The record-union., 1893-06-20
ANTI-DEBRIO MATTERS.
Monthly Meeting of the Associations
Executive Committee.
The Caminetti Act VIII be Given an
Opportunity to Prove Its Utility
and Efficiency.

The Executive Committee of the State
Anti-Debris Association held its regular
monthly meeting at the Board of Super
visors' rooms yesterday, J. NJ. Morrison,
the Chairman, presiding, and Robert
Cosnor acting as Secretary. The minutes
of the last meeting were read and APP
proved.
The Manager, W. T. Phipps, presented
a full report, showing the work accom-
plished by the association for the last
month. The report showed that the
watchmen had traversed the whole hy-
draulic mining territory, and that by
draulic mining had practically ceased.
One miner who had violated an injunc-
ton against mining by the hydraulic pro-
cess had been fined and his fine paid into
the treasury.
The attitude of the association toward
the Caminetti Act was thoroughly dis
cussed, and remarks on the subject
were made by w. 5. Green of CoIusa,
George Ohleyer Of Suffer, f. X. Dray OF
Sacramento, John {. White of Yuba, X.
7. Devlin of Sacramento, DR.. ID. 7. burst
Of Yuba, J. II. Arnold of Colusa and
others.
Finally, as a substitute for the various
resolutions on the subject, the following
preamble and resolution were adopted as
the stand taken by the association on the
Caminetti Act:
WHEREAS, The State Anti-Debris Associa-
ton Is organized for the purpose OF protecting
the rivers and valleys of the Sacramento Val
ley from the injurious effects OF hydraulic
mining; and whereas, measure mas been
passed by the Congress of the United states,
known as the CummettI bill, providing that
hydraulic miners may apply 10 a commission
| for permission to mine if they can 40 so with
out injury to the interests OF the Sacramento
! Valley, and providing that any hydraulic
| mining contrary to It's provisions is a crime
| against the Jnited States.
/ Ieesoired by the State Anti-Debris ASsoC;a-
! ton, That for the purpose OF placing on rt cord
! its position on this question II be declared:
/. The lands and rivers of the Sacramento
! Valley must be preserved from injury by ny
/ draullc mining frOI1 whatever source sucn III
| jurics may come
,. Tnat this association rests its claims on
/ the decisions of the courts and the Constlu-
| tiOn of the United States declaring that the
| interests of the valley cannot be injured nor
! its property ruined.
g. That the so called Caminetti bill is a
| measure proposed by the miners and has
never been accepted by the State Anti-Debris
Association as q solution Of the dlMcalty.
That the only question III Wnlch TINS vail y
| is interested is freedom from injury, and II
the Caminetti bill accom- lishes this result
the ASSOCIATION asks nothing further, but II
| under this bill the injuries that Lave done u,
! so mucn damage in the past continue, we
shall stand our constitutional rights
| alOrding US full protection 10 our properly
and we snau resort to the courts to secure
| this protection if necessary.
| 1. That we propose in the meantime 10 take
advantage OF all the clauses in our favor
prohibiting hydraulic mining save under tao
| provisions of this bill.
! s. That we DO not believe, from our =
perience in the past, that dams can be erocteC
| which will protect the rivers and the lands o
the valley from injury if hydraulic mining i
resumed. and we reserve the right 10 appea
to the courts if by the operation of the said
bill hydraulic mining should be resumed tC
our injury.
Mr.. Devlin, attorney for the assOcia
ton. and MIR. Phipps, the Manager, ad
dressed the committee on the prescn
status of the hydraulic mining question
and the advantages and disadvantages o
Congressional legislation. The commit
tee determined resolutely to enforce thu
penal provisions of the Caminetti bill
prohibiting hydraulic mining except IL
compliance with the rules and regula
tions of the Federal Commission.
1t also decided to take such steps a
might be necessary to present the inter
ests of the valley before the Commission
and to see that no hydraulic mining wa
permitted that would in any mode affec
injuriously the navigable rivers and ad
jacenl lands of the Sacramento Valley.
The committee then examined and al
lowed its monthly bills, and after settling
many minor matters of detail adjourned
till the next regular meeting.
1t will be seen from the action taken b,
the committee that it does not propos
: TO offer any legal objections to the en-
forcement of the Cauinetti law, on tn
+ ground of its unconstitutlonality, bu
that it will seek to enforce strictly tn
penal clauses, and will await the results {
the operation of the law, reserving fully
| however, the right to resort to the court
if necessity should compel it to do SGT
: prevent any injuries that may flow t
= the valley under the operation of th
t Federal Commission.