Eureka daily sentinel. [volume] (Eureka, Nev.) 1871-1887, 1882-07-27
THE CHiL.C0T BILL.

Chilcot bill, the object of which is to
demand security for costs from parties
setting up an adverse claim to contest a
patent for mining land. He gives as the
reason for his opposition that the bill is
framed in the interest OF mining corpora
tors to the detriment of poor prospect
ors: that the latter may thereby lose
their rights by reason of their poverty
and consequent inability to press suit.
The stand taken by Mr.. Cassidy may
not seem altogether logical at first view,
but upon closer consideration it will be
found that his opposition to the proposed
measure is grounded in good policy and
isfor the interest Of the greatest number.
The Reese River Reveille, in discussing
the Chilcot bill, grants that Mr.. Cassidy
is correct il his argument in SO far that
it may deprive the poor prospector Of his
rights, but argues on the other hand
that without such hindrancc to litiga-
ton as is proposed there will be 10 check
to T. system Of blackmail that has been in
: FOR years. ''AIr. Cassidy says
our contemporary, 'is wrong in the prop
osition that patents for mining and other
lands are sought altogether by rich min
ing corporations and spectators. Hun
dreds Of poor men, small mining operat-
ors and others desiring to secure the
Government title to their mines or lands
have been and are annoyed by irrespon-
sibIe parties filing adverse claims just
for the sake of what they can make out
of it by forcing the honest applicant for
patent to buy them Off or be subjected
to great extra expense and delay in OBJ
tanning their patent. 1t is but right that
ANNOYING, mercenary, irresponsible par
ties should have a check upon them and
be made and held responsible to some
reasonable extent. There is right and
wrong in all cases, and the Chilcot bill is
intended to right a recognized and in
creasing wrong
1t is otherwise urged that if an adj
verse claim is set up in good faith and
that if the claim is Of value there will
be no difficulty in the prospector's giving
the required security for costs. This is
all we'll enough in theory, but fails in
practice. The prospector may have
faith in his claim, he may be sure OF
his right, but while he IS probably SC
poor as not to be able to get grub
without the greatest difficulty, it might
be impossible for him to give bonds foi
$500 or $500, or whatever the cost:
would be. Not having the money him
self, he would probably find it hard tc
get anybody to 60 his security, for often
a prospect which is valuable is not ap'
preciated by money-lenders who prefer
to consider it a mere 'hole in the
ground" until they see bullion evidence
to the contrary. For the lack OF ability
to give security we can readily see that
many a poor but honest miner might
lose the privileges guaranteed him by
law as well as the results Of his sole
capitalize sweat of his brow.
As to the argument Of the Reveille
that hundreds OF poor men, as we'll as
rich corporations, are annoyed by adverse
claims gotten up for purpopes OF black
mail, the consideration is a serious one,
if true to the extent urged. This we do
not believe to be the case so generally.
B~laoknailors usually select their vic.
tins from among the rich, those from
whom there is a chance to obtain hush
money in quantity to warrant their
interruptions tricks. 1t is not to be
apprehended so much that blackmailers
will select poor prospeotors for their
prey as that they will make rich corpor.
atoms their object of attack. But more
than this, a good deal Of such black
mailing is undertaken as a bluff. When
hlackmailers, having, Of course, no good
grounds for adverse claim, are met by
determined opposition from those who
are the rightful proprietors they do not
last long in the fight. But granting all
that the Reveille argues, there re-
mains but a choice OF evils, the less of
which is the trouble to be feared from
blaokmailers.
We believe that Mr.. Cassidy has taken
the proper stand, and that his action will
be approved by a large majority of min.
ers. Laws should be made to protect
the poor; the rich can protect themselves.
1t should be made as easy as possible for
the prospector to present his claims and
maintain his standing in the Courts.
Blackmailers are an inevitable plague,
and are common enemies to miners, rich
as we'll as poor. To legislate them out
OF existence would be impossible. With
them out of the consideration, Mr..
Cassidy's very laudable aim is to save
the impecunious prospector from being
robbed of his lawful rights at the hands
OF rich mining companies by means of
the proposed specious and cunningly
devised Act Of legislation that would do
much to hamper and cripple our prinoi-
pal industry at a point where it should
be most thoroughly protected and ten
derby fostered.
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