners are hoSpitable,
and no true man would lock up his stores
and see his fellow starve- Even were
he disposed so TO do, the law OF might
would probably prevail, and he would be
compelled to divide his supplies. Under
the best possible conditions, l lool, for
much suffering and many deaths. for
men who make this Journey in search of
gold are. in many cases. literally enter
ing the jaws OF death
Were 1T Inclined to do Co. Congress can.
not sit until December, and by that tiIne
it vii! be too late to assist those now
rushing to that frozen country. 1 hope
to see Congress eventually authorize the
construction OF series Of storehouses in
the Yukon country, and stock them with
the things needful for the miners, to be
hadby them at reasonable mot exhol bitant
prices. The gold taken from the ground
inIres to the benefit OF this country, and
the Government ought to see that it ex-
ercises some care and protection over the
men engaged in wrestling that metal from
the embraces of the frozen soils OF the
North. Legislation to this end will be
prepared, and 1 hope to see it enacted.
Whether engineering can make the
progress across that rugged and glacial
country less dangerous or more speedy is
a question that cannot now be answered,
but the Government could at least avail
itself of such means of travel as nature
affords. II relays of sledge teams win
serve the purpose, they should be estab-
lished. In short, whatever will add To
the safety of our citizens In that new
country should be undertaken on the theory
that whatever is accomplished by them
will be for the general good of the whole
land"