Gold Hill daily news. [volume] (Gold Hill, N.T. [Nev.]) 1863-1882, 1864-06-16


last three years, and the attention the Com
missioner OF the General Land Othce, the
Secretary OF the Treasury, and the PRESIDENT
himself has given to the SUBJECT OF Poncy
for our mines, believe no Governor OF any
State or Territory, or Legislature Of such, has
indicated any particular policy best to be pur-
sued.
In the absence Of any intimation from the
localities to be affected, after their attention
had been called to it for 30 long period, the
General Land Office took hold Of the subject,
and drafted the bill that I introduced into
Congress some time since. Now, if that bill
be ever so Objectionable, cannot think the
Governors of any Of the mining Territories
ought to complain Of its introduction.
My connection with the bill in introducing
it into Congress, was more for the purpose Of
bringing the subject before the people direct
ly interested in law Of this nature, and to
elicit from them an expression Of their views
upon the subject, than any particular favor
I felt for the particular bill, further than in
its main leading idea Of recognizing the L.
gality Of the occupation Of these mining
lands.
l do know, however, that the bill was
framed without any intention on the part OF
the Trainer to cripple or retard the working
OF the mines upon the public domain. The
measure in its present form may be very de-
fectiye-but no one desires to press 1t to
final action until there has been the fullest
opportunity given for consulting with all the
interests to BE affected BY it.
That some action will be taken by Congress
by another winter toward \ Mining Code
have no doubt and it behooves the mining
interests Of the country to be up and doing,
and to put forth the policy that will best suit
them, without being detrimental to the inter-
ests Of the General Government. / will not
protract this letter to discuss what that policy
should be, but 1 cannot refrain from saying,
although there is not room for my reasons at
any length, that nv impressions are that a
change of policy by the Government, and a
conveyance Of the fee to the mining lands,
would not suit the miner in all parts Of the
public domain so well as Il policy that shall
simply recognize the legality Of his occupa-
ton, fully recognize hiy local mining laws,
and his right to the lawful possession of
mines, so long as he shall work them in ac-
cordance with the provisions Of those mining
laws.
A Congressional enactment upon this sub
;.ct must necessarily he general in its terms,
sy,snS;n, in ito on.1,tSons 10 ali IN. mines
- ~ WSostor,, St.tsa md Tsrr;tor;os vbirh
80 - ' ',,,o,, tba r,,hGo So-na;n
caUno ~ tbfnI tbs noI;cv recommended br
vou nf selling the mineral lands will meet
with favor bT any denartment Of the Govern
mrnt' nor nv the great mass of the mining
nonni,tion mon fham This, however, is
eniy an onipien liable to be incorrect, and
subject to be changed upon evidence Of its
be;no erroneous. / have no such pride of
oninSon as viii ,vav me in the least in seek
inc for and re,cbino tbe hes, policy to be
a5onted and while I think there has perhaps
beep more alarm and excitement over this
"pS;an n th., nnr ,ct;or hsS b.re vonH ;us-
80 go h,,t ~ tho, ~. n,;nsrs will give