The record-union. [volume] (Sacramento, Calif.) 1891-1903, 1892-01-22
Special to the REcoRp-ux1ou.

SAN FRANCISCO, Jan. 1.-THE State
Mining Convention assem- bled at Metro
politan Hall this morning, and began the
business of the session.
When the convention was called to
order about 1890 there were fully 1,500
persons present. 1t was body of citi-
zens of a character that are seldom seen
together in public assemblage. All were
substantial, intelligent appearing men.
The greater number were of middle age
and many past three score. Young men
were outnumbered, but they were notice
ably active in their several delegations.
AT the Chairs suggestion delegates from
the various counties were seated to-
gether.
Immediately on being called to order,
the Credential Committee presented the
convention with its report, which was
adopted. Proxies, on motion, were ad-
mitted to full membership.
On motion, the Board of Supervisors of
Placer County were admitted as mem
bers of the convention.
The Committee on Permanent Organ
ization reported, making temporary Off
GERS permanent, and naming the follow
ing Vice-Presidents:
j. NJ. Walling of Nevada, William d.
English of Alameda, August c. Busch of
Sierra, A. j. RalSton of San Francisco,
Robert Watt Of San Francisco, George w.
McNear of San Francisco, Colonel Frank
Mclaughlin of Butte, Edward Coleman
of Nevada, Ex-Governor II. G.. Blaisdell
of Alameda, Daniel I. Cole of Sierra, ex-
Senator James q. Fair OF San Francisco,
E. j. Baldwin ofSan Francisco, Campbell
p. Berry of Suffer, Mayor w. d. Com
stock OF Sacramento, X. d. Stephens of
Sacramento, j. K. Luttrell of Sonoma,
Thomas Brown of San Francisco, Thorn
as j. Clunie of San Francisco, ID. B. Muir
ply of Santa Clara, Charles +. Reed of
Placer, James Nelson of Yuba, e. G. Voor-
HES of Amador, Alfred Tregidgo of Ne
vada, George ii. Wheaton OF San Fran
cisco, NJ. p. Jones of San Francisco, E. t.
Allen of San Francisco, l.. q. Cole of Ala
media, James l.. Flood of San francisco,
Albert Gallatin of San Francisco, Thomas
Fraser Of Ell Dorado, Colonel Mark l..
Mcdonald of Sonoma.
The report further called for the forma-
ton of permanent State Miners Asso-
citation.
The report was adopted.
Mr.. Netf, in accepting the Permanent
Craftsmanship, said it was "the greatest
honor of his life" The Vice-Presidents
named took seats on the platform.
The Russian engineers, Roman f. Lee
vitzlly and Nicolai Bogdanoff, were in
ylted to seats on the platform.
RESOLUTIONS.
The report of the Committee on Reso-
lutions was as follows:
WHEREAS, The experience of the world has
demonstrated that gold and silver constitute
the only safe, convenient and reliable basis of
credit; and whereas, the output of gold is
largely below the needs of mankind; and
whereas, there are in the gravel beds of Cali
1ornia vast quantities OF gold, estimated at
$685., 100000, which can only be utilized by
being mined by the hydraulic process; and
whereas, hydraulic mining, as heretofore pros
ecuted, has contributed TO the injury to the
navigable streams of the central portion OF
California, and TO a small portion OF the agri-
cultural lands OF the valleys, and has, in con-
sequence, been interdicted by State and
Federal courts: and whereas, a board of emf
nent engineers appointed by the Government
of the United States has, after an exhaustive
examination reported that by the erection
OF proper dams, barriers and catchment
basins, hydraulic mining may be resumed
the debris therefrom impounded and no ma
terlal injury done to the navigable streams of
the State; and whereas, under the conpre-
hensive terms of the restraining orders here
tofore issued by the courts, hydraulic miners
are prohibited from dischargiug tailings from
their claims into the ravineS, canyons and
streams tributary to the main rivers, even il
so lmpOunded; and whereas, said injunctiOnS
are not against hydraulic mining in name
but against dumping debris into the streams
ravines, and so forth, where the same will
flow into navigable streams, it would there
fore include all classes of mines, should any
action be considered necessary TO prevent the
detritus from said mines entering the streams
of California. Mining in California is hydrau-
lie, being the same principles of mining by
water, separating the gold from the matter in
which it is imbedded; and whereas. the busl-
ness interests of the whole State of California
and the monetary interests of the United
States demand that vigorous measures be
adopted on the part of the Government of the
United States and the State of California to
enable the gold mines of California to be
worked to their utmost capacity without in
jury TO other industries; and whereas the to-
tai az Va n oi11jn tai
heavy loss on those who have capital invested
therein such investments amounting TO
S100,000,000l, and the loss to the State and
nation of an immense quantity OF gold which
cannot be prohtably mined by any other
known method; and whereas the navigability
of the rivers of the State is of vital Importance
to every one having interests in the State
whether miner, farmer or merchant;
Resolved, That in the opinion of this Com
mittee, and under the report of said Board of
Government Engineers, the most practical
method of accomplishing said purpose of re-
Viving hydraulic mining and protecting said
navigable streams from further injury is for
the United States Government to construct
or cause 10 be constructed restraining bar
riers in the canyons of the Sierra Nevada
Mountains OF sufficient strength and capacity
to permanently and successfully impound the
debris from said mines.
ResotUed, That said dams, when so con-
structed, will prove beneficial to the naviga-
bic streams of the State, not only by restrain
ing the debris from the mines, but will also
restrain the material coming from the natural
those streams.
ResolUed, That in view of the fact that the
Government of the United States sold to the
miner his claim and received cash therefor
for the express purpose and with the full
knowledge that IL was TO be mined by the
hydraulic process, and in view of the fact that
the credit and very existence of our Govern
ment have been heretofore saved by the out
put of the GOLD mines of California; and in
view of the further fact that in every financial
crisis which may hereafter arise relief must
be looked for from the same source; in view of
the further fact that the benefit of the gold
product of said mines of California annually
10 the country at large has been and will con-
1inue to be of inestimabe value-therefore we
deem it but just that the expense of construct
ing such restraining dams should be met by
the General Government
ReS0lCed That we recommend the passage
of such laws by the State and Nation as shall
rehabilitate the industry OF hydraulic mining,
with such permanent restraining dams as
may be certified by the United States Gov
eminent Engineers, appointed for that pur-
pose by the Government of the United States,
as safe and sufficient in strength and con-
struetion TO properly restrain the debris from
such mines and prevent injury to navigabIe
waters OF the State.
ReSolUed That this convention approves
and Endorses the recommendation for the i'm
provement of the Sacramento and the San
Joaquin Rivers, as contained in the report of
the United States Board of Engineers on min
ing debris in California, dated February g.
1891. We also recommend the appropra-
ton of the sums recommended by the Gov
eminent Engineers for the Improvement of
said rivers and Petaiuma Creek.
Resolved. That it is the sense of this conven-
ton that the general public prosperity de-
mands speedy and aInicable settlement of
the hydraulic mining question, a settlement
whereby the rights and interests of the miner
and farmer shall each be protected. and where
by millions OF new money may be annually
thrown into circulation among the people;
and all citizens having at heart the interests
OF the State are requested to further by all
means IN their power such settlement, and
the re-eStaDliShment of the interest of hy-