San Andreas independent., 1856-12-06
Fer the San Andreas Independent.
The Law for the Protection of Ranch

The Law for the Protection of Ranches.
Ncssrs. Editors When any law is
passed for the protection of particular
class Of the community, it is very apt to
interfere directly or indirectly, with the
pretended or real interests OF some other
class of citizens. Such is the case in re-
gard to the law ''for the protection of
ranches" While it serves to protect the
ranchmen, it interferes with the actual in
terests of the miner; and when we take
into consideration that the miners are the
bone ard sineac of the State-that they
may be properly called the producing
class Of the country, without whom the
State would in manner become depopu-
lated, it would appear that any law should
be discontinued which is calculated to in
terfere in the least with their rights, privil-
eges, and interests. And, if we looked
alone to the present prosperity of the mi
ner, and TO all the advantages which cir
cumstances might throw in his favor while
following his honorable and laborious oc-
cupation, we would undoubtedly call aloud
for the immediate repeal of the 'Ranch
Law" But the miner does not surely re-
quire, or expect, that his interests should
be protected to the exclusion OF all other
occupations. The ranchman follows an
honorable, laborious and useful occupation
also, one which requires an outlay of capi-
tai and long months Of toll to place his
lot of ground in suitable state of culti-
walton, and when he brings his little Eden
to blossom as the rose" which serves as a
source of pleasure and interest to himself,
it is also a source Of convenience and ne
cessity to all portions of the community.
1t is a self-evident fact which stares us in
the face whatever way we turn, that the
agriculturist, in the mines of California,
as well as in all other portions of the
world, are directly benefit and bless
ing to all classes of citizens, whatever oc-
cupation they may follow. Such being
the case, Is there any enc who will deny
but that they are entitled to and actually
deserve some degree of protection? 1t is
possible the present law may be amended;
if so, and the protection now guaranteed
should be taken away, what will be given
them instead +? At present they demand
security for damage that may be done the
crop and Improvements; "procided, moth
ing in this Act shall prevent miners from
working any mineral lands in the State.
after the growing crops on the same are
harvested" If understand the law, the
ranchman receives damage for the loss ac-
tually incurred and no more. IF they
have less protection than that, what will
it be, and what is it worth to them If
| am correctly informed, the ranchman
can, without any statute law whatever.
bring suit and obtain Judgment for DANA
ages by the common law alone, for any
injury actually done the same, as he can
now by statute; the only difference, by
the present law, he is sure of recovering
damage; by the common law he can OBJ
tain judgment without any certainty of
ever being able to collect the same.
But there is another view of the sub
ject; we desire population not of that
unsettled, migratory kind, which comes
here for the purpose of remaining one or
two years, and making their "pile," who
dig few months, meet with bad luck,
d-n the country and leave it, or in their
desperation resolve to remain, and exc out
their existence, without any higher ambi-
tion than merely to live and breathe, make
grub,' cook it themselves, live in the
dirt, spend the remainder of their time
hanging around the public saloons, without
one ray Of hope to brighten the future and
stimulate them to look forward to better
and happier day coming, when they will
fulfill the great duty which every man
owes to his God, his country, and himself;
and last, but not least, to the fairer por-
tion Of human nature-the female sex
Our population should be of permanent
character; and inducements should be
held out for emigrants who hereafter come