The Placer herald., 1865-08-26
Important to Miners.


by the late Union State Convention, was the
one in reference 10 the taxation or sale o.
the mineral lands. With this, ss with other
questions OF immediate public interest, the
Convention platform preserved an oininous
silence. And in that silence is hid mischief
10 every miner and prospecor in the State
The Convention was aware, every miner is
aware, tha. various schemes were presented
in the last session Of Congress, backed by
the approval and recommendation Of the
Treasury AMI Interior Departments, to enter
upon general taxation or sale Of the min,
eral lands Of this coast, and vet the Conven,
ton. the representative body Of the hitherto
dominant party of the State, had neither m
opinion, recommendation or instruction to
give the Congressional representatives, who
will take their seats at Washington this
winter by reason Of an election at the ha,d
If the Union party voters of California.
On the other hand, every Democratic, and
every Peoples Union convention has -xpllr.
mIy resolved against the sale or taxation Ut
,he mineral lands.
The Long Haired" convention that mel,
in Auburn. ON the 27,h If June, although
strong y resolving in the direction Of negro
suffrage, had no, word :pr the dominant
industrial interest Of the county and State.
that is threatened by injurious legislation in
The coming session Of Congress.
The Peoples Union nventon, that mel,
in Auburn, on the ll'h dsy of July, "Rs
solved, That We are opposed to the taxation
or sale Of the mineral lands"
The Democrats of Sacramento county, in
co"ventlo" on the l9h inst. emphasized a.
one Of the articles IF their faith 'Opposition
to the sale or t"xaion of the mineral lands
Of this coast; believing, frst, that the mines
are The property of the disroverer>; second.
tha; their development ought rather to lie
encouraged by premiums than retarded b,
,axalion."
The Democrats Of Amador resolved in
the same words. and the resolutions OF every
Democratic county convention have been Of
equivalent import.
It would be folly to resolve upon this ones.
t"' - wv th'scNueH'S Idtl Uotn I1auo 10 ulSi
,urb the policy of the General Government
in reference to the tenure Of possession of
mining lands; but when able aud influential
men in Congress. supp"rted hy the heads of
departments, bring forward bills looking to
general sale or taxation Of our mines, it is
time that voters should he aliys to their in
terests.
The experience Of seventeen years fully
demonstrates the wisdom Of the General
Government in leaving the mines free to the
occupancy of the industrious toiI-rs who
have added untold millions to the naiinn's
wealth. Their lahors have caused stream
If prosperity to iow from this fountain. head
of riches, that has been felt in every no. K
and corner of the land. This policy has
the approval of our miners, and they ,.-pre-
ate - change. But if they would prevent n
change they must give expression to their sen
,ments at the ballot box, in elecling members
of the legislature who are fully committed
To their views. The candidstes Of C"nv-n
lions that have dodg-d this question will b-
unsafe deposi,ories of the interests of miners
The party tha, in Stale q invention was deaf
and blind to ,he demands oi the army Of
miners in California, is not safe To trust
Miners, remember this at lhs ballot box.