The record-union., 1895-06-01
AN INCAUTIOUs sLICKENS AD-
VOCATE.

AN INCAUTIOUs SLICKENS AID
VOCATE.
The Et Dorado Republican thanks the
REcoRD-UNIoN for presenting full
synopsis of its views regarding river fill
ing and natural wash. 1t then proceeds
to restate its position. We do not find in
it. however, any greater strength than in
its first article.
All that our esteemed contemporary
claims may. for arguments sake. be con-
coded. and still it cannot excuse the
effort OF the hydraulic miners in antioi-
pating and Fastening natural processes of
change and modification of the earth's
surface.
The Republican says:
Our conception of this problem Is that it
should be approached, not in the spirit of
hostility between factions, but with the view
OF obtaining the best possible results for all
concerned.
view taken by the RECORD UNION.
Again:
We have commended, and still contend, that
the natural course of any stream Is TO I'LL all
the low places surrounding its approach to
the sea, and that whenever men try TO en-
tirely prevent that result, they are engaged In
hopeless struggle against nature.
Granted; SO, too, when men engage in an
unnatural and improbable struggle in
attempting to do in hand span of years
that which nature occupies herself hun
dreds of centuries in accomplishing, dur
ing which period conditions are adapted
to all human needs and men suffer not at
all, they undertake that which nature and
public policy forbid.
We also contend that more debris OF the
lighter silt that reaches the valleys is sent
into the streams at the present time by agrl-
culture than by mining, and that hydraulic
mining is only one of the many causes that
contribute to the result OF filling the low lands
If that is, for the sake of the argument.
conceded, it does not one whit justify
"the one cause" hydraulic mining, which
is artificial and inexcusable while agri-
culture is natural and necessary. But it
is by no means true that more slight silt"
is sent down by agriculture than mining;
or that it is sent down by agriculture in
any appreciable degree. OF the millions
of cubic yards lodged in the river chan
nels in the American and the Sacramento
and below the mouth OF the Feather, not
enough agricultural soil can be found to
top one-acre potato patch.
In proof of these assertions any inquirer is
referred to the valley deposits of any river in
the world No hydraulic mining is conducted
in the Mississippi Valley, yet the lower por-
tions of that stream, IL approaches the
Gulf are a continual source of danger to prop
erty and life; shifting and changing the chan
nell washing down immense quantities of
natural debris, and extending the delta into
the ocean, as a mere glance at good map
will indicate.
1t is conceded by all engineers intelli-
gent upon the condition of the California
and the Mississippi Valley rivers. that
the cases are not analogous. But if 1t
were granted, and hydraulic mining as
we have it were added to the causes oper-
sting upon the Mississippi. what think
you, neighbor, would be the conditions,
and what the protest Of the Mississippi
Valley communities
Aliuvial deposits at the mouth of the
Nile and Mississippi are of the richest
character and make land of the highest
value. But the immense deposits IN the
Sacramento Valley destroy rich land and
render it unproduetiye and valueless.
The REcoRD-UNIoN attempts to dispute
these natural laws of water action by pretend
ing that there is no evidence of the cutting of
canyons by streams.
Not so; but whatever natural cutting
there is or was prior to glacial action cam
not justify, excuse or palliate the unnat-
ural, violent and speedy displacement of
the hills by the acts of man in the mount
aims to the devastation of the habitations
of men in the valleys.
We have never said that nature accom-
plished all OF the work. but we refuse 10 per-
NIT the entire blame to be saddIed upon the
hydraulic miner, for If the history of other
streams is any indication the people OF the
Sacramento Valley will have trouble with the
river no matter what course is pursued with
reference to mining.
Oh, yes! But whatever trouble"
comes to as through natural causes is
all-sufficient We protest against more
and irresistible trouble which the by
draulic miner thrusts upon us.
heavy debris does not reach the lower por-
lions OF the stream, and fine debris, whether
natural or artificial, can never be restrained,