The Shasta courier., 1865-11-18
Miners Convention.

The Mining and Scientific Press, Of the
llth inst, in accordance with a generally
expressed wish of the Press of the State, has
named Wednesday, the 18th day Of January
pext, as the day for the meeting of Miners
Convention at Sacramento.
And now, as it is all important that this
proposed Convention should be success in
the fullest sense of the word, we call upon
every newspaper in the State to lend help
ing hand in making it SO. The future of the
State, the future of every citizen in it, is to
be influenced, we hope for good, by this
move. 1t is the first step in organization for
the general good of the whole people it is a
step towards the Development Of the one
great interest Of the Pacific coast; the very
interest upon which all others depend; the
interest which has made California the wonder
of the world. That our population is small is
simply because the attention of our people
has been more given to the improvement of
horses, cattle. sheep, fruits and the cereals,
than to the development Of the mines, the
success of which is so absolutely necessary
to the success of all other pursuits Instead
Of Agricultural Fairs. Horse Shows, &C.,
upon which the State has spent hundreds of
thousands of dollars. Mining Fairs should
have been held instead. and such premiums
offered for machinery that would economize
and perfect mining operations, as would have
insured the devotion of genius to their discove-
fry. The thousands yearly paid to fast horses,
fiat sheep and cattle, would have been better
spent in that way.
In consequence of the annual State Fairs,
all persons interested in farming, in vine
yards, in the raising of fine stock, are
thoroughly posted as to the best method of
attaining success in their respective voca
uons. This is right, too, in its way; but we
hold that if the mining interests had been
made speciality for Fairs-State and Coun-
ty-and received the same fostering care
to-day the population of this State would
have been more than treble its present num-
ber; agriculture would have been advanced
in the ratio of requirements by the mining
population; instead Of casting about for
causes why the population has decreased, we
would have been wealthy, fourishing peo-
pie, our prosperity based upon rock and
gold.
1t is not too late to redeem the false step
taken. In San Francisco the leading bust
ness men have seen the necessity for an
organized effort, and under the name of the
I" California Mining Bureau Association"
have incorporated company for the purpose
Of doing something in the right direction
The reading room and cabinet of the com.
pany, will be a place for the reception Of
mining facts and for their dissemination. =
We will now suggest that the Association
above referred to determine what would be
a proper base of representation from the
various mining counties of the State, and
after so determining, publish their conclu-
s;ons, in order that there may be some guide
for action. 1t would be well enough, per-
haps, If the Association would give their
views as to the benefits to arise from the
meeting Of the Convention. and the ends to
be attained. In our opinion, there should
be Legislative action as to what should
constitute quartz claim, and il the Conven-
ton should so think, its recommendation
would probably secure the passage of a suit
able law. The views of the Association
would have something of the force of rec
ognized authorityin this matter, and should
be used to make it a success. 1t might
be well enough to invite delegates from Ne
vada to participate in the good work, and
the g Bureau" can well do it; and as there
is no doubt but there should be head to
the move, we say let the Bureau" be that
head, and act in the same relation to it
as does the State. Central Committee in
our political councils