The Placer herald., 1856-10-11
Film ore and the Mines.

Film ore and the Mines.
The friends of this Candidate for Presi
dency are loud in their praises of his great
Statesmanike qualities; and particularly
sweet upon his great attachment to the in
terest OF the people Of California If this
were true it would be right and just that their
candidate have the full benefit of the fact
Let us examine his position however upon
the leading interest of this State "a ques-
ton in which every man who wields a pick
and casts shovel full of dirt is vitally inter
ested, and which controls the commercial
and agricultural wealth, of the land. All
admit that, the prosperity of the country is
owing to the liberal policy, which has given
the mineral lands of this State to the unre
strained energy Of the people; thus opening
a rich field to labor and giving to the com
merce of the world the heretofore buried
precious metals. Has Mr.. Fillmore favored
this doctrine'
In his message to Congress in 1850 he
holds the following language.
II also beg leave to call your attention to the
proprety of extending at an early day, our system
of land laws. with such notifications as may be
necessary. over the State of California and the
Territories of Utah and New Mexico. The min
! eral lands of California will, of course, form an
exception to any general system which may be
adopted. Various methods of dsposing of them
| have been suggested. ,Cds at first inclined to
fdror the system of leasing. as it seems to prom
ise the largest revenue to the government and to
| afford the best security against monopolies but
further reflection. and our experience in leasing
the lead mines and selling lands upon credit, have
brought my mind to the conclusion that there
acould be great difficulty in collecting the rents,
and that the relation of debtor and creditor be-
tween the citizens and the government, would be
attended with many mischievous consequences
! Therefore recommend that, instead Of retaining
/ the mineral lands under the permanent control
of the government, THEY BE DIVIDED INTO SMALL
/ PARCELS AND SOLD. under such restrictions. as
/ to quantity and time. AS WILL INSURE THE
BEST PRICE. and guard most efectualy against
combinations of capitalists to obtain monopolies."
Thus, it appears he was first inclined to
taror the system of leasing the mineral lands,
but changed his mind, and concluded 1t acas
best to sell them. And moreover these min
eral lands were to be "divided into small par
GELS and sold under such restrictions, as to
quantity and time, as o"iN insure the best
price, d;c'
Mark that miners you were to pay the
highest prices, for the privilege which YOU
now enjoy without question of price. lie
would have leased bit uas atiuid you mouM
not pay the rents. AS we are informed it is
policy similar to this, which obtains in the
British mines in Austrilia.
1t is claimed for Mr. Fillmore that he re-
ceded from this doctrine, took back his re-
Communications, and settled permanently up
on the policy that now obtains.
Let us see if this is true. In his next an
nual message in 1851, he holds forth as fol-
lows.
"The proper disposal of the mineral lands of
California is subject surrounded by great diff
cultes In my last annual message, | recon-
mended the survey and sale of them in small par
GELS, under such restrictions as would efectually
guard against monopoly and speculation. But
upon further nformaton as in Difference to the
opinions of persons familiar with the subject
am inclined to change that recommendation, and
to avise that they be permitted to remain, as at
present. a common field, open to the enterprise
and industry of all our citizens. until further
perience shall have developed the best policy to
| be ultimately adopted in regard to them. 1t is
safer to suffer the Inconvenience that now erists,
for short ptri0d than, by premature legislation,
| to fasten on the country system founded in er-
ror which may place the whole subject beyond
the future control Of Congress.
Now we submit to any candid man wheth-
er Mr. Fillmo e has resigned the idea of re-
leasing or selling the mines Of this State.-
The truth about the matter is, that monstrous
proposition made in his first message, astoun-
ded the Delegation from this state and they
protested with the President, and it was not
until overborne by their opportunities, that
he concluded it was ''safer to suffer the IN
conpenience" of keeping the mines free 'tor
a short PERIOD"
This is the authority upon which they say;
Mr.. Fillmore is all right upon the mines.
We submit to the miners of Placer Coun-
ty, if their interests are safe in the hands Of
such Statesman. Is there not evidence
sufficient before them to convince the dull
est reasoner, that the best policy in regard to
the miners has been advocated and steadily
maintained by the Democracy both in our
State and National Legislature.
THE BARBACUE AT BAKERS RANCH.-We
understand that extensive arrangements are
being made for the Democratic Mass-meet-
ing to be held on the 3Oth inst.
The biggest guns in the State are to be
present as speakers, and everybody is to be
RECALLED with roast OK, sheep meat, that's
"too good for niggars," more chicken fixens
than five thousand people can devour; lash
ings of drink, and good things generally 'tll