Sacramento daily record-union. [volume] (Sacramento [Calif.]) 1875-1891, 1883-03-10

wanted little British gold brought in and
left there by those who would be attracted
by the so called rich mining prospect.
The Beers do not object to English gold,
even if they do not like the ''cursed En-
elishmsn," or the "dommed schelm En-
gIishmen," as the Dopper (Datchmanl
epithesically calls them. The African Beers
are an ignorant, bigoted set +; at least that
is the natural and current condition Of
most Of them-Boers by name, and, as
rule, by nature. The Boer is peculiar in
dividual, and has peculiar ideas of his
tights and relations to other people. He
wants responsible Government he wants
his Independence from other nations and
people, when, at the same time, he is as in
capable of self.government and self protec-
ton as certain other subjects of ubiquitous
Great Bcitain. Taxes are something that
the Beers never can see through nor IN.
derstsnd, and in nine cases out of ten never
pays They have fine country-that Is,
fine for Africa-but they are too lazy and
indolent to develop it's resources. Good
water, for instance, can be obtained there
by going to depth of 80 to $50 feet, and
vet they are so shiftless and have such total
lack of enterprise, that instead of sinking
wells they throw mp a sort of dam, forming
pands or small reservoirs, which are filed
by catchment during the rainy season, and
drink and use it during the dry season, not
withstanding it gets filed with insects and
becomes foul, beyond description, from
their cattle and herds helping themselves
from the same ponds, if they do not dry up
altogether, as is frequently the case. When
it gives out Trey complaosntly move to
some other locality where supply of wa
ter can be had. This is an expressive and
characteristic habit Of the Beer.
THE DISBURSEMENT.
The English Government, however, is
not much better. It imposes license tax
of ESQ per annum on prospeotors, who, be-
sides, are required to give heavy bonds. A
fine way to develop country; and yet
that's specimen of the English statesman.
ship and English common sense exercised
10 Africa. How would California miners
like such law, and where would your
State and it's developments be to-day if the
United States had adopted such suicidal
and unstatesmanlike course in her possess
sions, now grown to be a queenly empire
upon the Pacific Coast The absence of
such a liberal and fostering policy on the
part of Great Britain, in dealing with the
natives, and others who come upon and &C.
cupy her possessions in Africa, will, instead
of bringing forth the resources of the coun.
try and developing the wealth with which
nature has been prodigal towards her in
many parts, keep them closed as a sealed
book, to await wiser generation among
the ruling and administrative classes in
England, who might well study, even the
simpler principles of political economy,
from those practiced in America in this
regard, and greatly to
THEIR OWN ENLIGHTENMENT AND NATIONAL
PROFIT.
If a man here discovers diamond mine,
or any other mine for that mstter-which
is situated on land whose minerals are re.
served to the Crown, and the reserve will
always be found where there is the slight.
est danger" of finding any kind of a
mine-he cannot work it until he has
worked himself through slow, tedious
and costly series of red tape formalities.
II the mine be upon land not so reserved,
he cannot work il even if the owner per-
mits him to do so, since the passage of the
new Diamond Trade Act of 1882; nor can
he sell diamonds, when found, outside of
mines or diggings, In fact, he may regard
himself lucky, in relation to any he
may find, if the so.called Government
does not sell them for him, and most
graciously allow him ten per cent. OF their
value, as the royal pleasure in his behalf.
That is the law in relation to stones picked
up in the streets. You must surrender
them to this boosted patron of the most
advanced civilization-the English Govern.
ment, or its officers and lackeys-under
penalty of Ave years imprisonment and
$500 fine, or both, at the discretion of the
authority administering the law. When
given up to the Government the law fixes
the rate at ten per cent. Of the value OF
the find as the reward to the finder.