The morning call., 1894-11-20

perity. After eulogizing The agricultural
interests he declared that mining had a
nre-em pti0n claim on the State, and twas
the mines which first brought the people
TO California.
He expressed his thanks to Sierra County
for hon0rlng him with seat in the con-
vention.
Judge Hilborn made short address.
He declared that any measure which
could be devised which would increase the
gold supply would be the greatest boon to
the country, since the gold yard-Stick
which measured the debts of the world
was being constantly heightened. Any
measure which would arrest the apprecia-
ton III the purchasing power of Id
would prove of iDcalculable benefit to the
world.
Letters of regret at inability to attend
were read from Congressman w. w.
Bowers. Governor j. E. Richards OF Mon
tana, Senator Stephen NJ. White and
Gavernor-elect James FL. Budd.
The name Of Judge Evans was added to
the delegation from Ell Dorado County.
Lieutenant Hasson read paper on the
transmission of electric power aud the
operation of mines by that force. There
we're three classes of electric plants for
mines. The first was where the distance
was not greater than three miles; the
second class was where power was trans
mitted for long distances for restricted
uSCo Aho ClllLu CLASS WAS WHtEb power was
transmitted for long distances for multi
form uses.
The selection of proper machinery and
its installation were dwelt upon at some
length.
The plant at Bodie for the oug-distance
transmission of power only was referred
to and the figures in detail OF the cost and
main tenanee given.
j. NJ. Wright presented some facts on
the relation of the law ID drift-mning. He
exhi biled chart of the Forest Hill divide.
showing the volcanic Gaping ana the bed
rock, with little flags showing the surface
claims and the gravel bed beneath where
the value of the mines lay. After reclting
certain facts IN connection with rulings Of
the land office, the speaker declared that
there should be some law which would
protect he drftminer. There ought TO be
statute passed that when the ground
was composed OF nothing but volcanic
rock. the miner should be entitled To
hold his ground until he could explore it.
said the speaker.
| The speaker declared that the courts
everywhere determined against the miner
and in favor OF the agTiculturist. The
courts had held to the common law. which
, did not go far enough. was not flexible
enough. The law OF prior appropriation,
he said, should prevail instead of riparian
rights.
The speaker also favored a statute in
favor OIL eXtra-laleral rights. He thought
questions touching the point should be sc l.
tied at once and par,icularized In the
statute. so that when a man located his
lode he should know what he had He
| illustrated his argument By reference 10
the Amy case. He thought the law as
laid down by the Montana courts did JUS
tice to the miners, bnt that however cor
rect in law the final opinion given by. the
United States Supreme Court on this ease
might be, which was against the extra
lateral right, il did not give the miner what
was desired.
Senator 7. j.. Ford talked at some length
upon egslation affecting mines and min
ers. The old rules which governed the
pioneers in mining matters had been found
10 be the best which had ever obtained
Those old customs had formed the basis of
the laws of the State.
The time came when The surface mines
were worked out. Hydraulic mining fol-
lowed Then the struggle with the pro pie
of the valley began. The speaker dweit
at some length upon the history Of this
period, with the resultant laws.
The speaker paid a tribute 10 Governor
Markham, who had said to the Legisla-
turs that hydraulic mining could be re-
sumed under conditions which would cease
to make it a menace to the valleys.
The history of recent legislative action
was gwen. He favored securing con-
gressional assistance, which, with the
| fund provided by the State. would be am
| PIE 10 provide dams which would restrain
all the debris Of the hydraulic mining