The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1892-03-28
HYDRfELIC MINING IN CALIFORNIA;.
PossibIlitic. OF II. Kcsumption-A Biil In
the Senate.

the Senate.
WASHINGTON. March 27.-rhc bill introduced
in tho Senate by Mr.. FELTON, to create tho Cali
fornia Debris Commission and TO regulate
hydraulic mining. is the result Of the many
meetings held in California with n view tn
harmOnze the interests Of tho agrculturist
and miner and arrive ut an understanding 10y
which hydraulic mining could DO resumed
under such conditions that tho agricultural
interest should not suffer Hydraulic mining
was by judicial decision suppressed in 1881.
and Mr.. John b. Hohson in his statement. pre-
sentcd to the Senate Committee on Commerce.
said: "Thc recent suppression OF hydraulic
gold mining by judicial decisions has reduced
tho annual gold product Of California by at
least SlO.O0OUUO. has thrown thousands of
mon out Of profitable employment, and has
withdrawn enormous sums OF money from
circulation in various channels of trade"
The bill. which was read twice and referred
to the Committee on Commerce. calls for the
appointment Of a Tournament commission to be
known us tho California Debris Commission
under tho supervision OF tho chief OF en-
gin.ers and direction Of tho Secretary Of War.
and defines tho authority and powers Of the
Commission.
IN. ENORMOUS masses Of failing, or debris RI
workings, and which. in tho winter freshets
Of every succeeding year. AFRO gradunl ly work
ing down into the nuvigablo channels OF the
greater rivers of WHICH these canons are trib-
utaries. threatened the use ulness Of such i'm
portant WATERWAYS as tho channels of the Sac
ramento and San Joaquin river systems 1t
became necessary on the part ct tho Govern
mont to take some action toward their protec
ton: and Commissl9n, was appointed to in
ed in February. 1891. in favor Of imrouniing
dams and other means by which not only
damage u .H but hydraulic mining Gould be re-
sumcd without damage to tho farming inter-
Tho Commission called for by the bill will
have extraordinary authority and control over
future hydraulic operations; 1t Is to be com
i,eers s Of IF the tnitd States army detailed ty
tho Secretary OF War, and wi hive its head
quarters in San Francisco. In the event OF the
OF mining ground desiring to begin hydraulic
mining will be required TO present to the Com
giving particular description Of tho ground
s'sar'a w9 'hs an" ND
ing dams or otherwise, The Commission then
appoints u day for tho hearing Of objections to
take testimony. Tho decision Of tho Commits
Decision being given in favor OF the pet iioners
the, Commissioners are practically authorized
be done. locate restrai ming or impoundinE
works: indicate material Mnd M manner az or con,
Commission. permission is given to the owner
to begin muIinG operations. Some such leRiS-
lation IS necessary for the protection OF the
navigabla rivers. but it gives the members of
tho Commission enormous power in the direc-
ton of works in which such great expenditure
is necessary before there is any return Of
profit.
Notwithstanding legislation to the contrary.
considerable hydraulic mining has been done
meant IMPRISONMENT for the superintendent
or man in charge Of mine. and all that was
mnkoan arrest was to present Chinnmnn rs
tho Responsible person. John was taken to
the luc kup. but as his wages were paid. and hs
had no work to do there was mover any diff
fculty in finding Il candidate for Jail when
necessary,