The morning call., 1892-11-17
AFTER PAY GRAVEL.
A Memorial TO Congress That May Do
Much Good.


Chairman Neff next announced the report
Of the committee on resolutions in order.
J. VI. Fulweiler of Placer moved that the
portion of the report dealing with the
Caminetti bill be taken up last
The motion was adopted, but the conven-
tion decided to hear first partial report in
the shape of a memorial to Congress, which
read as follows:
To the Honorable the Senate aud the House of
HepTeSenfdtites az Congress assembled Your
memorillsts The Miners Association Of the
STATE OF California, 10 convention assembled in
tae cry OF Sau francisco for the purpose OF con-
sideTlng questions relating TO the mining inter-
ests, respectfully represent:
That there are IN the State Of California
numerous voicaRie-cspped moualaIn ridges
which contain underneath the volcanic Gaping
ancient river channels with bottom layer OF
gold bearing gravel, which is sought by the
miner and worked by The sO-called drift-mining
process, said process Involving an expensive
system OF tunnellng or deep-shaft sinking through
Darlen material before The pay lead may be at
lacked.
The driftmner must locate his claim upon the
suifaee OF he barren volcanic Gaping and In
order 10 justify the extraordinary expense OF The
dead Work" In opening the claim there must be
included 10 one enterprise considerable length
Oh the pay ledd, requiring number OF locations
10 cover IL
Experience shows that the drift miner finds it
practically Impossible 10 secure title TO such a
group OF claims until tie mine is almost worked
out. owing 10 tie recent rulings OF The Commits
sioner OF tie Land Office and the Secretary OF
The Interior TO Tie effect that ''the presumption
that the gold-beaTing channel extends under said
mis-, or hat it contains gold Ia appreciabe
quantiles VIII not answer, and the niner must
STOW the actual existence of the gold"
In other words, the existence of the gold must
De shown by actual development in each one OF
The locations separately before the Land Once
VIII admit It's mineral character and proceed 10
issue patent therefor
The drift miDef is thus cebarred from obtain
Ing patent until his mine is nearly worked OUT
having no guarantee for title I'm the meantime.
Congress IS hereby resp cifuiy requested 10 so
all lie mining laws, al least ia go far as they
enect dFitt mining. that the drift miner may be
abe 10 obtain title eXpedltiously.
Let he practice OF the Land ONCE be so altered
That patent may issue 10 group OF consolidated
ana contiguous claims upon mineral land pro-
vlded an actual discovery Is made upon any one
OF hehh, since The present conditions are such as
10 oeter labor and capital from opening develop
hg or working this important field OF tie gold
Naturally Capital requires showing of title.
Ohoef present rulings title cannot be shown
bnlil tbe mine IS practically worked out and
consequently enterprise IS stopped
1t is respectfully suggested mar 10 meet ,b,s
difneuIty Congress might take the necessary
steps 10 determine definitely what shall he re-
Eafded as mineral anu what as non.miueTaI
land.
The convention unanimously resolved to
indOrse the memorial, and ordered ii for
warded 20 Washington TO be presented to
Congress by the California representatives.