Sacramento daily record-union., 1888-12-04
THE HYDRAULIC MIRING INvEsTI.
CATION

CATION,
The Commercial Herald of San Francisco
permits a correspondent to assail the
REcoRD-UNIoN because of its comments
upon the hydraulic debris investigation
The letter OF Mr. Crossman attributes to
the REcoRD-UNIoN expressions it did not
make. 1t is full Of bitterness, and its pro-
hydraulic mining character as unconcealed,
as its unjust aspersions and its charge that
the champions of the valley cause are in
sincere and engaged in deluding the agri-
culturist. The statement is made, also
that the RECORD UNION is the recognized
organ of the Anti-Debris Association.
This journal holds no relation of any
character to that organization, further than
its interest for public good may relate it
to similar effort by that body. Indeed, the
REcoRD-UNIoN is not even acquainted
with the officers Of the Association The
RECORD UNION is entirely Independent in
its course upon the question, and cham
pions the cause of the valley solely because
of its own conviction of what is right and
best for the people.
Since the matter is again up, we take
occasion to repeat that the Engineering
Commission now sitting is an object of
profound interest in the valley, and that
1T is the public judgment throughout the
valley that it should hold its sessions upon
the field of its inquiries. We know of no
reason to doubt the impartiality of the
Commission, or its intention to be thorough
and Just IN its inquiries. At the same
time we epeat-though the correspondent
referred to absurdly construes it to be an
assault upon the Commission-that gentle
men who are strangers to the case and
the question, which is phenomenal, not
known in the books and stands alone
because of its peculiarities, cannot so well
examine into it at arms length and alone
as they could by working at close quarters
and with each side represented to direct
attention to the character of the issue, the
claims in the contention and to interpose
where error is presented and assertion at
tempted to be substituted for fact. Only
jaundiced and suspicious mind can find
In such suggestion any ofense.
The claim of the valley is that the Com
mission should give each side full oppor-
tunity to examine opposing witnesses, and
point out erroneous positions assumed, and
expose deceptive testimony. Obviously
that cannot be done where the proofs are
to be Of the character indicated in the fol-
lowing letter issued by the Engineers
5S3 KEARNY STREET
SAN FRANCISCO, November q, 1885
SIR : The Commission authorized by Act of
Congress, approved october 8, 1888, and directed
co investigate the mining debris question in the
state OF California in relation to its influence
upon navigable rivers, the farming, mining and
other interests of the state, having entered upon
the duties required of it under this law, would
be pleased to receive your views, or those of the
organization you represent, upon the questions
involved, and such other information, in the
shape OF maps, papers, statistics, ETC., bearing
III on your interests in these questions, as you
may desire to submit
For youf better understanding of the object of
the Commission, and the scope OF the investiga-
ton that 1t is expected to make, copy of the
law above referred to is herewith inciosed II
is desirable that communications and iniorma
ton on these questions be mailed SO as to reach
me as soon as practicable within the next sixty
days. respectfully, W. II. BENYAURD.
Major Corps of Engineers, U. S. Army,
President of the Commission.
We submit that it is thus placed within
the power of any one to put before the
Commission the widest and most errone-
GUS of statements. Thus. if the corre-
spondent of the Commercial Herald repre-
sents the hydraulic miners, and sends the
Commission document at all comparable
with the monstrous claims and incorrect
assertions of his letter, the Engineers will
have before them mass of the most mis-
leading statements and absurd assertions
imaginable, and unless disclosure is made
of the fact, the friends of the valley will
be unable to reply to them intelligentIy.
1t certainly appears to be the intent of
the law to have an investigation conducted
upon the basis of testimony fortified by the
solemnity of the oath, and not upon state
ments that any person may see fit to write
out and file with the Commission. Such
method as the latter will simply confuse
the.inquirers with conflicting and irresponsi-
bic statements, and they will in vain search
foI the truth. If, however, these solicited
communications are to be but predatory to
a thorough investigation upon the basis of
sworn testimony, our criticism does not
apply. In that case, however, would it not
be better that able representatives of each
side should state their cases clearly, point
by point in writing, in the nature of con-
else pleadings similar to those upon which
issues are joined before tribunals of inquiry
into the merits of 4 case involving radical
disagreement as to what are facts? In
short, orderly proceeding, with some con-
formance to the usages of Courts, but with
out legal technicalities, will best serve the
purpose of the law creating the Commits
sion, and be the best method of arriving at
the truth.
We cannot understand why the Com
mission should sit in San Francisco. All
the witnesses are in the valley and the
mountains. Here is the scene of the dam.
age done; in the mountains are the instru-
ments by which it was accomplished.
Here, then, We repeat, both in valley and
mountain, the Commission should sit and
hear witnesses that may be brought before
it by both sides essential to the purposes of
Its creation. They should see and them
selves examine the men who testify, and
judge Of their capacity and their intelli-
gence upon the subject, and their means of
knowledge and submit them to the cross
examination of their opponents also. We
cannot understand how the valley or the
mountain interests are TO be properly pre