The San Francisco call. [volume] (San Francisco [Calif.]) 1895-1913, 1895-03-27
A BITTER ANTAGONIST.

If the CALLS agitation of the subject Of
hydraulic mining accomplish nothing else,
it will serve at least to disclose the mental
attitude OF the parties directly in interest.
With regard to the miners themselves
their position is simple. They are pro-
hlbIted by law from operating their mines
and are anxious to resume. Whether or
not they would be willing to resume if such
resumption would result in damage to the
valley lands is a matter not pertinent to
the issue, seeing that the power to resume
does not exist. The position of the valley
farmers, however-or rather of those who
assume to speak for them-is more COM
pick. They not only are naturally and
properly unwilling that mining should be
resumed if such resumption would result
IN damage to their lands, but seem un-
yieldingiy opposed to any plan or sug-
gestion by which mining might be re-
sumed without entailing such damage
This is the most unfortunate phase of
the whole controversy. The attitude thus
assumed sweeps out OF consideration the
possibilities of engineering skin and simply
announces that the thing is impossible and
therefore should not be attempted. The
Colusa Sun, for instance, whose accom-
phshed editor was the organizer of the
anti-debris movement, says: "When YOU
once turn mountain loose you can't stop
1t on the down grade. The Sun
has knowledge about what can be done
about posslbilities-and the CALL has not"
The Sacramento Bee is equally clear in
the expression of similar sentiment when
it declares that mo legal bondage has ever
fettered the mining industry of Califor-
MA" The sneer conveyed by the quota
ton marks inclosing mining industry" is
insignificant in comparison with the ignor-
ing of the action of the courts in singing
out hydraulic mining for suppression by
Injunction.
The Yuba City Farmer adopts the policy
of leaving out of consideration the fact
that the CALL does not want to see hydrau-
lie mining resumed unless means be devised
for disposing of the debris effectually, and
assumes that resumption under any cir
cumstances would be ruinous.
The Yuba City Independent goes even
further. 1t says: ut is not the business
nor the duty Of the State to revive hydrau-
lie mining" Not satisfied with this. it
adds: There is no law against non-iniuri-
Gus hydraulic mining.'' This ignores the
familiar fact that the iniunctions sup
pressed some mines which were sending no
debris to the streams.
Other exchanges take the position that
because attempts made to impound the
debris have proved unsuccessful, even
though approved by eminent engineers.
therefore the solution of the problem is
impossible.
1t is wholly unnecessary to analyze, COM
ment upon or refute these assertions of our
contemporaries-they speak with sufficient
eloquence for themselves We can only
grieve at the spirit which they disclose.
and must be content to hope that in good
time it will pass away under the influence
OF the broad and generous forces that are
moving forward for the development of all
the wonderful stores of wealth which
abound in the State. If ever there was
time when the highest manhood and patri-
otlsm were needed, it is the present. Bitter
partlsanship, determination to remain
rooted in convictions that might be over
come. a refusal to cherish hope or lend
helping hand, the erecting of restricted
contributions as barrier to possibilities of
general good, a lack of fairness and gem
erosity in dealing with the wonderful
things that make California great-these
sentiments, if they exist, belong to DAYS
that are gone and represent that form of
obstruction which, manifested in many
ways, has kept the progress of California
so LONG in chaine