Sacramento daily record-union. [volume] (Sacramento [Calif.]) 1875-1891, 1886-02-27
SAN FRANCISCO LETTER.
STATE MINING BUREAU AND
MUSEUM.
Sax FRANCISCO, February Is, 1856.

me otdle M udS lcCcltiy OccL IT,
moved from Suffer street to the imposing
structure recently erected by the Society of
California Pioneers, on Fourth street, just
south of Market, in this city. 1t occupies
one-half of the third floor and the entire
upper floor of the building. the latter being
devoted to the exhibits of the museum and
the former to various uses connected with
the institution. 1t may be mentioned that
the museum is located in the main build
ing, fronting on Fourth street, which really,
except by proximity, forms no part of the
Pioneers Hall, the latter being in the rear
of the main building in the form of an ad-
dition, fronting on what is to be causeway
between the contemplated Flood building
and the north side of the Pioneer property.
The State Museum and its adiuncts,
which will not be opened to visitors for at
least three weeks yet, on account of re-
moval from former quarters, and the ar
ranging of specimens, will be reached
either by elevator or by a spacious stair
way. The one-half of the third floor of
the building will be occupied as a reception
room, library, Trustees meeting room,
packing-room and laboratory-should the
CAAsoih6 AlNSioAotuiC PiOfi0C lOI tnC llldlll-
tenance of the last-named. The packing
room is where contributions or consign-
ments of specimens are received, opened
and classified, and wherein duplicate speci-
mems are arranged sorted and packed for
shipment to the various educational insti-
tutions of the State, which are supplied by
the Museum with contributions to their
mineral cabinets.
The spacious top floor, which is lighted
amply by skylights and windows, will be
occupied entirely by the museum collec-
ton. which now comprises the contents of
Log table-cases, aggregating 5000 mineral
specimens, representing the mineral pro-
ducts of the entire world-but particularly
those of the State of California; also six
large vertical cases, which will contain
specimens in natural history and eth
nology
The museum is under the charge of Prof.
Henry G. Hanks, State Mineralogist, gen.
tleman versed by education and practical
experience in geology, mineralogy and the
other natural sciences. When opened for
visitors the institution will be free to all
between the hours of 8 o'clock A. NJ and 5
P. NJ, and every courtesy will be shown to
all callers. Every specimen will be legibly
and simply labeled, and the visitor will be
aided by complete catalogue of all on
exhibition. All the publications of the
library are free, but there is dearth of the
reports of the State Mineralogist, owing to
the demand heretofore made for them, and
the fact that the issue is limited by the Act
creating the museum.
The library is incomplete, but, neverthe-
less, contains few rare and valuable vol
umes. 1t needs enlargement, and it might
be suggested that Adolph Sutro could make
no better use of the valuable works he pos
uanlonu and EinIraI
than to present them to this library
The museum, in addition to the large
number of specimens already classified
has on hand large number of specimens
awaiting classification and arrangement
and from this supply the duplicates for
distribution among the educational institu-
ions will be drawn.
With the present condition and future
prospects of the Museum as an educator in
what is now, and must ever be- one of the
leading industrial pursuits of the State and
one OF our chief sources of wealth and
prosperity, the appropriation of $4,000 per
annum for its support is considerably too
small. As the case stands now, the entire
work devolyes on Mr.. Hanks, the funds AT
command being too small to permit of the
employment of either clerical, scientific or
manual assistance. 1t is thought that an
increase of the appropriation to $4,000
would overcome all these difficulties and
make the Museum what its founders in
tended it should be-complete in every de-
partment- The law creating the Museum
gives the tax on certificates of mining
STOCKS tl0 cents per certificate) as fund to
the Museum, but the mining stock bust
ness has fallen into the sere and yellow
leaf, with small prospect of revival, legiti-
mate mining having crowded out wild
speculation in mines, and the income from
the source mentioned is too small TO be of
much benefit.
As showing the importance the Museum
Is assuming, the State Mineralogist is in
constant receipt of letters from all over the
civilized world, asking for documents and
information connected with the institution.
and 1t is impossible to supply some of the
documents, owing to their being out of
print. These might be republished, and
the limit for future publications should be
enlarged. The Museum can be made a
school in itself. and its possibilities are
that it can be created mining college, in
which young men choosing the professions
of mineralogist, meteorological chemist,
geologist, miner or mining engineer can
obtain practical instruction by converse
with the rocks and stones.
The Pioneer building is hardly vet in
running order, though practically finished
1t is noble building as it fronts on Fourth
street, but Pioneer Hall in the alley is
rather modest, and reminds one of the par
sonage attached to a church. However. the
names of James Lick, who bequeathed the
money for the building, can but be satisfied
when the building is fully occupied and
the rough edges of newness worn off. Two
thirds OF the second floor of the main build
ing is occupied by the Deutscher Verein,
German social organization, with rooms
handsomely furnished, containing piano.
billiard table and other necessaries to make
merry the life of the jovial Teuton. The
Native Sons of the Golden West are nego-
tiating for quarters in the building, but
nothing definite has been yet arranged 1t
would be appropriate that the aSons y
should be located close to the Pioneers, so
that the !" Governors" can keep an eye on
them; but as thick walls would separate
the two societies, perhaps the boys would
not care.
THE TRIAL OF BROWN
Which has just closed in this city, attracted
considerable interest, and its details were
eagerly looked for in the eastern section of
the State of Nevada, where the parties are
well known. Briefly, B. J. Shay, at the
time of his killing, followed ostepsibly the
business of real estate agent in this citv.
l believe in the de naorfuis mil nisi bonitna in
so far as it can do no injury to the living
but, in this case, sense of the right impels
to say bad words of the dead | first saw
Shay in the year 1868 in the town of Aus
tin. Nevada, during the Reese river excite
ment, when he was a professional lot
jumper and bully, with his hand ever on
the butt of mis- six-shooter. Brown | be-
came acquainted with in 1875, in Eureka,
New. he at that time being coal-receiver OF
the K. X. mine, responsible position. His
Dxs>f., r. n.