The record-union. [volume] (Sacramento, Calif.) 1891-1903, 1895-10-19
UN WISE RApICALIsM.

In every cow ention called for the pro-
motion of any public purpose, a single
central thought pervades its dslibera-
tons. That central thought is the mold
in which its proceedings are generally
cast. In all SUCH bodies there are those
who, tempted by desire for applause and
encouraged by the atmosphere produced
by consensus of opinion among those
surrounding them, attract to themselves
attention by the radicalism of their posi-
ton. The late State Miners Convention
was not devoid of this element.
There was q large number of wild
eyed orators to exolaim with dramatic
fervor. "God helps those who help thsm
selves" There was a fair sprinkling of
the element which desires to crowd the
mOurners benches At the altar which, in
their fervid imagination, they think the
convention has erected for the worship
of the great central purpose which has
called it together. 1t Is the same ele-
ment which the evangelist Is sure TO con-
vert at every revival meeting, and which
even on the street has difficulty in re-
strRining itself from following the drum
of the Salvation Army.
1t was from the ranks OF this element
that the attack on the late Senator Sargent
came. Mining, however legitimate, is
ephemerous. When the President Of the
State Miners Association declared that
the mineral belt was well defined from
San Bernardino TO the Oregon line, he
was simply INDUCING in species of ex-
trsvagant partisanship, which is forever
the bane of those who desire to give
emphasis to the orthodoxy of their faith
poused. The statement was not founded
on substantial fact; nor was its declarR-
ton the result of considerate judgment.
1t was the effsrvescencs of over-enthusi-
REm which distinguishes the shouter at q
c&mp-mseting; but as 1t had been ohal-
lsnged, the defense of the Presidents
statement offered q tempting opportunity
70 over-zsalous ad vocRcy.
In the old days of Miners Conventions
there was a race of good men, who have
but few SUCCESSORS and unfortunately no
imitators. Being miners, they still had
that GOODNESS OF perception which enabled
them to understand that all industrial in
terssts must be adjusted to each other.
There were giants in those days.; and
towering head and shoulders above them
stood Aaron a. Sargent, statesman OF
incorruptibls virtue, who. during a long
public career, WAS never accused OF a
public utterance even ohArgeabIe with
having been made for the purpose of win
ming applause or of vindicsting his 10y
atty to the principles he espoused. That
calm, judicial consideration Of all quss-
tions which rises superior to small
minded prejudice, and while advocating
and maintaining the rights of any special
al others, distinguishes the statesman
from the fanatic. In this broader spirit.
Senator Sargent declared in effect that the
primary use of all land was for agricult-
ural purposes; that the product Of the
soil through the industry aad diligence
of the cultivator was its greatest and
most substantial use; and that sfirma-
tive proof should be required to pass the
land from the category of agricultural
land TO its exceptions. This was the true
pround of conservative and wise states
manship.
Tho term "Iand" Is generic and gen.
eral. 1t passes to it's exception by the
use of an adjective, as timber" land,
mineral land, "coal' and Iron" land.
To come within the category of these ex-
captions, 1t must be more valuable for
timber than for agricultural purposes.
I7,der the law of the United States, as ii
exists to-day, timbered land is such land
"a ia valuable only for timber. Mineral
land is land more valuable for mineral
than for agricultural purposes The excep-
ZION IN this rule should be clearly I'M
derstood, AS the United States survey
ars have returned land as mineral, it Ia