The times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1890-1903, 1897-11-21

gold. would give food and ra.sIent 70
about fifty thousand human beings VINO
may otherwise suffer. beneht the tatm-
er. merchant. and manuiactuI,r ana NJ
tho lowest estimate, add annually 10 our
circulating medium from three Iniiiions
TO five millions of dollars or the best
money this world ever knew. IN ali
gold producing countries the placer nlh's
are first to be worked as the cost OF
putting placer mine In succcSsfut ope-
ration Is so much less thnn that OF ~
quartz mine and i'm many instances tho
most valuable quartz mines are discoN-
SIea by placer mining. Here IN virginia
IN those days Of profitable mining her
placer mines yielded the greater part OF
the gold made, although some quartz
mines were extensively and proiltably
WORKED. Gold mining is n cash business.
4, Nhen me days work is done, You have
inc bullion In your pocket. There Is no
worry about market for 81. no fear OF
discount upon H. and no trouble about
high freights, transportation. etc To
start gold mining here upon "a paying
basis. would suggest tho formation OF n
company TO be composed OF men favor
able 10 the development Of our great
resources, favorable 10 tho employment
Of our working people and favorable 10
the right kind OF "A currency. The COM
pany should lease the properties FOR a
number OF years, pay the owners a roy
atty upon the amount OF gold produced
and the placer mines should be tho first
NHfA uAfus L WHY lNiNAAAi9 diAANtu nero
from a prospecting tour. over the gold
regions of Virginia and having had the
advantage Of the late low water and
dry seasons in examining the sands and
gravel OF our large streams, l am more
thoroughly convinced of the vast wealth
OF our gold fields. With tho many advan-
tages Virginia has over other gOld-min-
ing countries. I'm tho location OF mines.
mild climate. cheap and abundant labor,
cheap supplies. etc, the maximum cost
- Inc oil
full operation, would not exceed ten dol
lars 10 the man employed. SO, there
need be no cry Of the scarcity Of money
10 start this work.
Having made this brief statement Mr..
Editor, | hope somo good may BIO the
result. OF course I do not expect what
| have said 10 be read with any degree Of
interest by free silver. high tariff advo-
Gates, as their policy would stop the
production OF gold in the greatest gold
producing countries of the world and
eventually stop the production OF silver,
/. G., II the working man is Co receive
his just reward in the rise Of wages in
proportion to the rise In the neccssarics
or life. No business can be made a. sue
cess If the cost Of production exceeds
the value OF the product God in His
Infinite wisdom gave us natural laws by
which 10 be governed. and IL we keep
within the bounds OF His care, the de-
signing politician and every other draw
back TO the progress Of our country will
cease to exist and our working people will
have regular and remunerdtive employ
mcnt. our lands which are productive
OF everything necessary for tho support
OF mankind, VIII be dotted most every
where with thrifty. happy homes, and
old Virginia take her place In the ranks
Of the great gold producing countries of
VIM. r. KIRTLEY.
Richmond. Va, Nov -, 1897.