Arizona miner. [volume] (Fort Whipple, Ariz.) 1864-1868, 1864-10-26
THE GOVERNORS MESSAGE.

We continue our extracts from ths document,
begun IN the last number Of the MINER. Refer
ring to mining matters lis Exce.lency speaks as
follows:
The most extensive and important interest OF
this Territory is its mineral wealth, its develop
ment will be greatly promoted by well considered
and liberal legislation. The miGer5 may with
propuety DO permitted 70 sdopt regulations lof
the placer mines, which are soon exhausted, under
isuch RESTRICTIONS as will prevent monopoly Of
claims. The interests 0! those engaged IL siiTar,
Igold, and other mines worked by machinery, as
well as the advancement and prosperity o. tile
Territory, require the adoption ot miu!ng CODE,
and, If practicable one that has received judicial
inter pFesation. Moreover, il the mining states
and Territories regulate the possessOvy rights to
such mines, as they may legally do, by laws which
are equitable, adapted u their peculiar situation,
aud calculated 10 secure the Development oi the
mineral one argument for the interference OF the
federal government is removed. The people Of
these communities have regarded with the greet
est soIic!tuGe the propositions which haze recent-
liy been made for the taxation, safe or exclusive
possession by government o. the mineral lands
That aliases now exist which should be remedied
Iby legislation is very apparent. Mining districts
10 this Territory are created and divided by The
lyOtes OF few persons, records are imperlectiy
kept, and the regulations Of adjacent DISTRICT.
ldiaer in material points, without any sufficient
! reason for the variapce This state Of things
must produce, in this as it has in other countries
under similar conditions, protFacted and ruoon.
litigation whenever the claims become yruable
i Uniformity IN the ordinances, and le5al authen
ticaton of titles, should az far as practicable bs
secured.
The scheme Of taxgticn and seignorage pro
posed in Congress would efectaaliy drive tbs
people from the mineral lands, without expressly
providing for their exclusion. The whole countr,
i viii be vastly more benefited by encouraging b,
tits policy the discovery and constant working 0
\ the mines, thereby permanently increasing wealth
and The sources OF revenue, than 1t would be b,
Iany sum which might be realized by the presen
Tor prospective sale of the mineral lands. More
over such sale would result in monopoly-it wouIt
put this important interest beyond the control q
Congress, and would drive from the frontier tn,
prospector and the pioneer-the vanguard ofitha
army OF occupation which has butt up an emplr
on the shores OF the Pacific. The mining law o
Mexico gives TO the discOverer Of a mine tn
right TO open and work IT, and makes his title alb
1 soute and perfect SO long as it is worked. |
this policy be adopted l believe that the dIscov
cry and development of oyr mineral wealth wi
be assisted and secured 1t gives full scope /
e the enterprise aud eneigy Of our people, an
: would have fully indicated itr wisdom in 3 exic
out for the distracted condition Of that unhapp
!, county. The ordinance Is liberal, equitable an
" just. recommend that you make it the basis {
Is code, congrming TO the proper extent the right
u previously acquired under the laws Of mloug d.
% Itrictss, making their records evidence IN Ii
!. Econrts. A majority Of yon are miners, and has
!, the experience and practical Knowledge whc
viii enable you TO make such notifications in tn
fe "details az our laws aud condition require SUI
s;'gesi that you make the decision of mining right