The San Francisco call. [volume] (San Francisco [Calif.]) 1895-1913, 1895-12-25
THE REFORMS
ADVOCATED BY THE MINERS
ASSOCIATION.
The General Would Arbitrary Attitude
Toward the Mining Interests There Were
Cabinet Department
Industry.


best interests of all the State, and this
must needs be so, however self-seeking
the objects of the association might be-
come.
But, as have said, the mines of Califor-
mia are already booming though the i'm
pounding dams are still a thing of the flu
ture. Many old quartz and gravel mines
are now being opened, some of which have
not been worked for twenty years before.
With the new machinery that is being put
in and the modern methods of mining
these properties will become dividend pay
ers by the end of 1896. More particularly
in Sierra County are the gravel mines max
ing splendid Roadway. Their promise for
the future is exceedingly bright.
One great drawback to mining in the
past year has been what may perhaps be
called, without meaning offense to the
particular individuals. the dog-in-the
manger attitude that the holders of small
claims have maintained toward those will
ing to purchase and develop the properties.
have found that holders of small pros
poets that have not been worked for fifteen
or twenty years have not been satisfied to
accept reasonable and moderate offers
made by purchasers, but have held out for
exorbitant sums, thus hindering many
sales that would have resulted in the de-
velopment of the mines and the conse-
quent increase of general prosperity. Min
ing valuations have been too high, but |
am glad to be able to state that things are
coming down to a more reasonable basis
and values are more and more coming to
be based upon intrinsic worth.
Now | should like to say word for the
mining interests OF the whole country and
plead for a more general recognition OF
their bearing upon the progress of the
entire Nation. The mining industry of
the United States is one of the most impor-
tant factor in the common veal, and it
should be guarded and fostered by the
General Government as thoroughly and as
carefully rs almost any other OF the n a
tons great industries. In short, the
mining interests should be represented in
the National Cabinet. That is one of the
objects of the Miners Association, to
bring about the enactment of a measure
whereby Cabinet officer shall be appointed
who is thoroughly acquainted with the
mining interests and thoroughly aware
of their needs. The Secretary of Mining
training. He could, and doubtless would,
be of immense service to the mining in
terests. More particularly would such an
official be of service to the California
miners, perhaps, since it would be his duty
to see that the miners received justice at
the hands OF the General Government.
Some years ago it was found necessary to
appoint Secretary of Agriculture. ap-
prenend the mining interests will soon be
able to claim the same degree of recogni-
ton.
1t is known to-day that not only thou
sands but tens OF Thousands of acres of
mineral land have been patented as agri-
cultural lands. Such a state of affairs
could hardly prevail if there was National
department of mining, presided over by
capable Cabinet officer.
1t is to be sincerely hoped that the con-
troversy between the Southern Pacific
Company and the Miners Association re-
gardjng the patenting of mineral lands in
this State will be speedily settled. / be-
lieve that a settlement of this difficulty
will add millions of dollars to the output
of the State Idaho and Montana during
the past year have obtained such relief
our representatives in Congress will be able
TO do as much for the mining interests OF
California. 1t is encouraging to know that
the Anti-Debris Association will not oppose
the law for the relief of the hydraulic
miners. This is surely wise course upon
their part, as even present events will
abundantly prove. One has only to
travel through those sections of the coun-
try OF which the Anti-Debris Association
has jurisdiction, and which it claims to
protect, to realize the Importance to thoes
districts OF fostering this marked revival
of mining. One will find teams leaving
daily from Marysville and Sacramento
packed with provisions for the mining Sec
tions of the State, and if one is atall ac-
quainted in Sacramento he will find there
that nearly all the leading merchants are
interested in some mining properties.
Let me say in conclusion that, though
there have been some unfavorable COM
ments as to the workings of the Miners
Association, 1 can say conscientiousIy and
earnestly that their endeavors have been
honest, and that through the medium of
the association much foreign and Eastern
capital has been brought to this State for
investment. While it is true that the
Miners Association has not yet settled the
mineral lands question and the hydraulic
mining question, yet in both matters prog
ress has been made, and in the latter par
ticularly much good has been done. The
association is determined, through the eff
forts of its executive committee and its
officers, to work zealously in the future, as
il has in the past, for the enhancement and
the promotion of the mining interests of
California. 1t is noteworthy, also, that
more general interest is now being mani
tested in the organization than for some
years before.
1Me=~ -z-