The Placer herald., 1857-12-12
Mining Laws.


Grass Valley correspondent of the Sa
cramento Union offers some suggestions in
relation to mining laws that will prove of in
tcrest to the mining community. There is
much truth in the remark that the laws con
cerning the working Of the claims at certain
periods, are often onerous and a cause OF
heavy expense and loss to the miners them
selves. The advantage Of the proposed re-
medy is debatable questions:
Although our National Government has
wisely retrained from passing any laws in re-
card to the gold mines of this STATE, or from
inposing tax on the toiling miner, md has
LETT the matter entirely with the miners
themselves, to make such regulations as their
peculiar localities and necessities may re-
uure. it is obvious to every one conrerSant
with affairs in the mines that if our mining
laws we're more harmonious and better de-
fined. a vast deal of trouble, uncertainty of
title, and vexatious litigation hi ght be avoid.
ed. How we are TO arrive at SO desirable Il
consummation, however, is matter very
difficult of conclusion. a sale of the mine
raj lands, or any imperative law to govern
or tax them, unless it emanated from the
miners themselves, would be absurd, imprac
ticabe, and unjust.
The miners laws" though generally wise
w adapted, sometimes impose onerous duties
on them, and they are compelled to work
their claims at certain periods, regardless Of
circumstances or their condition for working,
which is often of no practical use chate0er,
except to perpetuate their title for few days
or months at furthest. If ten per cent OF
the amount thus usually expended could be
applied, it would in a few years llquldate the
entire debt of the State.
Mining, as business, assumes more Dig
ntv, preparation and permanency now, than
it did in its primitive days in California, when
only the rich pacers easily of access were
worked. 1t was necessary and right then,
that claims should he of small size, and ac-
tual possession required to perfect title. That
somewhat more liberal law than now exists
is actually required, is as we'll known as 1t is
that the present system of locating and hold
ing claims is very obscure, uncertain, expen-
sive, and fruitful of ruinous litigation. Our
quartz mines, especially, requiring vast
amount of labor and capital to make them
available, should be governed by liberia, uni
form and we'll defined laws. If the miners
could meet in convention, properly repre-
scented from each peculiar mining locality,
I have no doubt that their united experience
and wisdom would suggest system of locat-
ing and holding claims that would meet the
exigencies Of the times and the hearty ap-
probation of every miner. Their action
might then be legalized by our Legislature,
and become law of the State.
If the Surveyor General, however would
establish the county and township lines in
the mining districts, it would be great
benefit to miners, who could then, if they
see proper, establish the boundaries of their
claims by authentic plots and surveys. l
think it would be still better if our Legs-
iature would pass an Act, granting to each
bona jfde miner the optional right to locate
II pre-emption for mining purposes, within
certain district (of course, not to Interfere
with any acquired rights,) by having it pro-
perly recorded, and by paying tax upon
the same of five or ten dollars per year; the
title to be forfeited on the non-payment OF
the tax. Thus, law might be passed by
our Legislature, giving valuable franchise
to our citizens, which would yield vast re-
venue to the State, be great saving and
convenience to the miners, and would not,
in any way deprive them Of the rights and
privileges they now enjoy, TO make their
own laws and regulations. MINER.