The morning call., 1893-11-08
WITHOUT POWER.
United States Engineers
in a Quandary.
MINERS ARE DISAPPOINTED.
The Debris Commission Was
Not Confirmed.
WAITING CLEVELAND'S ACTION.
Because the Senate Was ForgetfuI
Serious Obstruction Meets the
Caminetti Mining Bill.
WAITING CLEVELAND's ACTION.

A pro forma session of the United States
Debris Commission was held yesterday al
room 90. Food building the present head
quarters OF the engineers intrusted with
passing upon hydraulic mining matters in
naYigable streams of California.
Colonel Mepdel presided. and Lieuten-
ant-Colonel Benyaurd, Major W. II.
Reuer, Lieutenant Gillette of the Federal
Commission were present. State Commits
sioner Kidder. Governor Markham's ap-
pointee, came down from Grass Val
ley and watched the proceedings
closely. Several engineers and mining
men interested in gravel claims in the
Sierras and elsewhere paid close attention
10 every act of the commission, and W. c.
RalstoD, secretary OF the State Miners
Association, was there in the interests OF
his society.
After all, the meeting, which promised
10 be an i'm pOrtant epoch in mining history
in California, was merely formRlity. Il
was held in accordance with an advertise
ment which appeared in the papers for
nearly month. announcing that certain
gravel mines would be examined for the
purpose of considering petitions TO work
w
officially, the commission and miners inter-
ested never once entertained a suspicion
that subsequent events at Washington
would interfere with the new law on hy-
draulic miniGg on navigable rivers in this
State.
That the Caminetti bill might be carried
into execution a commission was appointed
by the Secretary of War. The memb ers
are engineers in the Government service,
and it is their special duty as Debris Com
missoners TO see that this law is properly
observed. For some reason, as yet uneX-
planned. the Senate failed to confirm the
commission, which is still without legal
existence on that account.
At the meeting yesterday petitions ask
ing that six extensive hydraulic mines be
granted permits TO resume operations
under the Caminetti bill regulations were
considered. Specifications of debris-i a.
pounding dams were examined with maps
and reports OF engineers. The miners
who sat around expected that decisions
either for or against the petitioners would
be given at once but they were doomed
to disappointment. ''No objections are
offered" remarked Colonel Mendell when
the examination concluded.
LAS understand from the papers," he
continued, That the commission was not
confirmed by the Senate, there is nothing
left TO be done but to reapp0int the CON-
mission, or it will have no legal existence.
And as the commission is not yet con-
firmed it is best that these petitions be
left over for future consideration and
action. Before taking actor. we will want
to learn officially that this commission is
confirmed by the President"
How soon do you think that will be ?"
w. c. RalstOn asked.
Il cannot guess, even" replied the
chairman. president Cleveland may
have ideas of lis own on this question"
Ralston said ne hoped no time would be
lost in haI ing the Presidents confirmation,
a. this IS the dry season and the miners
are GesirOus of beginning operations at
opce to prepare for next seasons washing.
well, as q matter of fact. this commits
sion was not confirmed" was Colonel Men
delPs reply. 1.-The Senate was IN hurry
to get home and forgot il. Now the mat
ter will be brought before President Cleve-
land"
10 have you make some move in my case"
said a miner in voice betraying some
anxiety.
well. you'll have to move the President
now; that's all the moving that can be
DONE"
With this discussion came to an end and
the miners formed themselves in 10 groups
To interchange opinions on the unexpected
turn of affairs. As the result of delbera-
tions, informal as they were, w. G. Ralston
was advised to telegraph the Secretary of
War, informing him CT the necessity for
immediate confirmation. as a years work
in the mines depends upon IT,
Another telegram was sent to President
Cleveland, and still others to Governor
Markham, Congressman Caminetti and
Senator White, asking for their influence
at Washington.
The mines examined are the Eureka,
Crayscroft and Excelsior, near Downie-
vile; Spanish Flat. Pinmas County, and
the Phenix and New York mines, near
Sierra City, which yield a total of over
100000 year.