The Nevada journal., 1854-01-06
BUILDING LOTS IN THE MINES.

of this messag., with its merctriclous glare, and alb
sense of great aims.
BUILDING LOTS IN THE MINES.
The San Francisco Evening Journal of q recent
date has an article in relation to building lots in
the mining towns, designed to operate on the men,
bers of the Legislature, many Of whom, it seems,
were at the time in that city. tstrongly complains
Of some city contemporary for interfering with that
which is of no interest to them and essays to in.
struct the legislature in their duties in regard to
the matter. We would not wonder if that journal
were equally culpable of appearing to dictate in
matter that had better be left to those imme.
diatsly acquainted with the wants Of the localities
interested. s.
The Journal seems TO think the mining region can
yet boast Of no better tenements than clap.board
shanties, which are built at little or no expense
and which can be torn down and removed
at willard that the numerous familiesswho have
congregated here should be driven from their shan
ties and exposed to the winter storms of the noun
tains, to punish them I'VE other reason)
for their temerity in venturing far from home In
every point it to u.s. the article is founded in
error. There may be exceptions. in which cases
tuc mOuIlLdlu LOWHb arc IIlHQ6 Vi
ais and for temporary use. But these few excep-
tions will not justify general destruction of all the
Town property in the mines. Neither is there any
general custom that exsmpts frai, temporary camp
ing grounds from the miners pick and shovel; and
the moment the pretended occupant begins to dig,
he by that act declares it mining ground, and is
stricted to the ordinary claim. Here are great
numbers of excellent buildings - not clap p-board
shantes altogether but fire proof brick and frame
buildings of the best cass-occupied either by fam
lilies of women and children, by men doing a le-
gitimate business, without which the miners them
selves would soon find themselves destitute of the
common necessaries oflife.
More than this, the mine-s-with few excep-
tions of men of the most selfish and short-sighted
character-would sooner abandon the mines and
support themse by raising potatoes than inter
rupt the influx of society that has much improved
their condition within the last two years-and with
out a right to build residences, it would be sheer
folly for men to hazard bringing their families
hero no one would do it; and confusion worse than
that Of so and 81 would be the consequence.
But again the statement that the mining towns
are apt to cover the best mining grounds is badly
exaggerated. They usually built before the ex-
tent of the mines is fairly known, and for this
will sometimes cover ground that otherwise would
pay expenses to work; but in their location,
there is no such object to interrupt the miners
the town being erected for the mutual Convenience
of the miner and profit of the trader. The hypothe
sis that men would build one clap-Loard shanty
after another to hold mining claims, is ridiculous
and would indicate that the writer has but faint
idea of the customs among miners, or the effect such
an operation would have on the pockets Of the
experimenter. Such resort, if followed up would
prove ruinous, as the shdnties which hold towr
lots, usually cost not less than $500. and Otter
$4,000 much cheaper and more expeditions way
of acquiring large claims has occurred to the miners
That of getting their friends to take them up, ant
then get transfer.
The natural inference on reading such an article
is, that tho writer either belongs to company VIII
contemplate appropriating to their own use som'
valuable town property for mining purposes, or in
duced to advocate such doctrine by others who ar
in that fix. No one surely, VINO has the permanen
good of the State ct heart could go before the Law
makers of our State and advocate such doctrine,
less he would be satisfied to forgo all the security
comforts and happiness of civilized society.
| There are few men in California, whose selfs
propensities will not allow them to respect tn
rights of others, and would willingly embark in a
experiment of doubtful policy to themselves,
there were possibility Of gaining any thing by tn
experiment, while they could have the gratificatio
of seriously injuring others. Make it lawful to uE
turn and destroy all town lots for mining purposes
and it would be special qualification to such, t
pitch into the most valuable lots to be found, an
while in many cases they would not get enough
pay their living expenses-they would destroy tn
property of another to the amount of perhaps $4,000
But the Journal should remember that Congress
has secured to the occupants of such grounds IT,
right to occupy and use the same, unmolested, unit
that authority fit to make further disposition
them; and it would ilbecome the legislators OF Be
nicia to attempt to set aside the decisions Of tha
body.
MOUNTAIN SUMMIT Cove visited o
Thursday these diggings, situated on Nance
nita; Hill, Nevada. Probably there are
cayote diggines in this State that are worke