The record-union., 1892-06-14
THE RECENT VALLEY CONVEN-
TION.


TION.
The recent convocation of valley repre-
resentatives in this city to formulate ex-
preston upon the hydraulic measure
practically declared that it was not actu-
ated by hostility to hydraulicking alb
stractly, but by a fear that experiments
in restraining debris will fail or be con-
strued into such licensing of mining as
will do injury to the streams.
We have not understood the valley, in
all the recent efforts to bring about unity
of action, to waive any legal right or to
relax any objection whatever to deposi-
ton of mining debris in the rivers. Nor,
on the other hand, have we understood
the miners to ask for any consent to so
mine as to work injury to others or to
impair the navigability of the rivers.
But what was understood to be agreed
to by both sides to the late consultations
and conventions was that if Government
engineers under direction of the Federal
Department charged with the preserva-
ton and repair of the rivers, determined
that restraining works could be erected
that would accomplish the end desired,
permit the resumption of the suspended
industry without injury to others, then
the experiment should be made. We
have understood, also, all along, that the
bill introduced to these ends was, framed
upon that line, and that if it was open to
any doubt it should be amended to re-
move it.
Certainly it is true that there must be
something experimental in any effort to
accomplish the desired result. If the at
tempt contemplated by the bill referred
to cannot be carried out, and the engi-
neering arm Of the Government is una
bic to accomplish the end aimed at, the
attempt to resume hydraulic mining
must be abandoned. This is as we have
understood the whole theory of the prop
osition now before Congress.
Since there has been no consent that
any valley right under the law shall be
abandoned, nor any resumption of work
that win trespass upon valley rights, or
do injury to the free highways of the
people, we entertain the hope and the
belief that the fears manifest in the recent
convention will be allayed, and the legis-
lation to be had will be so guarded that
both sides TO the present controversy will
be satisfied, and the scheme of seeking a
solution of the hydraulic mining ques-
ton be proceeded with.
1t is to be regretted that the convention
did not point out the specific features in
the House bill that were charged and con-
strued to be dangerous, and labor for
their correction. By so doing their elm
ination could have been more speedily
secured. The mining representatives
have not, as we read their record, de-
clined to have their bill so formulated as
to meet the desires of the river people.
Let the hope be entertained, therefore,
that cooler counsels will prevail, and the
common effort be renewed for the two
interests to work harmoniously for the
accomplishment of the ends of each.
While in common with all well wishers
of California the RECORD UNION desires
the mountain industries to be revived, it
stands for the valleys rights; it is the
earnest advocate of the scheme to save
the rivers from any further injury, and
Of all efforts to restore to them their orig
inal virtue, so far as may be done; it was
the first paper in the State to point out
and insist that the way to the amicable
solution Of the mining debris question
lay through the duty of the Federal Gov
ernment to protect the navigability of the
streams, and that policy was finally
adopted and the Government has been
committed to it. The RECoRD-U UNION is,
therefore, in a position to say, as it has re-
peatedly, that if there is any means
under the heavens whereby the mining
industry may be rehabilitated it ought to
be tried, if consistent with the, perfect
safety of the rivers and river lands from
further deposition of mining debris. We
repeat that statement again, and conceive
it to be the only sound and just position
to take. The convention of agriculturists
have, in our opinion, entertained undue
fear, and we look forward to it's dissipa-
ton and the restoration of the unity of
effort so recently brought about.