Glasgow weekly times. (Glasgow, Mo.) 1848-1861, 1850-04-25

pan or washer, a spade and pich.axe.
The employment Of machinery may.
perhaps, facilitate its collection, bat i;
is not essential. Every man is master
of his own movements. The case will
be very different with the vein mines,
which yet remain in the rock. 70 work
them successfully, will require machin.
cry, with horse or steam power, invov-
ing an expenditure Of capital in proper
ton 10 the extent of the operations.
No prudent man will make such in.
vestments, until his rights and privileges
shall have been clearly defined by law
10 the absence Of all legal regulation,
If man were 10 discover a vein mine.
and incur the expense of erecting ma.
chlnery 10 work it, any other person.
citizen or foreigner, might construct an
establishment alongside Of him, deprive
him of his discovery, and destroy the
value of his property. Hence it will
be perceived, that any law prescribing
the privileges and duties of miners.
shonId be so framed, as to secure the
rights OF all.
There is some fertile soil in the gold
region-bcautiful valleys and rich bill
sidcs-which, under circumstances ia.
vorable to agriculture, would undoubt
edly be valuable for that purpose; but
at present, and as long as the collection
OF gold shall continue 10 reward labor
so much more abundantly than the cul
tivatlon of the soil, the important mat.
ter to be considered, is, the proper
mode Of disposing Of the melaIic wealth
of the cuupTy.
The first step, in my opinion should
be TO reserve the entire region where
gold is found from the operation of the
pre- emption laws, and from sale, so that
1t may now be regarded as the common
treasure of the American people, and
hereafter as rich Inheritance to their
posterily. Then provide for the ap.
polnimCnt Of a commissioner Of the
mines, and "A sufficien, number of assis
lant commissioners to carry the law
into effect. Let the Office Of the COM
missioner be established at some point
convenient TO the mines, say Sacramen.
to city, and the Offices of his assistants
on the principal rivers, and in the most
productive districtss. Provide that
any and every American citizen, on
application al the office of the com.
missioner, or any Of his assistants, and
by paying one ounce, or SIG, or such
sum as may be considered ius, and pro.
per, shall be entitled 10 receive Iccnce
or rpermi, to dig any where in the Ter.
rltory for one year. Provide, also, that
any one who shall discover, or purchase
of the discovcrcr, vein mine; shall be
entitled 10 work it, TO a certain extent.
under proper regulations, on navinn
TO the commissioner such per cent, on
The proceeds Of the mine as may be a
suitable tax on the privilege granted.-
1t will be necessary also TO allow the
miner TO cut and use such timber and
other building materials as his business
requires; and also 10 allow those who
WoIk under permits the privilege Of
erecting cabins for shelter through the
winter. Authorize the Commissioner
10 lay out sites for towns in convenient
situations to the mines, and offer the lots
for sale, reserylng the metals and min.
eraI, so that those who make mining a
permanent pursuit may accumulate
around them the comforts and enjoy.
ments OF civilized life. Let those wh ho
desire 10 cultivate gardens or farm lots
be accommodated. Ii will be necessa.
ry also to authorize the sale Of timber
and other materials for building and
other purposes. There may be other
suggestions which do not now occur to
me, but no doubt will Ia those mo NAV
be charged with the preparation of any
me asure which may be brought for.
ward on this subject.
have suggested one ounce or SIG
as the price Of a permit oflcence To dig
or collect gold for one year. This !
regard as about the average value of
one days labor in the mines. This tax
on fifty thousand miners, The probable
number for ls5l--it will give 81, GOO.
900, besides the per cen,um on the vein
mines, and the sum received for town
lots, timber, &c, which would proba.
bly, swell the amount TO at least $4,000.
600. Any variation in the tax impos.
ed will, of course, increase or diminish
the climate.
A suitable amount Of the money thus
collected should be expended in con.
structing roads and bridges TO facilitate
communication to and through the min.
ing districts.
These facilities will so reduce the
cost of living in the mines, that the min.
ers will gain instead Of lose by paying
the tax. These are accommodations
which the miners themselves will never
provide, because of the want of concern
of action among them sufficient to ac.
complish such objects, but for which
they will willingly pay any moderate