Daily press and Dakotaian. [volume] (Yankton, Dakota Territory [S.D.]) 1875-1880, 1880-04-09
MINERAL LAND TOWN SITES.
Mining Communities.
Chicago Times Speclal

Delegate Benefits Bill for the Relief of
Mining Communities.
Chicago Times Special
Washington, April 6-Mr. Bennett, from
the committee on public lsnda, to-day re.
ported tavorably to the house bill provid.
ing for reservation and sale of town sites on
public lands. A mention of this bill has
already been made in dispatch to the Times
The passage of the bill is looked forward to
with much interest by owners of lots in
towns located on mineral lands, especially
to citizens Of Deadwood. Lead City, and
Central City. The report Of The committee
saws that the provisions Of the bill are, in
substance. thu sam. a. chapter s of title 80
Of the revised statutes, except that portion
relating to location Of town sites on mineral
lands l., having been recently decided by
The interior department that such locations
cannot be made on mineral lands known as
placer mines, and several towns of impor-
tance having heen located and built on such
lands, some additional legislation ia deemed
urgent and pressing necessity to meet exi.
g-ncy arising from the decision referred to.
Under the former ruling patents we're issued
or mining claim. and for town sites upon
the same lands, each patent containing res.
ervations or exceptions as is now provided
| now in the law. There are now pend
ing many applications for mining claims in
town sizes which we're located while the
former ruling prevailed and with reference
10 the same rights Of both mining claimant
and town site occupant being respectively
recognized by the. parties in interest. The
passage of the bill will allow snch applica.
lions to be perfected il such manner as will
ensure equitable rights Of all parties. The
history Of mining counties show that the
discovery OF mine and location Of mining
claims. whether placer or lodes, precedes
location and building of towns Precious
metals are usually iound in mountainous.
hilly or broken country. where r+vines and
gnlches are narrow. Placer mining is con.
fined to gulches, while veins, lodea, and de.
posi,s exists in hills. When the discovery
Of gold Ia made excitement runs high, anc
all gulches where there is prospect Of pay
ing ground are speedily taken up as placer
grounds. 1t frequently occurs that many o
the claims so taken, while they will pro.
dace color, will not pay for working, and
if gold we're confined to placer grount
only, it would in short time b
: worked out or abandoned. 1t is the dts
, coyery Of gold or silver In the quartz rocl
that gives 10 mining country permapency
ss such working of lodes or veins require
j, investment of large amounts Of money il
, construction Of mills aud employment of
, great uumber of men. Towns ana citie
cannot be built on top Of mountains q
rough and inaccessible hills, but must b
located in ravlnes or gulches, which pei
Q haps before the necessities for cities an
: towns arose may have been located claiu
: or occupied as placer c,sims. These CLAIM
may have been worked out or NAV he,
o proven harren, hul 9 III the right exists
e the owner, and under the decision Of Il
= drpsr ment 90 town site can he locs,'
" there IN. or rights I" town property acqui
ed as against placer claimants or occupant
These claims are taken up for the minei
y ,bev contain and when worked out or fnu,
- ,o he barren of mineral are shsndone
: ani applica,ions for patents are seldc
> made except where towns have heen hui
The provisions of the hill are intended
'' ca, efnlly guard the rights of owners Of IN,
u properly situated ON placer grounds on ,
y one hand and PRIOR rights "f placer clai
er ant. on the other. While il g,ves TO to
property only right to The aurface il prote
~ ih, miner in working his claim with .,
ed ue OF the surface Ms may be ressons
I'd necessary in Prosecuting HE work. and
he provides for location Of tosn sites on pla
ad grounds subsequent to location Of pia
claims IN grounda previously occupied
sea town site purposes. The committee b
,a- ,ha, large town. have vro~n up ou min,
III. lands, portion. Of which have been locs