Year: 1866

'erienced superiptendents to open and con- o
luct the mines to profitable develop b
nent. So many instances are to be not c
iced of money thrown away in the ercc- |
ton of mills before the mines had been I
fully proved. and where the event showed <
how truly "haste makes waste or where
the site selected for the mill. or for the
works for getting out the rock, we're so
manifestly the result of gross igunorance
or equally objectionable carelessness, that
it would appear as if too much stress
could not be laid upon the Importance of
selecting none but men who understand
their business No greater mistake can
be made than to suppose that the details
of mining can be learned in a brief period |
by almost any one who feels inclined.
No man ought to be trusted in charge Of
mine who has not had several months
experience in their practical working.
| doubt if there is any business were ac. !
tual experience is more necessary than in
mining. and particularly IL that kind OF
mining where the metal sought is found
only in combination with sulpurets, and
the roasting" process is essential. AS
| have before taken occasion to remark,
when it is possible to unite to great exper-
fence in the working and practical man
agemeont of mills and mines, thorough
and exhaustive scientific knowledge Of
mining, together with information as to
the latest and most approved methods OF
reduction and the treatment of refractory
ores, it is without doubt the best superin,
tedency which the development Of min
ing interest could be cou6jed but such PEI
sous are rarely to be found, and it is not
to be expected that every mine should be
able to command such manager, ant
next to this union OF practical and scicn
ti6c knowledge i'll one person. skoul'
pl ace the services Of some honest and thor
oughIy trustworthy miner who has haC
an exteuedcd d experience in subordinat


capacity. feel assured that there are pleu


ty Of men now at work with pick and sho


el as common laborcrs in mines, who ar


really far more competent to lie trusted t


manage the working Of the mills al,


mines than those nomiually in charge


who are often il not generally, compelle
to rely eutirly upon the souLd sense an
=, practical experience of their foremen o


some other of their assistants. The tin


uncial management can be iptrusted t


any intelligent Eastern business man, an


such would be fit men for the position


the financial conduct OF the bushes


should in all cases be entirely aside flol
: the working superinintendency of tn


mine and while the superintendent


should be quite free to work the mine


his own way. without check or hinderah'
:, it should be insisted upon that all expel


ditures should he under the oversight an


control of the financial agent, who mu
he we'll persuaded of the real necessity
" every expense incurred, and should be


responsible to the company who emplC
= him as the cashier of bank. There h
been far too much latitude permitted
the agents of Eastern companies 10 Il


mater of exercising discretionary pow
= over what was aud was not necessary


the successful working of the mines. Is
, companies organized at the East. it a


pears to me, have been tco desirous of lar


immediate returns Gn order that th
might perhaps run up the value OF t
stock 10 the maj ket and unload, y to
ahead patiently and hopefully and ma
permanent. dividend paying security
:: their iuve itment. The instances are 1


merous where large costly mills have be
=, erected upon the most cursory and trliii
4 examination Of the lode, aud now tn
"a servive only as monuments illustrating
folly of their owners, aud warnings
:. others not to attempt the same thing.


10 conclude, 50 far as regards the Sill


mines of Nevada very great opportunlt
~ exist for profitable investment in min


properties, but in the great majority
instances it would be safer and better
ar


~. permit the mines to rmain unworkcd VI
81, by the completion of the Pacific Railr'


the cost Of freights, aud expenses Of
kinds, shall have been so much redu


as to permit rock to be worked which