Arizona weekly citizen., 1891-02-07
1-ss - '=s CLIFTON. A NeWsy Budget of Cores
 pOndence. THE PROSPECTORS ARE Not in Favor of the New Mining
 Law. Clifton Gamblers are Indifferent as to the New Law Regulating
 Their Games.

CLIFTON, Jan. 31.- Correspondence cf
 the CITIZEN. -The mining laws as they
 stand on the United States Statutes
 pertaining to the location of mineral
 lands if tracked out are as near perfect
 all things considered, as can be gotten
 up. The law is intended primarily to de-
 velop the mineral resources of the United
 States, and its liberal terms stimulates
 the prospector, who, as rule is poor man, to make discoveries. Seldom if ever does a man of means take to the hill and traverse mountains that are away from the habitation of man in search of natures hidden wealth. It is men of limited means with a, more or less, knowledge of geology, boundless hope, unfalterlng will and brave heart that has ever encountered the dangers and hardships of 8 prospector. The framers of the laws of 1872 understood this, and wisely gave them (the pros pectors) the power to make laws for
  first requirements, that of fling loca ton notice for record within sixty days from date of location. The loca- tor is required to do 5100 worth of work a year. Tbat is all that is required of him by the United States Statutes. How he shall do the work Is left to the GUS toms and usages as made and established in each mining district by the mineral discoveries themselves. In some dis tricts it is the custom to do a certain number of days work on a clam; in others it Is the custom to do a certain number of feet in an open cut driving a tunnel or sinking a shaft. Some dis tIicts allow five dollars, others four dollars per day. Some districts value a foot of work at ten dollars; others more or less. It Is also settled by a rul ing of the interior department, that as sessment work can be done by building roads or trails On and to the claim. AL this is simple and easily understood and under this law the mineral resources of Arizona has and is being developed. And why 1t should be changed or substituted by one more stringent is aqiuestion that is not understood as insuring to the benefit of those who will have the burden to bear. The writer has interviewed quite a num- Der of prospectors here en the subject touching the bill that Hon. D. Cough has introduced in the Aassembly making It obligatory on the locator to do S100 worth of work before Sling for record. They don't like 1t. They claim such a law would be in conflict with the present United States mining laws, and would lead to confusion, trouble and litegation One party illustrates his views as follows: He said: suppose 1 go out on prospect ing trip to be gone a month, earring grub along only sufficient to last me that time, and when 1 am almost out of grub l make location, say make the location at Grey's Peak B miles from here. 1 can't stop to do the S100 assessment, my grub IS almost out, 1 must go to Clifton to get supplies and while 1 am gone some other felleW comes along and sees where I have been prospecting; he camps on the ground and proceeds to do the S10O assessment as the original discovery. How am to get off? Have 1 any evidence that I was the original discoverer to show? none at all. The only way to get him off is at the point of Winchester. On the other hand when 1 came in for grub having located the ground, send my location notice to the recorder and have it recorded, and If the interloper is on the ground when l come back l have the document to show that it is mine. No, Cough is sure off on that mining bill. one speaks up and said: 'It looks as though all legislation now days is only intended to benefit big mining of l,1c tor Stewart had passed in the senate the other day does prospector derive any benefit from it?" As he put the ques- tion he was looking at the writer, who responded-damifino." Continuing, he said, "the United States mining laws are good enough for prospectors." Your correspondent noting that Col. M. J. Egan was close by proceeded to obtain his views. He briefly said: Such as would conflict with the United States laws concerning the loca- ton of mineral lands and I will sign a protest against its passage"
 The proposed change ID the gambling aw has reached here. Several saloon keep srs were seen, and they do neem to care it passes or not.
 The sanitary commission act as passed oy the upper house created consterna- jon amongst cattle men. They tele yraphed long remonstance to Hon. P. NJ. Thurnond.
 The move to abolish the office of Attor- is not looked upon with favor. It is considered ga penny wise and pound 'ollish" move so; far as economy is concerned. The superintendent of pub ic instruction could be disposed of and .n educatsonal board created by appoint ng the Governor, Treasurer and Attor- ley General such. The educational in- 5erests of the territory should have a head, a responsible one too. The duties ,ould be easily done by those offices without expense to the people. The of immigration expenses could be Topped off. Each county, through its board of supervisors could attend to immigration. The press ot the lerritory would render valuable assist ,nce; in fact is doing so all the time. | Thus spoke the intelligent men in this irrespective of party afhlia- | ions. The phantom of the County of | Sierra Bonita" is stalking abroad in the | egislative halls. The spectre is known | IS the "CounUy of Miles," Like Hamlets ,host it should be doomed to walk for many year yet.
 PUG.