The herald., 1895-10-17
The Miners Convention Is Con-
sidered a Success
NEFF is GREATLY PLEASED
The Outlook for the Future Is a Prom.
ising One
Hope for the Segregation and cins sill ation Of
Mineral Lands, and the Resump-
tion of Hydraulic Mining
Associated Press Special Wire


SAN FRANCISCO, Oct. 16.-"I think
this convention has been the most sue
cessful yet held by the California Min
ers' association said President Naff to-
day after the delegates had finished their
business, which was begun last Monday,
and were ready to go home.
1.-The results of the fourth annual ses-
sion of men interested In the mining in
dustry of this state are fully up to the
expectations OF the managers of the assu-
citation. 1t pleased me to see that the
policy of the executive committee during
the PAST year. There had been some talk
that an attempt would be made to pre-
vent continuance OF that policy. but if
such an intention existed it was aban.
doned."
Mr.. Neff referred to the threats that an
internecine war would be caused in the
action by the Southern Pacific company
SO as to prevent continuance OF the
struggle against that corporation in re-
lation to mineral lands.
"At present." Mr.. Neff continued,
there is a promising outlook for the
final settlement of the question between
the railroad company and the Miners
ASSOCIATION as to the segregation and
classification of mineral lands. The as
ISOLATION is willing to meet the railroad
company half way in the determ ination
of this question. l am informed on
what l consider reliable authority that
the raiorad company has singified to
some of our representatives its willing
ness to aid US in getting satisfactory leg
islaiton concerning the mineral lands.
Mr.. Neff spoke of the value which the
annual conventions have been to the
miners in concentrating their forces for
the improvement of the mining industry.
The harmony among the miners of
the various counties represented has in
creased constantly" he remarked. The
southern part OF this state has developed
mining properties and expressed will
ingDess to cooperate with the northern
counties affiliated with this association
in helping the miners. The association is
permanent institution. Its stability
and power have been proven at this COLI
vention. The number of delegates this
year was larger than last year. The as
ISOLATION will continue to have a conven-
cessity for action 20 protect the mining
industry. Efforts will be made TO obtain
legislation for the advancement OF hy-
draullc mining, as well as for the preser-
walton OF mineral lands Tor the miners.
'The mineral lands committee was
necessarily changed, as Chairman Rick
etts declined to serve longer and other
mem bers of the comm ittee wished to be
relieved. William Z. Ralston, who has
been an industrious, vigilant secretary
for three terms, will act as chairman OF
the mineral lands committee. The
continuance of the policy heretofore pur-
sned in reference to the preservation OF
mineral lands for Miners
John NJ. Wright, the San Fran cisco at
torney, who is a member of the executive
committee, made speech yesterday in
the convention IN which he scored the
Southern Pacific. In this extern poran-
eous address MIR. Wright made rk
about Aaron A. Sargent, the deceased
United States senator. which called for
a warm response from Niles Searles, SUI
preme court commissioner. Mr.. Wright
was thoroughly satisfied with the work
of the convention and after adjournment,
he said
THE main purpose of the conven ton
was to confirm what has already been
done to promote the two great objects of
the association and to lay foundation
for further work along the same lines.
These objects are to advance the interests
of hydraulic mining and tn maintain the
mineral lands for exploration and pur-
chase by the miner and prospector by
preventing their absorption as part of
the grants to subsidized railroads. The
vote of the convention was a unit on
both Of these subjects and by the adop-
ton of a new constitution and bylaws
a satisfactory provision was made for sui
ticient money TO carry out the purposes
OF the association. There can be no
question that the association is in heal
thier and stronger condition than at any
time in its history. 1t is crystalizing
into a permanent force, operative
tnroug hout the entire body polite. The
element of cohesiveness displayed will
make it the most powerful organization
in the state. In fact. the association
NAV be said to hold the destiny of the
state in its hands,"