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Show PRECIOUS METALS AND THEIR USE. The estimate of the yield of gold in the United States for 1905 by the director of the U. S. mint ; is $88,377,700, an increase of $6,000,000 over 1904. I Of course the estimate is not correct, but approx- ' imately so. The yield of silver is given at $58,- 938,355, a gain of $600,000 over the previous year. This last yield would have been twice as great had our nation handled the silver question as France and Mexico did between 1873 and 1893. From it people may estimate how much the western wes-tern miners have lost and are losing because oc interest-gatherers in the years named. The principle prin-ciple increase has been from Alaska and most of that from the Tanona district, on a tributary of the Yukon river, and which is said to be in the very heart of the mighty possession. We believe the estimate for Nevada is too low, it being given at only $4,700,000 in gold and $6,000,000 in silver. There is certainly a mistake somewhere, and it probably comes through ore that has been shipped ship-ped away for reduction being credited to the states that have the reduction works. The figures given show how mighty is the annual reinforcement reinforce-ment which the precious metal mines supply to the country, what a vitalizing force they are to the business of the republic. It is created wealth that is permanent. The country eats up or ships away its corn and wheat crops, it wears out or ohips out the cotton crop, but the gold and silver are immortal. And the amount of those metals held in circulation in any country is a barometer through which to measure the business and power of that country. When we come to add the other metals and minerals, the copper, lead, iron and the rest, the fact is forced upon us that if, in such a land, there is ever a great panic, then there must be a recklessness reck-lessness in the handling of the splendid land's treasures which is an impeachment of the good sense of the leading financiers of the country, or criminal extravagance on the part of those who cause more than the yield of all the precious metal mines to be transferred annually to the old world. This truth supplies the very strongest argument for advocating "See America first." The amount of money spent by the American wealthy classes , in Europe annually is a matter of material con cernment. We lay a tariff on many things brought to this country from abroad. We are not certain but we should deal with rich people going abroad as many countries treat the export of gold make them report how much money they propose pro-pose to take with them or draw against, and levy a tax on the amount. Seriously, we believe it would be economy for the United States government govern-ment to expend $20,000,000 per annum for ten years in building art schools and art palaces and filling them with the choicest works of art that i could be bought in the old world, until the rich of Europe would be turned this way to see the natural and acquired wonders of our country. There is a steady balar e of trade in our country's favor annually, an-nually, but it is more than half absorbed in paying pay-ing to foreign steamship companies fares, to foreign for-eign hotels and in buying curios and works of art. An old miner died here a few days ago who had accumulated three or four distinct fortunes, and cumulated three or four distinct fortunes, and who, when he made a strike, proceeded to blow the fortune in, doing no more work until it was all gone. A great many people called him a monumental mon-umental idiot, but do some of our very wealthy citizens make a much beter showing? Is it any worse to buy good American whisky than to purchase pur-chase a corrupt foreign count? "What fools these mortals be!" |