Sacramento daily record-union. [volume] (Sacramento [Calif.]) 1875-1891, 1884-01-11
An INVITATION TO TIE NBN CT
tbs MOUNTAINS.

Whatever may be the present feeling of
the people of the mining sections where
industry is affected by the Circuit Court
decision relative to hydraulic mining, it
must be accepted that ultimately the rule
laid down by the Court must prevail and
be final. That is to say, though appeals
may delay it, the time is near at hand when
the whole question will be closed beyond
revival, for it is impossible to conceive of
a continuance of the acts that are de-
stroying our rivers and valley lands.
Assuming that our fellow. citizens of the
mountains are not misled, and realize this
fact and the ultimate outcome, it follows
that the next thing they should do is to turn
attention to methods of promoting the
growth of the mountain regions.
1t is more than foolish to yield to the
depression of the present. 1t is un-American
and inconsistent with the character of this
people to "give up" to use homely
phrase. We do not believe that they will
do so. We have a higher estimate of their
courage skill and sturdy devotion to their
homes and The cities of the Sierra slopes.
Not all the mining region is to be in
jured by the cessation of the present
methods of hydraulic mining; drift and
quartz mining methods have not been as
sailed the gathering and sale of water
need not cease utterly the laborers OF the
mountains need not for all the future re-
main idle, nor need their numbers grow
less but rather augment.
The questions present themselves, what
are the possibilities of the mountains
May not the abandonment of hydraulic
methods after all prove to them blessing?
May not vine and fruit-growing, berry,
herb and root plant cultivation generally,
and agriculture to great extent, supplant
hydraulic mining, engaging greater mum.
Der OF workers by far than now employed.
largely add to the wealth OF the region,
augment its population, and lead to the
development Of other profitable industries
1850 80 NV INV az all plOulOktu Is not
the capacity Of the western slope of the
mountains greater for supporting popula-
tion than the slopes Of the Alleghanies and
the mountain regions OF New England
Are not the possibilities OF the region
more promising, more easy of attainment.
and restrained by fewer obstacles, than
any other mountain region of the TEN.
perate zone In short is there not every
reason, IN view of al that has been and is
being accomplished in the mountains in
other industries than mining, to believe
that in very few years full development
OF the whole region can be made by
unobicctionable mining, by agriculture,
horticulture, etc, in comparison with which
the present contribution of hydraulic
mining TO the prosperity and happiness Of
the people and the population Of the noun.
tain region, Will sink into insigniicance
1t is not the purpose nor do we propose
now to enter responses aifirmatively "a all
these inquiries, although our conviction is
E4S'S4NN sH"E 'AO INNING communities
are but IN their infancy as to wealth, pop.
ulstion, general industry and prosperity.
and that the decision now felt to be a seri.
Gus blow, is in fact but the opening of the
door upon new era for the mountain sec.
ton Of the State which hydraulic mining
has been washing to the valleys
But We do propose that the people of
both the valley and mountain shall have
full and ample opportunity to discuss the
whole subject and exchange views in the
freest possible manner. To that end we
invite the intelligent, concise, practical
communications. for which the columns of
the RECORD. UNIos are open upon the fol-
lowing subjects
l. The diversion Of the storage and dis.
posal of water in the mountains for the
purposes of irrigation in mountains and
foothills.
,. The capabilities of the soil at vary
ing attitudes for cultivation, and varied !
earth production, aud the proti!ableness OF
such industry.
8. The prosecution Of work in hydraulic