The weekly miner. [volume] (Butte, Mont.) 1878-1881, 1881-11-15
THn DEBRIS QUESTION.

This question bids fair to assume . very
grave aspect in California in the near future,
and, If It does not lead to bloodshed before it
is finally settled the escape will be due to the
fact that the plaintiff in the case fails 10 pursue
the matter further. 1t appears that some
time ago Judge Keyser issued an Injunction
restraining certain mining companies from
suffering dsbris-or slickens as it is generally
termed-from their placer claims to fow into
paid no attention 10 the order of the Court,
but washed away o N their claims as usual.
Upon the showing of this fact, Judge May
hew, of the Superior Court, which was held
at Marysville, made an order requiring
the defendants to appear there on the
25th inst, and show cause why they
should not be punished for contempt.
The defendants in this case are five large
companies, all operating placer mining
claims in Nevada county. The order COM
mands the sheriff Of that county to proceed
forthwith to the mines owned by the COM
panies named and close dswn and shut off
the water therefrom and to keep the same
closed down until further order of the court.
The announcement of this order was re-
ceived by the miners with much surprise but
created no alarm among them. The miners
have been advised by prominent counsel that
the order is illegal and they have warned the
sheriff that he would be treated as q trespas-
ser if he attemp ted to enforce it. The sher-
iii says he will seek reliable legal advice and
If he is assured that 1t is his duty TO shut off
the water he will do it. Thus the matter
stood At last advicss.
The miners are emphatic in their express
sion of a determination to oppose any inter-
ference with their mining operations and the
entire population of the mining counties will
stand behind them and support them in any
course, no matter how violent or desperate
they may adopt to defend what they conceive
to be their rights. They all feel that it the
order of the court be enforced and the mines
shut down that there is nothing left for them
mining interest in the foot hill counties are SO
interviewer with those pursued by others
than miners that to cripple the latter affects
the others, hence there is but one opinion en-
tertained among them all concerning the
course to be pursued and that is q firm, un-
yielding opposition to the mandate
of any court looking to the
closing down Of the placer mines.
Placer mining was the first industry pursued
IN California, and from 1910 to the present
time that State has produced over ~S9s0,0OO,-
600 worth of gold. In one year alone-1S52
$50 100000 were taken from the placer
mines. At the present time its hydraulic
mines yield SIP, 00e, 600 annually. They en-
ploy directly and indirectly a vast number of
men and support a large population. To
cause them to be closed down now would
be killing the goose that lays the golden egg,
and at the same time work ruin to thousands
who depend altogether upon the placer mill
ing industry for their support. While the
question has two sides it can admit of ont
ore solution that will subserve the ends OF
justice and at the same time preserve the
rights of a large number Of deserving men,
and that is by permitting the miners to peace
ably pursue their employment, which right
they lave gained by priority Of possession
and by virtue of sustaining the great indus
try that made California what it is to-day.