Sacramento daily record-union. [volume] (Sacramento [Calif.]) 1875-1891, 1884-01-08
THE HYDRAULIC MINING DECISION,

At this writing we are receiving full
synopsis of the decision of the United
States Circuit Court in the latest n.y.
draulic mining case. It is impossible
to give it at this time the perusal
necessary to an intelligent consideration
of the line of the argument. But in
the fact that the valleys win in this st1ug-
gle with hydraulic mining, and that the
Court affords them full protection from the
future flow OF tailings from hydraulic mines
that have been filling up the navigable
streams, and rendering valueless vast areas
OF bottom lands, and increasing the insecu.
rity of cities, towns and villages, tae people
find ample cause for rejoicing. That most
delicate thermometer the financial valua.
ton OF river lands and town Iots, indicates
how vastly important is the question upon
which the Court has passed, for upon the
announcement Of the judgment yesterday
values were reported as Immediately ad-
vanced, and the most buoyant tone was
given to city property that has character
lied such possessions for many years. In
the qualification that the residents of the
valley feel there is no sentiment of mere
exultation over the people of the hydraulic
mining sections. The granting of per-
petual injunction in the Woodruff case is
to them serious blow, but one which we
believe will be but temporary, as it will
tend only to divert their energies to
other and unobjectionable methods of
mining, and to industries which will in
time prove equally as beneficial as
the industry now forbidden. The people
of the valley have never complained of any
mining processes excspt those which di-
rectly menaced their homes and threatened
to submefge them beneath the destructive
debris washed from the Sierra Nevada's
slopes.
In all this struggle there has not been on
the part of the people of the valley any
desire for the injury of their neighbors
They have been actuated in their litigation
by determination to invoke all the power
their own possessions. At no time since
this question became public one have
We ever lacked faith in the equities of the
case OF the valley. When all efforts to
adjust the difficulty, and save both the
mining and agricultural industries from in.
jury, failed, and the question was taken
into the Courts, we have had no particle of
doubt concerning the ultimate outcome
nor as to what it should be. That |
hydraulic mining must cease to be men, |
ace to valley property was long since seen
to be inevitable. In the very nature of !
things the destruction of navigable waters. |
the heritage of all the people, could not be |
permitted. In the very nature of things
the blotting out of agricultural lands and |
the turning of valley sections into inhos
.pitabie wastes could not be consented to.
no matter what injury might result from |
the cessation of the hydraulic mining in. /
dustry. The valley wins in a fair struggle |
for the third time before jurists of unim- |
peachable integrity and unouestioned
legal ability. This should end the
long-standing and damaging contest. The
people of the cOntending sections should
settle down to the repair of the injuries of
the past, the checking of the flow
Of deposited debris which still men
aces the rivers and bottom lands: to
the upbuilding of industries in mountain
and in valley, and to the unifcation Of
effort in both regions for the development
of all their possibilities. The case may be
taken to the Supreme Court of the United
States, but we entertain the belief that it
will not be so advanced, but will be &C.
cepted as finality, as it should be. With.
out exulting over the misfortune of the
hydraulic miners, the people of the valley
have every reason for mutual congratula-
ton and enthusiastic rejoicing There is
now no serious remaining doubt regarding
the ruling of all the Courts on this vexed t
question. A rapid reading of the decision
Is it comes to hand convinces the impartial
mind of its entire justice and of the sound :
less of the judgment perpetually restrain. o
pg the further deposition Of mining tail. ri