The San Francisco call., 1895-10-17
THE STATE MINERS ASSOCIATION
TREATED TO NUGGETS OF
ORATORY.
HINTS OF STRANGLED DISCORD.
THE Ex- SECRETARY THE RECIPIENT
OF A HANDSOME GIFT FROM
HIS COLLEAGUES.

feelings cngenuered py eooU WoIN a0Soih-
plished the fountains of oratory were
thrown wide open at the half days session
of the California Miners Association yes
terday. Only the standing committees re-
mained to be appointed to complete the
routine programme and but little time was
occupied by Chairman Neff in performing
this task, the committees being as follows;
Executive comlttee-At large-W. W. Mon
tague, c. W. Cross, II. Piehoir, Thomas L.
Church. Andrew Carrigan, Louis Sioss Jr.,
S Il. ChriSty, K. MeMurray, Edward Coleman,
John NJ Wright. r. J. Parsons, D. f. Hayes,
S. J. Hendy, TREY l.. Ford, Ross, E. Browne;
Alameda-A. II. Ricketts,, Charles G. Yale;
Amador j. F. Parks, John r. Tregloan;
Butte A. Ekman, W. f.; Duncan; Cal,
Hye5as r. Lane F. IsmaY F. ThoRsI R,s6ards =!
Nevada-Ired Zeitler, J. NJ. Wnlling; Placer
Harold r. Power, Felix Chappellet; PlumaS-
George Standard, W. W. Kellogg; Sacramento
John Batcher, J. IL. Burnham; san Fran
cisco-E. A. Belcher. W {. Ralston; Shasta-R.
G. Hart, c. W. Fielding; Sierra-frank X.
Wehe, d. T. Cole; Mariposa-A. Wartenweiler
Thomas Couch: Santa Clara-R. r. Bulmore,
Charles c. Derby; SislIyou-A. q. Myers, James
Farraher: Trinity-Iohn McMurray, d. G. Reid;
luolumne-k. c. lotus, J; w {; Maxwell;
o'Brien, l.. Conrath.
Committee on legislation -Tirey L. Ford, w,
W. Kellogg, j. NJ Wright, {. +. Hoffman, r. A.
Belcher, K. McMurray, \. II. Ricketts,, d. g.
Reid, John McMurray, e. X. Wehe. Grant l.
Taggart, Hugh Craig, Ross Z. Browne, 7. ].
Parsons, Edward Coleman.
Committee on preservation OF mineral lands
w. {. RalSton, Andrew Carrgah, c. q. Hof-
man, f. c. Lotus. NJ. r. Thomas.
Chairman Neff then stated that as all
the regular business was out of the way
he proposed that the delegates should have
treat in listening 10 the remarks OF some
OF the prominent men present He then
called upon NJ. A. Hurley, who gave n
hrnoh iDtipratinn nf tho fires nf HiSCnrd
that had ragged, but behind impossible
barriers, during the remarkably harmoni-
ous convention. lie said:
There were wild rumors on the street of dis
sensions among the members and officers, and
of hostile resolutions to be introduced in this
convention; but am glad 10 say that while |
have attended many conventions at none was
there such general harmony and unity of pur-
pose displayed and such a businesS-like man.
ner of conducting the proceedings employed.
] noted particularly The absence OF long
winded and unnecessary speeches.
You are to he congratulated on the work of
this convention: ii has been well performed.
on the success of this organization depends
the interests of the miners of the State. 1t
must and am sure il is able to accomplish
two things. one Is the protection cf mineral
lands from the rapacity of the railroad and the
other is the rehabilitation OF hydraulic min
ing.
The most remarkable thing, and to me the
most astounding, is the apathy and lethargy
of the Californians except those actually en-
gagged in the business OF mining, in reference
10 the importance OF the mining interests of
the State.
Congressman Mcguire entered the hall
as Mr.. Hurley concluded and the applause
which began for the speaker as he retired
from the platform continued until the new
conner appeared upon the platform and
was introduced by Chairman Neff. The
remarks OF Congressman Mcguire were
brief but TO the point, and elected the
heartiest applause. He said:
l have not come here for the purpose of
making speech, but for the purpose of stating
10 you that while do not represent mining
district have always been in full sympathy
with your purposes from the beginning.
have at all times endeavored. as far as my
ability and knowledge allowed, 10 aid you and
your representatives i'll securing and promot-
ing justice for you.
The great question now absorbing the people
Of the mining districts is the effort to prevent
the Central Pacific Railroad Company and its
successors from obtaining possession OF the
mining lands of the State under a grant which
did not include mineral lands.
Whatever ! can do TO prevent the carving
out OF this plan by the railroad | shall be
pleased TO do on every occasion and at every
opportunity when in Washington or here. Ii
can serve YOU here in the accom- plish ment of
that purpose and prevent the injustice which
believe Is now being put on the mining
people you may call on me, and you may rest
assured that will do whatever l can to aid
YOU and your cause want YOU to feel that
You may freely cali on ME to protect your in
terestS. for on this particular matter my mind
is fully made up and my course settled.
thank YOU very much for your Conrtesv in
inviting me TO speak here and am glad that
have been given the opportunity or stating my
position 10 YOU.
Kellogg of Plumas. with the idea OF
bringing relief to the association and indi-
vidual miners from the expenses attending
mineral land contests, submitted the fol-
lowing, which was adopted:
z. IA
the duty, OF the General Government to pre-
serve and protect the mineral lands belonging
10 the Government from being patented or con-
Veyed 10 railroad or other similar corporations
that such lands should always be open for
prospecting, working and developing and by
individual companies or corporations organ.
lied for mining purposes alone, and that when
q contest 10 an application for grants of land
by the Government to said railroad companies
arises as TO the charecter-minersl, agricul-
tural or timber-of such lands the General Gov
ernmeut should as matter of right and Jus.
tice and for the benefit OF the country and citi-
Eens geperally pay all the expenses incurred
before any OF the departments.
Ex-Secretary Ralston was then called 10
the platform by Chairman Neff, who after
some appropriate remarks rendered the
diihdent and hlushing retiring officer as q
marx of the associations esteem with a
complete dinner, tea and desert service OF
silver, comprising knives, forks and spoons
In handsome oak cabinet. Mr.. Raiston
RETURNED NnanNS Tor the magnlnCent gilt,
and again promised answering fealty 10
his colleagues and their work
Railroad Commissioner La Rue. who
was delegate to the convention from Sac.
ramento, was invited to address the assem-
nlage, which he did as follows:
am with you in this fight against the rrea,
corporation that has throttled the people OF
this State In all directions. l believe that all
mining lands should be as free now as they
were in lS49. The railroad should be curbed
God knows they have had enough | am en-.
gagged in a similar fight TO yours 1t is not,
however, tight against the railroad as il is
for the people OF the state. am Just as heart
lily in sympathy with you SIS ] am with the
farmers.
Niles Searls of Nevada, in responding ia
the chairman's invitation to address the
convention, took occasion 10 defend the
memory OF Senator 4. 4. Sargent from the
aspersion, as he termed it, OF having
worked against the interests OF the miners
1T any time. He said he would as soon
believe that Coils p. Huntington had
turned traitor TO the Southern Pacific Com
pany; that w. H. Mills was found doing
what he believed contrary 10 the interests
of the company of which he was land
agent, that Tammany refused TO acceptthe
spoilS of office, as that Sargent had been
recreant TO the miner.
J. NJ, Wright promptly took up the chal-
lenca thrown down H had N, a a a. 49, ~, v,e