Gold Hill daily news. [volume] (Gold Hill, N.T. [Nev.]) 1863-1882, 1866-01-27
SALE OF THE MINERAL LANDS

~ VT
EDITOR News The subject Of the sale Of
mineral lands, now being agituted in the Halls
Of Congress, demands m immediate and
definite settlement upon a basis which shall
give general satisfaction, not only to the
pruspector and miner, but to the merchant,
the mechanic and the farmer. Senator Sher-
mans bill, introduced on the 9Th Of Deem
Der last, is conclusive of the fact that our in
terests and needs arc little understood. 1t
seems impossible to convince legislators Of
the Eastern States that the policy pursued
BY the Government up to this time is the best
that can be suggested. That Senator Sher-
mans bill is wild and visionary, will appear
to any practical miner Who carefully exam
ines it for no one Of any experience in min
ing, or even with any practical ideas regard
ing the mining interests Of this coast, would
propose the sale Of bur mineral lands at ffy
dollars per acre! The bill further provides
for the survey and sale OF the " timber and
salt lands" and provides that " each person
who shall buy a mineral lot shall be author
lied to enter 4 salt and timber lot ut the same
time" Evidently, the astuta Senator i'm
AGNES that the salt and timber has been dis
tributed by nature in small " lots" adjacent
to each other, or that the timber has been
"salted" for some wise purpose unknown to
mortuls. The bill is full Of such impractical
bilities and absurd notions. This matter
will be harpcd upon by our National Con-
gress until some final action is taken. II we
would have that action to subserye the pur-
pose for which it is intended, we must let our
voice be heard. 1t is evident that q different
policy will be adopted. II such policy be
suggested BY experience, it may be beneficial
If not, it cannot be otherwise than inju-
| rious. l have Il plan to offer for the settle
ment of the question, which, l believe, will
give general satisfaction when fully under
stood.
I would have Congress to provide for the
calling of n Convention Of Delegates from the
mining States and Territories west Of the
Mississippi. Said Convention to be author
lied By Congress TO draw up and codify 4 set
of laws for the general government and final
disposition Of the mineral lands, which laws
shall provide: .
First-For the establishment of n " School
of Mines" to be centrally located in the min
eral region, with provisions for all the neces-
sary Professors Of Geology, Minerology,
Metalurgy, Chemistry, Civil and Mining En-
eineering, and such other branches Of the
sciences as have u bearing, direct or remote,
upon the subject Of mines and mining.
Second-FOr creating the Office Of State
and Territorial Geologist, who shall be err
offciO Controller of Mines" with power to
have at least three assistants, whose duty it
shall be to visit each "Mincrale" locality in
which minerals abound) within the State or
Territory in which they hold office. Said
Controller Of Mines to keep a record Of the
location and boundaries Of each minernle,
and the number Of subdivisions or districts
in each, together with the number Of claims
located and recorded within each mineralc,
the sworn statements Of which shall be fur
nishcd by the different mining Recorders.
Third-That any person or persons who
shall discover a mineralc may lay it out in
districts, fix its boundaries, and designate it
by name, and send 4 notice OF proceedings to
the office Of the Controller Of mines, giving
its exact location ag near as possible, the
route travelled to get there, and such other
information which may be Of interest; as the
nature Of the mines-whether gold or silver,
quartz or placcr-thcir probable extent, etc.
Fourth-Thc Bylaws shall conform as
near as practicable to those now in general
use in the various districts, with Il provision
for the legal election Of mining Recorders,
and that they shall give bonds for the faithful
performance Of their duties; which bonds
shullbe forwarded to the Controller Of mines.
That the Recorder shall be entitled to n fee
OF one dollar for every claim located and re-
corded-to be paid by the locator Of such
claim-which shall constitute all the fees and
emolumcnts for his services as Recorder en-
cept rs hereinafter provided. That the loca-
tor or ~locators Of any claim or claims shall,
upon filing n notice with the Recorder pay to
said Recorder, for the benefit of the United
Ctakn, Goyornp,ont tho pnNn If fun confa nor
foot for each lineal foot OF ground in said
claim-if n quartz lode; or, il a surface claim
the sum Of five dollars, upon the receipt Of
which the Recorder shall issue to said locator
or locators n certificate Of location in such
form rs shall be prescribed by law, emitting
them to hold and work the claim in conform
ity to the laws OF mining Of the United States
for one year from the date OF said certificate,
and each and every year thereafter, by pay
ing TO the Recorder for the benefit Of the
United States government the further sum Of
one per cent. per foot for each lincal foot Of
quartz lodcs, and two dollars and fifty cents
for n surface claim; which shall entitle the
holders to the possession Of the claim proyi-
ded they have been worked in accordance
with the mining laws. That all deeds or
transfers properly signed by two witnesses
acknowledgment not being necessary, as
the title is merely poscssory, and dependant
upon the compliance with the laws Of mining
OF the United States) shall be recorded in the
records Of the District in which the title is
located; for which the Recorder shall receive
a proper remuneration.
Fifth-That the funds accruing to the Gov
eminent of the United States from such loca-
tons shall be appropriated to the support Of
the School Of mines. and the Controllers Of
mines and their assistants.