The Salt Lake herald. [volume] (Salt Lake City [Utah]) 1870-1909, 1881-12-13
INNING DEBRIS.
Getting the California Trouble
Before Congress.

Wiilg next 4u6sQhyt Introduce iQLO bQo
House of Representatives the following
self explanatory bill, on the subject of
mining debris:
Whereas, contest exists in the courts
of the state of California. between o por-
ton Of the agricultural community and
the mining industry of that state, by
reason Of the assertion by the miners, of
the right to work their mines by hydrAu-
lie and other processes which have been
continually In use since the diGcovery Of
precious metals on the Pacific Coast,
which rights and use have been sane
toned by the laws and by common
usage during the past thirty years or
more, and
Whereas, these rights and common
custom are not disputed by the owners of
lands in valleys below the mines, q large
amount of which have been injured by
the deposit of tGllings, or debris from the
mines, ssnd
Whereas, Large portions Of the sgri.
cultural lands Of said state are in danger
Of destruction from the results of said n.y.
dranlic mining, and towns and cities on
the banks o. the streams affected by the
debris are being destroyed; and,
Whereas, The agricultural interests of
California, the frst%heat producing state
Of the Union, as well ss the labor of our
farmers, are being destroyed by debris
covering up their feds, gardens and
homes; and,
Whereas, The results Of thirty years.
toll are thus imperilled and families and
communities threatened with impoveri: h.
ment; and,
Whereas, The harbor of San Fran
cisco is being shoaled by deposits of min
ing debris, and it is only a question OF
time when serious consequences therefrom
may impede the national commerce of
that important harbor; and,
Whereas, the state of California asserts
the right to control the rivers Of chat
state under the plea that mining opera
tors are damaging them, and
Whereas, the state of California,
through its legislature, some two years
ince, enacted law to provide drainage,
having for its object to cure The evils
complained of, end
Whereas, the supreme court of the
state has recently decided that the state
has no such power, thus leaving the con-
test between the conflicting interests to
continue, and
Whereas, this contest, which is now
pending in the state and Federal courts,
involving vast interests and will contInue
unless remedial measures are taken by
the general government, which can
alone grspple with these issues by insti-
tuting q system of public works, aud
Whereas, the present contest, if con-
tiGued, will lead to serious results, preju-
dicial in many wsys 10 the best interests
OF the nation at large, and
Whereas, The Congress Of the United
States has, by various ensctments ex-
tending through long series Of years,
encouraged and fostered the mining in
dustry, by a reservation Of its mineral
lands from sale except for mining pur-
poses, and also by specially providing
for the protection of water rights, re-
servoirs, and rights Of way for canals,
for water used in the mines as well as
for the use Of timber upon the public
lands for the same purpose, and has also
charged the miners doubls the price for
mineral lands that it has charged sgri-
cultu3ists for farming lands and,
Whereas, By reason ofsuch encourage
ment and fostering influences the mining
industry ON the Pacific Coast has attsineI
enormous proportions in which industry
our citizens have invested their means to
the extent of at least 5000, O0O, 900, which
investment, by reason efthe present con-
fict, is placed in jeopardy and is at
present seriously em bsrrassed by legal
complications, and
Whereas, through the mining industry
10 California alone not less than S ,20O,-
00O, 900 in gold has been extracted from
the earth, which sustained the nation in
its time oftrouble and
Whereas, the largest known gold de-
post in the world, estimated to contain
at least $3, 600, 0e0, 600, is contained in
the auriaerous gravel channel In the
state of Californis, which caa only be
extracted by the modes and ussges in
operation during the past thirty years,
and out of which is taken yearly at
least $4,000, 600 out of a total gold
yearly product of 1000, 900, and
Whereas, this yearly product will con-
tinue for the next 100 years or more, if
the gold-producing interest is properly
protected and cared for By the general
government. but which is now seriously
EN- bsrrassed by conflicting interests, and
whereas, 1t is believed that proper
system of engineering works mot expen-
sive, when the vast interests at stake are
considered,) can be constructed by the
general government without injury to
any interest, but with benefit to all, by
which the mines can continue to be
worked without detriment to the agricul-
tural interests, and thus keep up the
yearly supply Of gold, so essential to our
prosperity; and
Whereas, The known gold srea which
will pay to mine by any known process
is quite limited, and the agricultural area
practically unlimited; and
Whereas, The policy Of our govern
ment i now an / has be8n to protect and
foster in all ways the production OF the
precious metals and the mining Indus
tries connected herewith; and
Whereas, It is believed that the settle
ment of grave issues which have Hris'
in the state Of California between tie
mining and agricultural interests, owing
to the physicsl Gestures of that state and
the location OF the mines, is peculiar ,
under the province of the general gov
eminent. which has resped~ such vast
benefits from the mining interests IN that
state, to harmonic these Interests, which,
it is confidently stated By ouFstno3t able
scientific engineers, can be done oy Inc
construction of proper works at the e1-
pense Of the general COVE nmenti
therefore,. be It enacted 6y the Se"sae
cstd House of Rep reSentdtiveS OF t"e
U.slted States of Americe, IN Congress
assembled, that she. suR OF SoeV," pc;