Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1892-03-31
HYDRAULIC MINING


WASHINGTON, March 80 The bill in.
troduced in the Senate by MIR FELTON, 10
create the California Debris Commission
srd to requisite hydraulic mining lie the re-
suit of the msDy meetings held in Cnlifor-
MIA with view 10 hsrmonize the interests
Of the sg,icultufist and miner and arrive
at an understanding by which h, drsuiic
mining could be resumed under such con
ditions that the agricultural Interests should
rot suff4r. Hydraulic miniog vas by ia
dicial De cision suppressed In 1881 and Mr.,
John 3. Hobson In his sta ement pre.snied
to the Senate Committee on Commerce
said :" rhe recent suppression of hydraulic
gold mining by judicial decisions has re
duced the annusl gold producI OF CalifoI-
mia by at least $40 100000, has thrown
thousands Of men out OF profitable employ
ment, and bss Withdrawn enormous sumo Of
| money from circulation 10 various channels
OF trade,
The bill, which was read twice and re
ferred to the committee on commerce, Gale
for the appointment Of permanent CON
mission 10 he known ss the California D.
bris Commission, under the supervision u
the chief of er gineers and direction OF tue
secretary Of var. and defines the suthori y
and powers OF the comm slon
The enormous masses of tsilings or de
bris dumped in ih9 Canons from old by
drsulic workings, aud which, ia the winter
| freshet, of every succeeding year, are
grsduslly working down into the nsvigable
CT a inels Of the greater rivers of which
t1ese cauons are tributaries, threatened the
usefulness of such important waterways as
the channels of the Sacramento and Ban
Josquin river systems. 1t became Deces-
| rsrS On the part Of the government to taxa
| some action toward their protection, and q
commission vas appointed to investigate
he matter. The commission reported in
February, 1891, in favor Of impounding
dams, and other means by which not only
| should the rivers be protected from
| further damage, hut hydraulic mining
| oonld be resumed without dsm,ne 10 the
farming interest.
The Commission called for by the bill
| will have e1tfsordiusry authority and cj'
irsl over future hydraulic operations. Ii
| is to be composed of three oiliIers of the
| corps Of engineers of the United States
army detailed by the secretary Of war, aud
will have its headquarters in San Francisco
| In the event Of the passage Of the bill in
| its pr sent form, owners Of mining ground
desiring TO begin hydraulic mining will be
| required to present TO the commissioners a
! petition, verified upon oath, giving par
uculsr description Of the ground
Intended to be worked, and q de
| tailed account of the methods and
| ex .ent of the proposed works, and the ste ps
proposed Tor restraint q debris by imp0u9d-
| ing dams or otherwise. The eommi.siou
hen appoints day for the hearing of ot-
9ctions to the proposed mining operations
and sits TO take testimony. The deLi iou
of the commission is final, but in case OF
good cause shown by the defeated party =
re 1esring is granted. Decision beiug Civ, n
! ia favor Of the petitioners, the commissio,
era are practically authorized to dictate
| the manner In which all work is to be
doEe, locate Restraining or impoupding z
works, indicate material and manner OF
| construction, and 90 forth. When ali such
works have been completed and approved
| by the commission, permission lie given 10
the owner 10 begin mining operations.
| Some such legislation is necessary for tas
| protection Of the nsvigsble rivers, bu. il
gives the members of the commission enor-
| nous power in the direction Of works in
which such great expenditure is necessary
be fore there is any return Of prGds.
| Notwithstanding leeisls,ion to lhe cot.
trsry, considerable hydraulic mining ha,
been done IN California since 1881. Break.
ing the Law meant imprisonment for the
superintendent or man iu charge Of mine
and all that was necessary when the autho'
lite. arrived to make AZ arrest vas to pre-
sent Chinsmsn as the responsible person
John was taken to the lookup, but as hii
wages were paid, and be had no work TO 90
there was never any difficulty in finding .
| candidate for Jail when necessary.