The weekly Placer herald., 1854-01-28

THE MINER's MEETING At OPHIR.-
At a miners meeting held at Ophir on
Sunday last, numerous resolutions were
passed which have been forwarded 10 US
for publication, but owing to their num-
Der and length we are only able to publish
those which we insert below and the spirit
Of these we are compelled to dissent 10.
1t will he seen that the first resolution
condemns the Bear river company for
having had arrested the parties who tore
away the company's dam on Dutch
Ravinc.
Now what are the facts and causes
which led to this arrest, and what course
have the company pursued in dealing with
the miners on Dutch Ravine. The facts
are easily stated:--
The company in first running their line
Of survey out of Dutch ravine found that
4 small ditch claim had prior right by
"notce" but not by survey, but to quiet
all title to the line the Bear river COM
pany paid the local company $4,000 for
their right, and to quiet all difficulty.
withstandng the dam of the COM
pany was frequently torn away, by some
unknown parties without just cause or
provocation; and the company, to satisfy
miners in the ravine, proposed that they
(the mners,) should select three men
who should at all times determine the
amount of water in the ravine, and have
control Of the same.
Thus matters moved on harmoniously
until about the first Of last month, when
sectional meeting was called, in which
il was resolved that the dam should be
removed unless the company granted to
the miners so many inches Of water until
tho lst Of July next, which in the total
would amount to about $500 at a far
computation. The company refused to
acceed to this demand, but allowed them
all the natural water which was claimed.
But Notwithstanding their dam and fumes
were cut away, in violation of a law.
The damage, however, was Immediately
repaired by some of the miners on Dutch
ravine and those of New Castle, and who
complained that they had been materially
injured by the cutting Of the dam.
If the Bear River Company had set up
a claim to all the natural water in Dutch
ravine, or in the Big Auburn ravine, then
there might have been some plausbiity
for the cOndemnatOry resolutions of the
Ophir meeting, but such a pretenson is
altogether foreign to the acts of the com
pany. The right of the miners to the
natural water Of any natural ravine which
ho hos al
been acknowledged, and therefore when
the rights of the company were invaded
and their property destroyed, an appeal
WAS made to the legal authorities, and the
officers were bound to take cognizance
of the fact, for the laws Of the land had
been violated.
So far as regards ourself we have no
personal feeling in this matter. From
what we know of the Bear river company
we believe the members of it are disposed
to deal fairly and justly with the miners,
and it is a certain fact that if the company
extend to individuals their legitimate
rights, then, the rights Of the company
cannot be invaded. A law abiding course
is certainly better for all parties interest
ed, and more in accordance with good
sense and reason.
Resolred, That the recent act Of the Bear
River company, in arresting and imprisoning
the three miners of Dutch ravn was an act
Of oppression unwarranted and without
parallel. aud that the miners aforesaid were
exercising their natural and legal rights as
guaranteed to them by all mining laws and
usages.
Resolued. That q committee be appointed
to wait upon the agents Of the Bear River
company, and request them to remove their
dams from the Big Auburn ravine and the
Dutch ravine and place fumes across the
same for the purpose of conveying their own
water over said ravines, thereby allowing
the natural water of the ravnes to how un-
obstructed.
Resolred That two weeks time be given to
the Bear River company to remove their
dams, and erect fumes, during which time.
they shall allow the natural water of the
ravin-s to flow down; and furthermore if the
Bear River company refuse our just demands
in this matter. we, the miners of Ophir and
sdjoinng districts will exercise our rights by
removing the obstructions ourselves