The record-union., 1891-09-28

On the way home the party stopped in
again at the Morning Star mine. and
upon the invitation of Superintendent
Oscar Jones, boarded dump-car and
went into the,main tunnel of the mine.
rms tunnel runs east ) 800 feet into a hill.
AT different points drifts branch off in
various directions, and the place is being
thoroughly honey-combed. The mine is
rich one, the ore from it paying So per
ton: The ore is run through a ten-stamp
mill and then sluiced. The mine is
owned by the Colemans of Grass Valley.
The trip through it was a most enjoyable
one, and to several was an lnitiatory eX-
perience.
A CONFERENCE.
After supper Saturday night the Su-
pervisors, Attorney Devlin and the
several mine owners who have been en-
joined held conference in the Justices
office. Mr.. Devlin acted as spokesman
for the Sacramento Supervisors. He
said that while the members of the COM
mittee would probably not care to say
just how they intended to report on the
matter, yet they were willing to listen to
any propositions the miners would have
to make. He suggested that in order to
facilitate matters they take up the vari-
Gus mines, seriatim, and the owners
could tell the committee just what was
wanted.
This course was satisfactory to all, and
the Washington mine was taken up.
Messrs. Sprague and Morton were pres
ent to represent that property. Mr..
Sprague, in addressing the committee,
said that all he wanted was ninety days
water to finish up the mine, and after
that he would be ready to quit.
We'll, Mr.. Sprague," said Attorney
Devlin, IF you are allowed ninety days
water, viii you then consent to an abso-
lutte injunction when that time expires ?''
YES" replied Mr.. Sprague
Mr.. Morton said he would also consent.
THOUGHT IT TOO INDEFINITE.
Mr.. Deylin scratched his head and began
to think about the scarcity ofwater in those
mines. He said that ninety days of water
might mean several years Of mining and
he thought that would be too indefinite.
What the valley people wanted was to
have some definite knowledge as to when
hydraulic mining was to cease absolutely.
There was no desire on their part to hurt
anybody nor to be unnecessarily Vigilant,
but they intended to protect themselves.
lie then asked Mr.. Sprague if he would
agree TO stop hydraulickIng on the Ist of
June, 1892, provided the injunction against
him was raised until that time.
Mr.. Sprague said he could not make
any such promise. If he was sure he
could get ninety days water before that
time he would promise.
SIR. Rossi OF the Homeward Bound
mine said thirty days water would do
him, but he did not want to agree to close
down for good until he had used that
amount OF water.
Mr.. Devliu objected again because he
thought this arrangement would be too
indefinite.
Supervisor Bates, however, did not
agree exactly with the attorney. He said
that nobody but the Almighty knew how
much water would be available this
winter, and he did not think it fair to
ask man TO take chances of that kind.
j. e. Brown thought the whole matter
very easy of solution. There need be no
limit to the time for cleaning up. There
was just so much work to be done in
each mine and he did not see what differ
ence it could make whether it was ac-
complished in one year or three.
FAVORABLE TO THE MINERS.
There was quite a discussion on the
point, and, while no positive conclusion
was reached, the general understanding
seemed to be that that the miners propo-
sitions were fair ones
Mr.. Gleeson said he would want I2O
days water on his claim, and the Orient
mine would want about the same
amount. The DeKruse mine needed 100
days water
Mr.. Gleeson explained that he and his
father owned the bitches that supplied
were doubly interested. They had no
| reservoirs to store the water in and had to
depend upon the winter storms for their
water. As rule, only three months in
the year furnished sufficient supply.
They supplied seven claims. One ditch
carried 800 feet and the other 400 max
200 in all. This was light, when it was
taken into consideration that one nozzle
alone in the North Bloomfield mine
Grass Valley carried 800 feet. He as
sured the Supervisors that the Iowa Hill
miners were honest in their intentions
and would not take advantage of any
leniency shown them.
There was a general exchange of obli-
cations for courtesies and hospitalities
shown during the visit, after which the
meeting adjourned.
The committee left Iowa Hill early
yesterday morning for home, arriving
here safely in the afternoon.
While no promises were made to the
miners, the committeeman undoubtedly
left the impression there that they would
report favorably to the board ON the peti-
ton.