The weekly miner. [volume] (Butte, Mont.) 1878-1881, 1880-04-27
SQUARE
How Prominent Mining Men OF Butte Re.
gard the Proposed Laws.
A Tissue OF AbsurGities and u Studied
" Outrage Upon Miners Rights.

The recommendations of the public land
commission, which last year visited the west
ern States and Territories for the ostenslble
purpose of gathering information looking to
the modification and improvement of the
mining laws now in force, have been conclu-
sively shown by the entire western press to
be unjust and outrageous. Something should
be done, and done Immediately, to prevent the
passage of the proposed law, and the most
e~ffectual way to secure the retention and ell
joyment of rights accorded under the present
regulations is for the prominent mining oper-
ators of all sections to unite in a loud and
vigorous protest against the new measure
now under considerations. In the face of a
strong and general opposition, it is tolerablv
certain that the commissioners would be
insloriorsly defeated, or at least that Congress
would be actuated by a spirit Of due caution
and eliminate the Objectionable featmcsufthe
bill before framing it into a law.
There is no doubt as 10 the direction of
public sentiment in this camp on this impor-
tant question. Mining men here are as a unit
opposed to the square location system, which
they do not hesitate to denounce as vicious
and detrimental to our best interest. In Or
der that there may be no mistake in the mat
ter, however, and that the views of repre-
sentative men of tie district may be made
public, a reporter yesterday visited many
prominent mine owners and was rewarded
with a full expression Of their ideas on the
subject.
Mr.. W. 4. Clark, of the Dexter mill com
pany, and owner of some very valuable
mines now undergoing successful devel-
opment, when asked for his opinion replied
in substance: 81 regard the proposed law as
a gross outrage, for the preparation Of which
there is not the semblance Of q warrant. The
principal reason the commissioner advance
in advocacy of its passage is that it will insure
peaceable possession of mining property.
The exact contrary Is the case, and if the law
were put into effect the consequent litigation
would be interminable.. The law is totally
inapplicable to the mining industry in every
camp west of the Rocky Mountains, and l
can see neither Justice nor common sense in
its enactment. All the best mines of the
Territory dip more or less abruptly from the
surface, and to deprive q man of the right 10
follow his ledge to the deep where the best
ores are found and to give 10 another all the
benefit of its discovery and development sim
ply because it may happen to dip out of the
vertical side line, seems to be a most unjusti-
fable Infringement upon natural rights, the
observance of which is absolutely required
for the material prosperity of every camp on
the coast. I can conceive Of no reasons which
the commissioners can urge in defense of the
position they have taken, but it is quite evi-
dent that had their object been to paralyzG
the mining industry of the entire west, they
could resort to no more effective means than
to secure The passage of the square location
law
Judge \. j. DaYis, owner of the famous
Lexington mine and mill as well as many
other valuable properties in this vicinity, was
equally surprised that intelligent men, after
personally examining the several districts Of
this and other territories, could seriously p:o-
pose a square location law to be applied to
assure veins, and said: "When Mr.. Donald
son. one of the commissioners, was out here
last fall, he held a conference in my Office
with Mr.. DAILY, of the Alice, Mr.. W. A. Clark,
myself and a number of others, and seemed
to listen very attentIvely to our testimony,
which he committed to writing. The subject
of square locations being brOachcd, an ami
mated discussion eEsued in which the injus-
tice of a square 10 alton law was very plainly
shown. Mr.. Donaldson was utterly unable
to support his position and to all appear
ances was convirced that he was i'll error.
The testimony ELECTED by the commissioners
in Utah. Nevada, California and all other
mineral sections west of the Rocky Moun-
taips was similar in effect to that which we
submitted as the indignant protests now arts
inu al over the coast amply testify. Men who
! have expended the greater part OF their lives
in the prosecution of mining dcv elolment,
certainly should be competent to suggest
what changes, if any, are needed in the pres
ON, mining laws, and as they have, rs with
one voice, exclaimed against the violent inno-
yatjous proposed by these Washington mining
cxpets. it seems that common respect for
mnhIic opinion would induce them to make
no suggestions which the Judgment OF
experienced miners does not approve.
cannot understand what honest motive is
The ,.arsc of the commissioners recommends
t;,,s for it is safe to say that linetcnths Of
the testimony they took was strongly opposed
to the square location system which they are
NOW advocating. 1t is not altogether impossi-
b,a that Colorado influence is at the bottom
of the movement. Colorado money is a
,,vsr in Washington, as l fully ascertained
,;,;t tbnra and from the fact that