San Andreas independent., 1856-11-15
The Ranch Act.
SAN AsDREAs, October 4th, 1856.

So much has been said during the late
canvass about the Act /" for the protection
of ranches" that we are prompted to
publish it for the information of those
who do not know the merits of the law
The Act is certainly oppressive to the mi
ming interests of this county, but whether
the injury sustained by the miner is equiva-
lent to the benefits extended to the ran
chero, we are not prepared to say.
Mining is our first and almost our only
interest; if we embarrass its operations,
we sap the life-blood of financial existence
Yet there is a purer element walled in
by the charms of refinement and love of
home-in our existence, which money can
not buy or wealth sway; that is the uni
versal desire to have some garden spot, to
retire from the cares of the world, "under
our own vine and fig tree" where the
miners pick or woodman's axe cannot
approach. This hope, so devoutly wished
for, is as old as time itself, and is an ingre-
dient of our nature, planted there regard
less of position or circumstances-youn or
old, rich or poor, we all hope, some day, to
have home of our own; the thought can
not be banished, and law must protect it.
The cottage of the poor man amidst the
willows, must be protected by the opera
tions of the law, the same as the Iordfy
mansion, surrounded by the rare exotics of
foreign lands.
If we do not protect these garden spots,
we crush out the most generous impulses
that govern us in our weary journey through
life, we blight the hopes of those who are
endeavoring to introduce "wife, children
and friends" among us, and we might add
sisters-in-law too. Our greatest want is
population; a refined and cultivated popu-
lation, of all classes, male and female, who
will build up homes among us. We are
tired of seeing that class, who appear to
have no higher aspirations than to vote,
chew tobacco, drink whisky and play crib
bage. We are tired of seeing the miner
work hard all week-washing clothes, ba-
king bread and making pudding on Sunday.
We wish to see change in these matters;
and the only way to make the change, is
to legislate so that the miner will have
"home privileges" that he will have in
ducements to get married and settle down,
where he can cultivate his own garden and
enclose his own premises in style COM
mensurate with his means, regardless of
the vandal hand that may seek to destroy
his cheerful home in search of filthy lucre
We do not advocate the Ranch Act as
it stands on the statutes, but we do insist
that some law should be passed to eneour-
age the settlement of families in the mines.
Suppose it did work little rough at first,
the evil would surely regulate itself in
time. For every inconvenience suffered
by the miner by the operations of such a
law, he would be more than repaid by the
smiling faces of happy wives and children
around him. Who would not be willing
to see families protected? Who would not
feel happy to receive the cheerful good
morning of bright-eyed girl going to
school? The sordid lout who would not
wish to see such "a condition of affairs,
ought not to be allowed to own mining,
claim, and should, by legislative enactment,
be forever banished beyond the pale of
civilization, and mans destiny" to null
tiply and replenish the earth,
The following is the Ranch Act passed
at sixth session of the Legislature:
An act to protect the Oscners Of Groving Crops,
Buildings, and other Improvements m.the M
ring Districts Of this .State.-Approyed April
25th, 1855.
SEC. l. No person shall for mining purposes,
destroy or injure any growing crops of grain or
garden vegetables growing upon the mineral