The Placer herald., 1866-08-04
Tho Mineral Land Bill.

4uo Ql404 ol 4ouO 0lAAs
We invite the attention Of our readers to
the Mineral Land Bill, published in to-day 5
paper, which passed both houses Of Con.
grsss, 10 it's present shape, and it is be!isv ed
has become law BY the signature Of the
President.
A careful reading Of the bill conviuces US
that it is a measure that will meet the APP
proval Of the vast majority Of men who are
engaged in vein mining. and is measure
calculated TO give encouragement aud sta
bility to this character Of industry, soon to
rank az the paramount mining interest or
the shores OF the Pacific.
We are conscious of the opposition Of the
mining community to sale or disposition OF
the mineral lands. BY Congress. But this
opposition has more direct reference to a
general and indiscrniuale sale of aiming
lands, than to a law Of the character row
under consideration. This law has no app.
ration 10 surface or hydraulic mining, and
therefore cannot con6c, with the special in
terests Of those, who at present, constitute
the large majority OF miners, at least in Cal
iforna.
Il will be seen that, ly the bill, 10 order
10 secure titles 10 quartz veins, individuals
OF companies are placed upon a similar ioou
ing ,c the settler who occupies the public
land for farming purposes and
improvement is required, in order to be en-
titled to pre- emp,ion and purchase. |, does
uot, it will be seen, throw the land open to
iudiscriminate purchase, and thus enable
spectators to monopoIizs the ground occu
pied by bona 6de prospectors, nor does it en-
able him to buy up extensive tracts Of min
log land. to the exclusion aud hindrance of
prospectors. But it enables both prospector
and capitalist when they have located and
worked claim under the local rules and
customs adopted by the miners themselves,
and have undisputed possession Of the same,
to obtain actual title from the General Gov
ernment. In this, it invites labor to 90
band in hand in the work of opening to the
light the vast undeveIoped wealth that lies
hidden in the mineral Gearing rocks, and in
this most important Object will be gained
1t is the interest of prospectors that capital
shall he encouraged TO embark in vein min
ing; and capital can only become dangerous
TO prospectors, when the former can monop-
olizs the mines to the exclusion Of the latter
Out uhoOi tu'o WI, tuSIO III uSt Oc OOut ulc
work aud boua fide possession 10 order 10
obtain title.
The bill also affords a mode whereby far
mers within the limits of the mineral regions,
upon lands that in fact are not mineral, can
obtain title. This is right and but just to
many settlers in the mineral districts, who
have spent much time and money in cutival
Ting orchards, viny ards, gardens, etc, with
nothing more substantial than possessory
title.
The granting Of the right Of way over the
public domain, for bitches, canals, etc.. is
also another feature OF The bill that will com.
mend itself to the sense Of fjusiice of the peo'
pie, as measure Of protection required by
the great property interest of that charac-
Ter that has grown up 10 the mining regions.
We hail the passage Of this bill as the
dawn ola new era in quartz mining. 1t will
inspire confidence aud zeal, where before it
has been wanting. The prospeclor will
know now that it his researches result in the
discovery Of good mine, there is way pro-
vided by which it can in fact become bis
own; and that with title, no longer depen.
dent upon arbitrary local custams, he will
have ten chances where he has one now to
obtain the encouragement aud assistance Of
capital.
With an experience Of residence 10 the
mining districts, dating back "lo the early
dsys OF California" We have seen The flush
times Of placer mining, when our towns
sprung up like magic, when every ravine
and gulch was the scene Of active industry,
and when apparent prosperity was in every
onTh
reaction, in deserted mining camps, languish-
ing towns. deprecated property, and loss Of
population. This is not the experience of
one section, but is applicable to the whole
mining region Of California. Surface min
ing never has and pever will give perma,
nence and prosperity 10 any mining country.
In vien mining we can have something en-.
during that incites capital, population and
enterpIize. This bill Of Congress is a means
TO an end SO desirable, and in the belief that
from it will come stability and method in
the real business of mining, we regard it RS
a measure raugbt with The most benificen,
effects TO our State.
Loss OF VALUABLE HoRsE.-Geo Bishop, pro-
prietor Of the Auburn omnibus line, lost fine
and fast young horse, on Sunday last, of q disease
that bafaed the skill and judgment Of horscmen.
The horse had been sick one week, with an ofen-
sive running at the nose, but without any other
very uniavorable symptoms. After he died, an
examination showed that the disease was confined
wholly to the lungs-other vital parts appearing
perfectly healthy. Large tubercles were formed
upon the lungs. filed with offensive matter, that
showed diseased condition that would have
been wholly beyond the reach of remedies, even
II tried upon the first indications of illness in the
horse.
we have heard Of several cases Of the death of
salqao'e horsea. with symptoms similar to the
n00vs: Oannot the veterinary surgeons give
some Information 10 to the proper treatment In
euch easss'