San Andreas independent., 1858-07-31
The Policy Of Selling the Mineral Lands.

NS'~'-
Y. Tribune advocates the sale of the mineral
lands in small lots, of from one to five acres
His views are erroneous and calculated to
mislead the public abroad, in regard to the
development of the mineral interests of this
State 1t is obvious to any one acquainted
with mining and mining interests, that the ex-
isting laws in the different mining districts
cannot be altered without infringing on pri-
vate rights; and it would retard the develop
ment OF new mines in this way 1t is well
known that water is an indispensable agent in
the successful working of the mines, and that
any company who invest their money in ditch
enterprises, base their calculations on getting
1T back again with interest, before their works
decay or rot down-which the best constructed
works in this State will do in five or seven
years; therefore it is necessary that the claims
should be of size to permit their being
worked out in that time, and also to demand
larger number of heads of water in one dis
trict. For where a mining district is in the
hands of few persons, the demand for water
is so limited that it is not profitable to build
bitches to them. Another objection to selling
the mineral land is, that it would open the
door to speculating capitalists They would
buy the lands to sub-divide and sell to the
working miner. The laws which govern the
mines at present, restrict these land-sharks :
the claims must be located in good faith and
mt of IL, Il
Der of days, or the claim is open to any who
choose to work it; and the speculator dare
not invest his money in claims and let them
lie idle, which they could do if the lands were
brought into market by the General Govern
ment and sold to him for then he would have
title which the Government would be bound
to protect. The policy of selling the mineral
lands has never been advocated only by few
interested individuals in the commercial and
agricultural counties, who think the miners
have not sense enough to regulate their own
affairs and develope the principal resource Of
the State in the most practical way, without
the enterprise of outsiders. Their philosophy
is properly appreciated here and their great
interest in the welfare of the toiing miner can
be traced to the fact that when once the lands
are brought into market and sold, they be-
come property, and as such, are subject to
taxation. Should such a policy be pursued
by the General Government in a few years
the mass of miners in this State, will be but
laborers for combined capitalists.
1t may sound very well to those who know
nothing of the life or trials of miner, to have
Uncle Sans title to a mine, which cannot be
worked in life-t time, and that all they will
have to do when they get short of funds, will
be to go and dig few days and replenish
their purses, and then spend their spare time
in building a domestic paradise. But will the
water companies wait on them while they are
amusing themselves thus No, the deserted
towns and camps in California, prove to the
contrary. There are already plenty of pretty
cottages and gardens that are deserted now,
which were built on the strength of large
claims whose owners hopes were darkened
not by throwing cold water on them, but by
taking it away from them.
Placer mining cannot be called permanent
business, and the sooner the placers are
worked out, the sooner other mines will be
developed; and "the greatest good to the
greatest number" should control the working
of the mines the encroachment of capital on
labor should be watched with a jealous eye.
The present broad and liberal policy of the
General Government is the best. 1t is true
that we are but tenants at will but if the
government will continue the same system
there is none to dispute our will. We will,
without fear, develope the resources of the
State, and make labor and capital mutually
dependent.
These are the views of practical miner,
who has delved for years in the soil, both North
and South.