The Laramie Republican

WORTHLESS MINING STOCKS.
A New York dispatch tells of the activity of the United States postoffice authorities in connection with a number of firms doing a stock brokerage business on the curb on Broad street.
Complaints have been received from nearly every state in the country that circulars advertising worthless mining stocks are being sent through the mails. The charge of fraudulent use of the mails will be made and many of the circulars will be kept from further distribution through the postoffice.
How specious the promises of these circulars are is indicated by the statement that if the mines represented by these stocks actually yielded the amounts of gold, silver and copper described for the luring of hopeful souls the market would be swamped with such metals. That the sellers are busy all over the United States is evidenced by the extent of the territory from which the complaints have come to the postal authorities. It is reasonable to think, too, that they would not be so aggressive unless the returns from their advertising campaign were satisfactory.
To put them out of business, therefore, will require something more than the action of the postoffice department. There must be co-operation all along the line. Those who have been buying must be taught to spend their money otherwise. The "get rich quick" companies are being exposed all the time, but their sure support is the hope which springs eternal in the heart of the individual that he may be the lucky man to share in a rich strike in some far off mine.
Some miners have made lucky strikes in the past. There have been nuggets and bonanzas. But the chances are slim enough that any such fortune will be shared with those who spend their money for stocks of no established market value, sold on the curb as gambling ventures or disposed of to expectant buyers in distant cities and towns. Credulous Americans have been cheated right and left by the venders of worthless mining stocks. There would be general astonishment if the number of losers were known. Most of them are silent about their losses. They need a little protection, and it is well that the postoffice department should give them some by getting after the fellows who are flooding the country with their enticing promises of enormous dividends from imaginary mines.
-Chicago Tribune.