Gold Hill daily news. [volume] (Gold Hill, N.T. [Nev.]) 1863-1882, 1864-12-27
SALE OF THE MINES

times referred to the subject of the sale of
the mineral lands, and have quoted quite
number of articles from our exchanges
touching that important question. 1t is
matter which will be brought before
Congress at Its present session, and in all
probability some definite action will be
taken upon it. The subject is exciting
much attention both in California and
Colorado and fogms the leading theme
for the mining journals of those regions.
While there Is still considerable opposi-
ton manifested in some of the papers
published in the mining counties of Cali
fornia, against the proposition to sell the
mineral lands, yet there is visible change
in the general sentiment upon the subject,
and it appears to be growing INTO decided
favor in many quarters where year ago
the sentiment was strongly adverse. The
Nevada Gazette of last Friday has an ar
ticle upon the question, in which the edi-
tor evinces decided conversion from the
views formerly entertained upon the SUBJ
ject. As the Gazette occupies high po-
sition among the country press of Cali
fornia, and, moreover, represents min
ing community. We quote the article
entire:
Congress is about to take some measures
to derive some revenue from the mineral
lands on the Pacific slope, the title to which
has been hitherto retained by the Govern
ment. Heretofore citizens have been per-
mitte6 to work these mines without fee or
tribute Of any kind to the Government, and
even aliens have been permitted to obtain
and carry off the mineral wealth of the coun-
try without paying cent Of revenue to the
Federal Government for the privilege. A
foreign miners tax has been imposed BY the
States and Territories, for the purposes of
State and Territorial governments, but never
by the owner Of the lands. This past gene
rosity on the part of the Government was
prompted by considerations of policy which,
If they now exist at all, have not their former
force. The colonization Of these sections OF
the Republic has been happily effected; no
change Of policy in regard to the mineral
lands, short of the absolute prohibition Of
individuals from working them, can materi-
ally affect the population Of this or any other
of the Pacific States and now that the Gov
eminent needs all her available resources to
meet expenses, we cannot expect, and we
should not ask, that the mines of the Gov
eminent shall continue to be left open to the
spoil of friend and foe, citizen and alien
alike, without cost. II we do entertain such
an expectation or prefer such demand, we
shall find ourselves disappointed and denied.
Already measures have been introduced in
Congress for the sale or taxation of the mines,
and there is an evident determination on the
part of the majority of the National legisla-
tors to push through one or the other Of
these propositions as quickly as possible
II is useless for miners or any one else inte-
rested TO try to prevent it. All that we can
do, and all, in our opinion that we should
do, is TO use our influence to secure the pas
sage Of such laws in relation to the subject
as will not wrong the miners. We believe
this can be done, il the miners will look the
inevitable change of policy squarely in the
face, and instead of INDUCING in useless pro-
tests against Congressional interference with
the subject, 60 earnestly about securing a
fair and inoppressive disposition Of the
matter.
We are aware that this is ticklish subject
to deal with. Honest miners" are exceed
ingly tenacious of what they are not disposed
to consider as the gracious gift of munltl-
cent Government, but as prescriptive right.
And some of them would be disposed TO con-
slider any exercise BY the Government OF its
right Of ownership in the mines as an act
of outrage and injustice. They do not con-
slider that whatever profit they have hereto
fore gained from the mines has been free
gift on the part of the Government, which
has an unquestionable right to claim its own
whenever it pleases, and more especially
when its own necessities in manner compel
it to the step. 1t is true that large proper
ton of the miners have fully deserved this
generosity of the Government, and that they
have amply repaid it BY their settlement and
development Of the Pacific slope. But what
ever claims may be urged in their behalf
canno, alter the inevitable determination Of
the Government to change its policy with
regard to the mineral lands; the change is
as certain to be made as that Congress will
continue to legislate for the country; and
the sooner the miners see it in that light,
and instead of indulging in useless protests,
adopt measures to protect their interests I'M
der the new order Of things, the better it will
be for them.
We have endeavored to consider this ques-
ton solely upon its own merits, withou: ref
erence to the views of this or that politician,
or the influence which the question will nm
doubtedly have upon elections in the mining
districts. We have, after some elaboration,
arrived with the Colorado Mining Journal
and the Reese River Reveille at the concln-
sion that it is best for all concerned that the
Government shall sell the mines, but be care
full of the manner of doing so. We shall
hereafter endeavor to give some Of the rea-
sons for this opinion, and perhaps offer some
suggestions as to now the Government should
convey its title to the mines, SO as to work
the least injury to the mass Of miners
Meanwhile we desire to see the subject tho
roughly, fairly and openly discussed, and will
freely open our columns to well-written arti-
cles upon any side Of the question. The
mining interest is the predominant one in
this section of the State, and it is our inte-
rest, as well as our duty and our desire, to
advocate what we believe to be the best inte-
rests Of the miners. II we fail to do so it
will be from error Of judgment, and not from
lack Of disposition. We are aware that we
have taken what appears to be the unpopu-
lar side Of the question in this section, but
we believe it is the right side, and that it will
be so acknowledged hereafter by majority
Of the miners.