, 1865-11-10


Hon. J. N. Ashley in the course Of his recent
tour through the mining districts, suggested
the holding of Miners Convention, at which
the question of taxing the mines, the proper
mode Of disposins of the mineral lands, and
other questions of vital interest to the miners
eau be discussed, and satisfactory conclusions
arrived at. Mr.. A. suggested that this Con-
Eention be held at Denver, Colorado Territory,
ana further expressed athsOpiniOn that the de-
cisions of such Convention would be ratified
by Congress. Acting on this suggestion, Mon
tana has already. appointed her Representative,
and It is hoped that other mining districts will
not be behind IN the matter. Referring to this
action, the Montana Post has suggestions which
we heartily endorse; In addition to the discuss
sion of the legislation needed for the develop
ment of mining regions, there are many other
things equally necessary to be considered by
such an assembly. Bad legislation is to be op-
posed by special and wisely-direeted effort in
the shape of argument and by the aid of the
consolidated votes Of the representatives of the
West, in Congress. The subject of railroad
communication with the East is of controlling
importance to miners, and the direction and
construction of every proposed line should be
narrowly watched, in order that the routes best
suited to the opening up and supplying of the
placer and quartz districts should be adopted.
Stage roads, and lines for freight hauling and
emigration, are for the present, at least Of equal
Importance to the people of the mountains aud
the telegraph is necessary addition to our
means of communication with the East-the an
swer to queries of immense financial Importance
being, by this means, obtainable without delay,
during the busy season. We think that every
State and Territory of the West should have its
separate mining Board or Convention, as per-
manent institution, meeting annually; that eve
ry district should send its Delegates thereto,
and that grand central Congress, composed of
the best and most energetic men Of the State
and Territorial organizations should be held
month or two before the meeting of the Con-
gress of the United States, and that it should be
their duty, after due delberation, to draft the
necessary bills required to be passed; give shape
and power tc the opposition of unwise policy,
and the efforts to defeat injurious measures; and
finally, BY petitions, remoustrauce or otherwise,
as might be deemsd best, to further our inter-
ests at Washington. The time has passed when
"masterly inactivity" would suffice. The
stake is too vast to be played for haphazard, and
the multiplicity of the details TO be considered
renders it impossible that body srch as the
National Congress, with the care Of all the bus
mess of the country, can intelligeuty attend to
affairs which require, for their mere presenta-
tion in such form az to ensure their comprehen-
sion and the due appreciation of their import
ance, an amount of research, labor and practi-
cal knowledge which would exhaust the re-
sources of the entire Legislature. We hope
that our brethren of the press will not let the
agitation for this most necessary movement die
ont for want of advocacy and enforcement. At
this time, with new routes projecting, policy
beginning to declare itself, and discoveries of
almost inconceivdblc value being made nil
around and about US, it is time that the iuhahit-
auts of these favored regions should hestir
themselves and work un2erstandngly for the de-
velopmcnt Of the mineral resources of a country
which, for immensity Of extent. wonderful rich
ness and practical availability, throws into the
shade the comparatively circumsclibed 0phirs
and Eldorados of the days Of old.