Weekly Trinity journal., 1870-04-09
An Important Measure for California.

On the 18th of March, Sargent's Mining land
bill was faYorably reported in Congress from tue
Committee on Mines and Mining, through Mr..
Sargent himself, who succeeded in bHvIng the
blll placed ut once on its passage. He advoca-
ted II IN clear and practical speech, showing
It's necessity for the protection Of the rights OF
miners, as Tor the general welfare of the mineral
States and Territories, and quoting evidences of
public opinion in its favor. Other speeches
were made by Julian, Ferris, Nback and John
son, the latter one Of the Representatives from
California, all fayoring the bill except Julian,
who was opposed to the principle of recognizing
local mlullgregulatons, and thoughtau extension
OF the general land survey was all that needed
johnson offered an amendment, which was ac-
cepted, providing against impairng mining
liens. Niback offered another, which was also
adopted, more explicitly securing rights under
the act to which this bill is amendatory, to con-
vey title to lode claims. The bill amended
was then, on Sargeants motion, ordered en-
crossed, read third time anG passed, and this
action clinched by indefinite postpOnement of a
motion to reconsider.
1t is to be hoped now the bill will soon pass
the Senate and become law. In substance it
proposes simply to allow the placer miner, who
holds limited quantity of land under local
regulations OF customs, to 90 before the United
States land Office and make proof Of his posses
sion, and having done to the satisfaction of
verse claim whatever, obtain patent for it on
paying 81 SO an acre This privilege extends to
all forms OF gold deposit, except quartz veins,
which are otherwise provided for. When the
Hands have been previously surveyed by the
United States, the entry Of placer claim in its
exterior limits will conform to legal subdivisions,
and no further survey be required. Legal sub
divisions of forty acres many be further divided
into ten-acre tracts, and two or more persons or
associations, having contiguous claims, may
enter them Jointly. The bill thus substantially
allows all placer claims, of what size soever
honestly held under local mining regulations, to
be@ntered for patent but provides that no loca-
ton made after its passage shall exceed one
hundred and sixty acres for any one person or
association. Nothing in the act shall defeat or
impair any bona fde pre-emption or homestead
clalnl, or authorize the sale of the improvements
Of amy b0nd ttde settler to any other purchaser.
Aflidavits under the act may be made before any
officer in the district authorized to administer
oaths. The public surveys are extended over
the mineral lands in California, in all respects
as over other lands, with proviso that all sur
veys of less than one hundred and sixty acres
may be done by county and local surveyors at
the expense Of itigants.
1t will be sent that the bill makes as simple
and easy as possible the procurement of title to
placer claims at the time that il facilitates
the survey OF the whole mineral region, and re-
HiOfCs uiuISuit1 III tue way VI pTe-eupllOu ana
homestead entries for agricultural purposes
Under this bill, if it becoms law, and under
the continued operation of the ruling of the
Land Commissioner, allowing agricultural en-
tries of land not more valuable for mining, the
whole mineral area of California would be open
TO permanent settlement and ownership in fee.
some further legislation is necessary to farm
ing ana timber lands in the mineral regions, as
we have heretofore shown but ihe whole sub
Ject, without this would be left n a far better
shape by Sargent's mining bill than il ever was
before. San IraHcsc0 Bulletin.