The Empire County argus., 1854-02-18
MINES AND MINING INTERESTS.

The subject of Mines, and Mining interests is at
present receiving attention at the hands of
the Legislature. In what respect it is intended to
bring the aid of the State to bear on this important
branch of our wealth and industry, we are unadv-
sed. Many persons however, are urging upon the
Legislature the necessity of passing some law which
will render the tenure to claims more perfect and
secure than that under which claims are now held
The principal argument adduced for such q law
or, indeed for any legislation on the subject, is,
that the miner feels want Of security in the Dos
session Of his claim; hence the migratory character
of cur people, and the absence of many a luxury
which surrounded Us in the older States. Although
this theory may appear plausible at the first glance
yet, on scrutiny, will prove to be falacious
1t is, we think, beyond dispute, that but moioty
of those engaged in mining operations, intend ma
king this State permanent home their leading
object being the accumulation of means sufficient to
put them beyond the reach of want when they re-
turn to their homes and families. Hence the alb
sence of nearly all the luxures, and the numerous
little adornments in the miners cabin, which help
make up the pleasant associations Of our former
homes. This transient character of our population
cannot be changed by any enactments of legislation
and can only be effected by the miners themselves
When those who come to this country. bring with
them their families, and their all, then will change
the condition or circumstances and the miner will
leave his migratory habits and gather around him
the necessary appliances for life Of comfort and
responsibility.
1t has been plausibly urged, that to make the
miner secure in his investment, it is necessary to
pass law whereby he obtain {, fee simple to
the land on which he mines; and also, that the
present usuructory laws relative TO possession &C.
cupancy and the working of claims are very unsafe,
as those holding claims might be disposscssed in
whole, or in part, by other persons
In the working Of the mines custom has made
laws by which the various localities shall be GOV
crned The Legislature recognised this right and
made the regulations adopted by miners to be the
law Of that district, subject, however, to the civil
law of the land. This, in opinion, is the true
policy to be pursued towards the mining interest
1t might be well, perhaps, to make the limits of
each mining district to correspond with the town
ship lines, and also make it obligatory on the mi
ners to meet once in each year, to revise and alter
their laws the necessity Of the various dicginps
may require.
1t should be borne in mind, that mining claims
can be considered in law, in no other light than
personal property from their perishabc nature In
coming to this decision the courts followed out the
only true doctrine relative to an interest on which
depends, in great degree the prosperity of our
State.
Our columns open to articles relative to the
ARRIVAL OF THE JoJtN L. SrErnEAs.-Wc are
indebted to the Fl Dorado Republican for an extra
containing the tclegraphic announcement Of the
arrival ofthe Mail Steamer John l.. Stephens The
news brought is interesting. We CLEAN the follow
ing:
The new Steamer San Francisco encountered a
gale on the morning of Dec 9th, about 200 miles
from Charleston which lasted several days She
had on board the third regiment of L. s. Artillery
besides their officers and other passengers besides
having Military Stores for California Over 200
persons lost ther lives from exposure and being
washed overheard. Among the lost are Col WASH
ington, Major Taylor and lady. Capt. Field. It. R.
H. Smith, and two ladies whose names are unknown.
Being in the track Of the gulf trade, the survivors
were rescued. The vessel is a total wreck
The splendid new hotel called the Lafargc House,
to which the Metropolitan Hall was attached, has
been totally destroyed by fire.
a block Of buildings in n. Y, known as the new
City Hall, were burnt down on the 10Th Of Jan.
Coy. Brown is elected U. s. Senator from Mis-
sissippi. The vacancy occurs in March, 1855
The Mail Routes to California have been under
Of Congress. The friends of the Mic
aragua route, weighing its claims to a share of
the mail transportation.
Nothing has been lately said in relation to the
Pacific Railroad, but it seems to he intmated that
President Fierce will veto any project forsuch ends
Gov. Foote comes to California for the purpose of
praccing law
Lord pamerston has returned to Office
The Porte has agreed to send an Envoy to q con-
ference Of the four northern Powers. the object Of
which is to restore peace if possible, but in the
mean time war GOES on in Asia Minor
Coy. Trias is reported to have pronounced against
Santa Anna il chihuahua.
The correspondence ofCount Raouset dc Bourbon
proposing the separation Of Sonora, Sinaloa and
Durango from Mexican Union has been Intercepted
and its publication has produced quite sensation
in Mexico
The onorous system Of taxation which Santa
Anna hnds necessary to adopt for the support of his