The record-union., 1895-04-17
THE HYDRAULIC DEBATE.

It was to have been expected that some
of our mountain contemporaries would
find cause for objection to the statement
of the facts the RECoRD-UNIoN has made
relative to the dangers threatening the
valleys from general resumption of by
drauic mining behind barriers assumed
TO be sufficient for the protection of the
rivers and their tributaries, but which in
fact are not adequate to the task that is to
be imposed upon them. But we did not
expect that the objectors were going to
descend to vituperation and abuse.
1t is no trick at all to denounce our
statements as false and vicious, but mere
allegation viii not establish the charges.
The personal assault upon the RECORD
UNION does not concern US at all. What
wedo ask of these misguided friends of the
State is that they will refute the position
taken by the RECORD UNION, and point
out wherein it is in error. If this is done,
no agency will be so quick, or so happy
in the act, to acknowledge the error
fully and elaborateIy as the RECORD
UNION. But until this is done we insist
that our statements shall stand as undis-
puted, since they are all drawn from Off
cial sources, and the figures given are
taken from the records of the very bodies
established to grant permits to mine in
the manner known as hydraulickiDg.
We have simply asserted that given
amount of earth is proposed to be
moved down from the mountains by that
process; that this amount of earthly mat
ter will I'LL up to a given depth a stated
area of valley lands, and will choke and
destroy the navigability of our chief
streams and their tributaries; that this
work of destruction is to be carried on
behind structures that are not specified
in any detail whatever as sufficient to
permanently retain the debris and de-
tritus; that as matter of fact, it is not
possible to impound this matter as is pro-
posed, and that this fact is to be demon
strsted at the expense of the valley, the
demonstration coming at a time when it
will be too late to rectify the error and
prevent the injury we foresee;sthat the
streams into cataracts, and will bring
down and deposit in the lower canyons a
vast amount of earthly matter that will
move steadily toward and into the silt
bearing streams, and so fill them that
they will be diverted and proceed to find
new courses, carrying in their way de-
struchon incalculable in it's damage and
rendering the valleys practically un-
inhabitable.
To these charges it is only replied that
the restraining works are to be of a
character that will satisfy the demands of
certain engineers, and therefore the min
ing cannot be prosecuted until such
satisfaction with the substantially OF the
dams is a fixed fact. But it has not been
replied that any such works have been
constructed; it has not been shown why
certain mines have been permitted to go
on with their work behind low, weak
and wholly insufficient brush dams in
narrow canyons; nor has it been shown
that any guarantee has been or can be
given that when the amount of earthly
matter proposed to be moved has been
sent down into the canyons it will be
permanently retained there. and will
cease to be a menace to the rivers and the
valleys.
This is question to be debated on the
lines of reason. not of vituperation and
calumnious assertion, nor under the
cover of assault upon motives. We are
entering upon an untried scheme, an ex-
pertinent, trial that hinges solely upon
the opinion of engineers of a certain class
of experience and technical knowledge,
and against whom are others of equal ca
pacity and technical skill, who boldly as
sert that the calculations as to retention
are erron eous, and the proposed effort to
hold back the earthly food impossible.
1t is to halt-calling for inquiry that we
have given attention, convinced that it is
necessary to lock the door before the