The evening times., 1900-01-06

tioning any wreckfng of property or plant.
Whether or not the Tecklessness and law
lessness of the lower elements OF the COM
munity could be restrained is quite an
other matter. For the present it is likely
that some OF the mines will be worked for
the gold needed by the Boer Government,
and that such work will be so prosecuted
as to yield the largest immediate returns.
Only the richest ore is likely 10 be taken.
regardless of good practice or ultimate
economy; no attention TO maintenance or
repairs can be expected; it will. beyond
question, be systematic robbing of the
mine and driving of the machinery TO
death. The removal from the country OF
most OF the competent mining engineers
would prevent any general continuance Of
the Industry
AS for the neglected mines. they will
not suffer as seriously as would be the case
in some other localities or in different for
nations. Water is not so troublesome as
in many other mining districts. and the
mines could be pumped out and operations
resumed without inordinate expense. IN
this regard the Witwatersrand is much
more favorably conditioned than Kimber-
ley. The mines themselves-the under
ground workings-afe, of course. not much
subject to damage. They will remain. and
will be reopened and eventually worked IN
has heretofore existed.
Benefits to Accrue.
While it is to- be regretted that the de-
sired economic reforms could not have
been attained by peaceful means. there
can be no doubt that, having regard TO the
financial aspect. the drastic measures f.
nally adopted will be ultimately OF far
greater benefit than the economic reforms
which otherwise would have been grudg-
ingly granted. The amelioration Of condi-
tions, consequent upon good government
Will most materially enhance the value OF
the properties of the Witwatersrand dis
trict Not only will there be direct saw
ing per ton of ore treated. but the tonnage
OF payable ore will be thereby considerably
increased.
The sum of shillings per ton would be
a conservative estimate OF the direct and
indirect benefits OF good government This
saving would be equivalent TO an enhanced
profit per claim of G7.5OO to &120o0. and
would result in an increase OF annual divi-
dends by G2. 199. .434. based on last years
tonnage OF ore crushed.
The mining economies directly secured
by the removal of the present abuses will
be in connection with the cheapening of
costs OF mining supplies, especially of dy-
Mantle; with the suppression Of the traffic
in stolen amalgam and gold and with the
improvement In the labor situation with
which is closely connected the regulation
of the traffic in liquor. which as it has
been illicitly carried on. has been a costly
item TO the mining companies and the
cause as well. Of many accidents The ex-
cessive cost of dynamite has been the sub
ject OF much discussion and requires no
additional comment. Less prominence
however. has been given to the other
points mentioned The traffic in stolen
amalgam and gold is extensively carried
on. and its suppression by the cooperation
Of an honest and competent government
would result in large addition 20 the rev
enues of the mining companies. II can
exist only through the neglect and indif-
ference of the government officials. Prop
er regulations. properly put into effect |
with a suitable detective force would make |
il as impossible to rob the gold mining !
as it is to rob the diamond |
mines In Kimberley.
The Labor Question
The labor question has been Of the !
greatest Importance in the district The !
inadequate supply Of native labor has ne
,essitated the undue use Of machine drills |
n mining. resulting in the breaking Of a !
arge proportion Of the barren ground. and |
n the creation Of waste in the ore-which |
has. in turn, caused a diminution in value |
During the continuance of the conditions |
heretofore existing no improvement in the 1
abor situation could be expected.
The trouble is not in any lack OF suita- /
Die material. Black labor is 10 be had /
n any quantity. under proper conditions.
md the best OF 1t is excellent in quality
The trouble is that conditions have been
% bad that none but the lowest element |
y The blacks would submit to working in
he Transyaal. and even these hardly at J
III except under pressure OF absolute ne !
essity. Abuse eXtOrtion. enforced labor /
N the farms without pay. trickeTy rob \
'eTy OF their accumulated earnings BY I
3Oers-these have not attracted the negro /
o the South African Republic No doubt
he regulation Of political conditions as
'etween the two races is a difficult one
'ut the Boer of the Transvaal has not |
ven approached it. Oppression Of the
lacks has ruined the labor supply OF the
and not the Ieas, benefit
4 good, honest, and just government
yill be the amelioration Of conditions in
his respect.
There has been. heretofore. not only |
ack of good legislation. but utter laXitv In
he enforcement of such law as there is
% this is attributable the deplCrabIe con- |
itlon as regards the liquor traffic The !
tatutes are nearly prOhibitive so far as
ne sale OF liquors TO natives is concerned |
ut there Is not even pretence Of enfOrc-
ng them. 1t is no uncommon sight 20 see.
n Sunday afternoon. a hundred Kaffirs |
1iseraoly intoxicated, with broken heads.
nd eyes nearly knocked out as the result
drunken fights. The liquor is an abom
naoie whisky of local manufacture. made
nd supplied often by the very men who !
reach religion and temperance TO the ne
rO.
The peculiarly bad conditions affecting
he mining industry are confined to the
ransvaal. In the other Dutch republics |
uch fragrant abuses do not exist. and the
onsequent change in governmental con-
itions will be correspOndngly less. But
here will be an indirect benefit at Kimber-
y from reduced cost Of political admins
ration, which will not be without iniu-
nee.
Fight for Progress.
Whatever the outcome OF the present |
truggle. England's statesmen must not |
nd will not forget their aim. nor be blind
d to it by greed Of acquisition. The
oers are struggling for independence. as
hey conceive it. Their fatal mistake has
cen in seeking independence to do wrong.
highlands mistake would be equally fatal
she attempted anything but the good of
ny territory coming under her control
1T must be understood that there is no.
here a people moV capable of self gov
rnment than the better element of the
outh African white colonists. nor auv
lore determined to secure the ends of
reedom, justice, and equality for ALI the