Sacramento daily record-union. [volume] (Sacramento [Calif.]) 1875-1891, 1881-01-14

| changing the very face of the State.
Regarding this position as demonstrated, it be-
necessary to consider the effects of this change
upon the State. 1t has been shown that the north
ern region would be very seriously burdened by the
removal Of the means of competition which the
rivers afford 1t must further be realized that
this injury would affect present population of at
least 100000 of whom one-third would be directly,
and two-thirds indirectly, concerned. The effect
upon the value of land cannot be ignored, either.
1t is evident that if through any cause the cost OF
transportation is raised 81 ton, the products OF the
region affected must by this change be put at an
increased disadvantage equal to the removal OF
their lands from a market distance represented by
the enhanced ratio Of transportation. Their lands
are in fact thereby put as much further from the
market as 81 viii carry ton of wheat, and the conse
quence must be to lower the value OF land exposed
to such an impost 1t is well known that the value
of agricultural land, given an average fertility.
depends upon the ability of the cutivator
to carry his products to market at profit.
Around every great market may be drawn a
circle which, at greater or less distance incloses
the area OF possible profitable production. Beyond
that circle no natural fertility of soil VIII clmpen
safe for the distance from market Within
that circle all production is profitable Now it is
clear that g ton might easily make the dferen ce
between possibility and impossibiity, in trans
portation, for it might represent the difference
between profit and loss. Ii it operated as him
drance to the shipment OF grain, it would of course
deprive all the land exposed to its influence Of
value for the production Of cereals and in Call
fornia that would probably mean the deprivation
of all value | have endeavored to reach an ap-
ploxmate estimate of the loss OF values to be APP
pretended in this direction from che destruction Of
the principal waterways, and l find that it cannot
be fairly stated at less than $780, 900. Large
as this amount may seem at the first glance, am
satisfied that no one can go carefully and fully into
the considerations involved without being con
WINGED that have sought rather TO under than
overstate the probabilities.
1t might appear that the only rational inference
from the facts thus far given would be the desira-
hility OF putting stop to hydraulic mining. 1t
therefore is proper al this point to make OBJ
servations on the value and Importance of that in
terest Hydraulic mining has been carried on in
this State for twenty-five years. The present an
nual output of the hydraulic mines is estimated at
from SO, 100000 to S14,000 000. 1t is therefore
apparent that estimate OF $3.50, O000 600 for the
whole period of their working is not extravagant.
1t is equally clear that while accurate estimate of
their future output be made it s safe to assume
that it will be larger than it has been in the past
since the extent of gravelbsarine claims remaining
unworked is practically unlimited, and since many
very extensive workings have either Just been
opened or are not yet opened so as to be largely
=
the hydraulic mines have contributed greatly to the
prosperity Of the State and viii contribute still
more largely in the future, if suffered to proceed
very considerable population is supported by these
mines. | estimate it at 10000 and the indirect sup
port is very much more extensive The counties in
which the principal hydraulic mines are situated
may be said to depend almost entirely upon the
mining industry. All values in those counties are
therefore dependent upon the prosperity OF this
interest. What this involves may be perceived by
reference to the comprehensive decline OF values in
Virginia City consequent upon the depreciation of
the mines on the Comstock lode. In that case the
mining population was thinned out, the value of
real property fell to panic prices and the general
effect upon the prosperity of the community was as
disastrous though every man in the city had been
directly interested in the mines. Similar results
must always follow where the intimacy of the rela-
tons between the various interests is as great as in
the mining counties of California. The suppression
OF hydraulic mining, tn refore, would in all proba-
biity be productive of general collapse throughout
this region. Not only would there en5ue positive
and direct loss to the State in the cessation of aurf
erous production but the entire industries, CONNER
cial activities, and general civilization of the
mining counties would be virtually destroyed,
and it must be apprehended that the
tax paying as well as the wealth p o.
ducing capacities of those counties would be
plralyzed | have ehdeavorei as much as possible
to confne my observations to matters of fact and
legitimate inference, but it is apparent that great
deal remliDs to be said on the subject of equities,
for the discussiol OF which this IS not the mos.
proper place 1t is nevertheless evident that the nv
draulic mining interest is an important one. 1t
may be said regards its annual output. repre-
sent fixed capital of 800, 100000 and directly
and indirectly it affords support to a consi erable
population. Even the farmers in the valley, who
occupy lands on the verge of the mineral area owe
portion of their prosperity to these mines, which
create brisk demand for their produce, and de-
mand the loss of which would be severely felt
Clearly therefore, it must be very serious business
to put stop by legislation to this great industry
and it seems impossible that those who undertake to
study the subject should conclude such course to
be necessary until it had been demonstrated that it
was impracticable to the rivers and the farms
and cities without sacrificing the mines.
The preliminary and the late surveys of the En-
giueering Department have been devoted to the
calculation OF this problem. The engineers were re-
quired to ascertain the extent of the injury present
and prospective, and whether remedial measures
were available. Their reports have shown ~, that
the extent and gravity of the damage and are
far greater than had been commonly supposed ~
that it was possible to counterac the i'll effects of
hydrau ic mining by systematic treatment OF the
rivers; (3 that such systematic treatment of the
rivers was necessary in any case since it would be
impossible to meet the exigencies of the situation
by merely stopping hydraulic mining. 1t does not
come within any province to deal with the hydrosate
laws and principles by which the engineers explain
the condition Of the rivers. 1t is sufficient to state
that the most formidable danger to the low lands is
due to the deposit in the mountain streams and
tributaries OF enormous quantities of heavy sand,
which is being washed down lower every year. The
deposit of this sand continue until the entire
Sacramento valley is covered and DESTROYED, even
though hydraulic mining should be stopped at once
unless remedial measures adopted. In fact, it
may be asserted that the stoppage of hydraulic min
ing in the present stage of the debris evil would pro-
duce no alienation whatever. There is mass of
mining debris now collected in the canyons of the
mountains sufficient to cover the Sacramento vale,
completely couple OF feet deep, and this matter
will continueto be washed down every winter until
the beds OF the river are entirely choked and until
the destruction inflicted upon the valley agricultural
lands has become past relief or reparaton.
1t is however practicable in the opinion of the
State and Consulting Engineers to deal with the
stultion, and in doing to at once save the rivers
and the mes. Whether it is true craftsmanship
to accept this proposition seems to depend upln
consideration of the relative cost of reclamation
and value of the property to be reclaimed In other
words, it requires to be ascertained whether the
State better afford to sustain the cost of recla
nation than to bear the losses resulting from the
destructio of property which must follow either a.
the stoppage OF hydraulic mining, or (2) the aban-
donment of the rivers and agricultural lands and
valley towns 10 the flow of the advancing wave of
debris.
of the values represented on both Sides 1t has been
shown that if the flow of debris is unchecked, to a
positive loss OF So 000 coo in land must succeed
further loss of $4,000 900 in real property that to
this ,rzt he adJai at least sIO Oo0 oO0 for dasr,,