Tazewell Republican. [volume] (Tazewell, Va.) 1892-1919, 1898-08-04
The KIondike Output.
Philadelphia Prcss.l

Philadelphia fress'l
1t is difficult to decide whether the dis
appointing reports printed concerning the
Klondike output of gold for the season are
true or whether they are put out Tor Ell:
feet. When the season opened it was con-
fidentlv predicted that the yield would be
from $40, 600, 900 to $50, 100000 in gold
Some placed it as high as $40,OOO,OOO'
But now good authorities are claiming
that the product of the mines will not ag-
gregate over SIS, OOO,O0O and that it may
fall as low as $lO,0O0,O00. If the latter
claim is justified and no good explanation
is given it will be concluded that either
the richness of the Klondike mines had
been exaggerated or that the difficulties
of mining had been underestimated.
There are come arguments going to
prove that the output may be found to be
$40, COO, 900 as was estimated early IN the
season. A Klondike correspondent of the
San Francisco ''Chronicle" claims that it
will be, and while his reasons do not ar
que we'll for the honesty of the miners
they are worthy of notice. He asserts
that the policy-of the Canadian Govern
ment in demanding royalty of 10 per
cent. on all the gold mined in the Domin-
f0n has led many of the miners to conceal
the full amount of their earnings. Up to
June the amount collected on this tax by
the Government was stated to be $3.50, 900,
which would mean product of less than
ST 900, 900. Whether enough more has
been concealed by the miners and pro-
duced on United States territory to carry
the output to $15,O0O,000 or over is a
question.
There are reasons to explain the dis
appointment in the amount Of gold mined
in the Klondike, if there really turns out
to be a disappointment The war with
Spain has drawn much attention away
from the Klondike and changed the plans
of MANY men who intended to 60 there.
The expeditions to the Philippine Islands
have offered a field to the adventurous on
the Pacific Coast who otherwise would
have found field in the Klondike. This
left the numbers of miners less than was
anticipated. Then, the difficulties of min
ing were also underestimated, it is proba-
bic. These were not fully realized by the
thousands who heard only of the sacks of
gold dust brought back and who imagined
that it was necessary only to dig to find
the nuggets. A third reason given for the
,small output is the insuficiency of nour-
ishing food.
But no one Of these reasons or all OF
them put together prove that the Klon'
dixie region is not to become great min
ing camp and probably the richest in the
world. The work done so far is only pre-
liminary. The surface has been scratched
and the difficulties found out. With the
proof that there is gold in that Territory
and in paving quantities the means of get
ting there and Of working the placers will
certainly be improved. Methods for over
coming the rigors of the climate will be in
troduced and means of communication
will be made quicker and safer. The Cana
dian Government may also see see the"wis-
dom of annulling the Law laying tax Of
10 per cent. OH all GOLD mined and which
acts as a damper on enterprise. But
where there is gold to be had ways will
be found to get it and the Klondike region
will be found to be no exception.
There is no better way to clear away
the difficulties than to fully understand
them. The past season has shown the
perils and obstacles in the way of getting
to the Klondike. The trials to overcome
after miner has reached there are not so
we'll known. Subsistence is one of the
chief difficulties. With meals costing
50. so each, cigars SO cents, eggs So q dozen,
oranges 81 each, pure water so cents q
bucket, new potatoes 81 pound, fresh
meat 81 pound and flour 81 to $40 a
sack the price of living can be estimated.
Another reason that may be influential is
that the authorities enforce Sunday OBJ
servance Law and any person convicted OF
Iaboring on the Sabbath day ia fined SIS.
All gambling places, stores, sawmilis and
mines are rigid!y closed on Sunday. The
future of the Klondikc as a mining coun-
try is assured. With the close of the war
with Spain number Of adventurous
spirits will be released and seeking field
of operations. There can be no doubt
thut Alaska will receive from them its due
attention and that the output of gold will
increase accordingly.