The San Francisco call., 1896-11-12
: tiously SAID he had only been in this State

I tlously said he had only been in this State
since 1S49.
He added: .'I believe that not more than
one-fortieth part of the gold of our hills
in California has been taken out.
IF these hills were the same distance
| from New York or Buffalo as they are
from San Francisco the people there
woulo see that a bill was passed in Con-
gress 10 work them.
II propose to move everything within
my power in Congress TO advance such
legislation rs will at the same time ad-
vance the interests of the miners and pro-
tect the navigable waters"
A further report of the committee on
resolutions was presented and adopted as
follows:
tion strongly. and urgently desires the ap-
pointment of Cabinet officer to be known as
the Secretary OF Mines and Mining.
Resolred, That In the judgment of this asso-
citation IL would be desirable thatthe Governor
OF this STATE. Ia appointing regents of the
University OF California, take into considers
tiou the impor tance of the mining industry Of
this State and consider the advisability of APP
pointing com petent miner one OF the re-
gents of that institution when opportunity
offers.
A communication from the Chamber of
Commerce, indited by Hugh Craig. its
president, in regard to the department of
mines and mining, was referred to the
com mittee on resolutions.
The letter inclosed four memoranda
from G. Mem Ross, delegate from Yuba
County, on The following subjects:
First-A plan for insurance for those en-
gagged in mining and milling ores in Cali
fornia.
Second-A plan to better prepare young
miners for their life work.
The writer sugges ted that the memo
randa be acted upon by the convention
and closed by indorsing the idea OF the
establishment of q department for mines
and water at Washington with special
secretary.
G. NJ. NJ. Ross suggested that at the
earliest moment arrangements be made
so that the University OF California can
issue to nonresident students the degree
OF mining engineer. The university could
announce the subjects in which the
students would be examined and suggest
the best textbooks for study, and in all
possible ways aid the nonresident students
to prepare themselves for such examina-
tions as they would have to pass before
the degree would be conferred.
The mining bureau could be made part
ef school of mines 10 be located in San
Francisco and managed as other branches
OF the State University now are.
Delegate f. Chapell presented the follow
ing, which was adopted:
Rescued, That a committee of three be ap-
pointed to consider and report upon the sub
ject of a hospital for disa bled miners.
When the chair announced that the
time had come for electing officers for the
ensuing year Judge Searls, in a highly
f1attering speech, placed Jacob H. Neff of
Placer in nomination for the chairman
ship.
Mr.. Neff was nominated b5 acclamation
and made speech returning his thanks.
o. w. Jasper of Alameda having moved
| that the nominations for president be
closed apd that rising vote be given the
selection of a vice president was In order.
| Delegate Ford was recognized, and he
nominated Samuel R. Thornton, the in
| cumbent
judge Niles Searls again rose in second
/ ing Thornton's nomination.
| Delegate VOORHEES, motion for rising
vote by acclamation was carried.
| Thornton acknowledged his nomination
in graceful speech. He desired tha.
| credit be given to those people who had
proved the friends of the miners in this
| State.
|, Judge Cross placed w. w. Montague in
nomination for treasurer, and upon the
second of Delegate LOTUS the nomination
was by acciamation.
! Judge Belcher nominated Julian Sonn-
! tag to succeed himself as secretary, stat
| ing that not only had he been careful,
hard working servant, alive to the inter-
ests of the miners of the State, but he pe-
lieved it injudicious 10 swap horses in the
middle OF u stream.
] Nj. Sonntag went in by acclamation.
Fred Searis read the act proposed to be
presented to the House OF Represents
tives, and which was referred, after some
| discussion, to the committee on Iegisla-
| ton. 1t reads as follows:
A bill to create an executive department of
mines and mining. BE it enacted By the Sem
| ate and House OF Representatives OF the United
States of America in Congress assem- ed
| that there shall be at the seat OF Government
an executive department., TO be known as the
/ Department. of Mines and Mining, the gen.
| erai design and duties of-which shall be to
| acq uire by examination, practical and scien-
tifc experiments, gee. ogical research, or other
| wise, useful information on subjects connected
with mining in the general and comprehensive
sense OF the word, and to diffuse the same
among the people OF tue United States.
Section 2. That said department shall be
under the supervision OF Secretary of Mines
| and Mining, who shall be appointed by the
| President, by and with the consent of the
Senate; and section 1873 of the Revised
Statutes is hereby amended to include such
department aud the provisions of title OF
| said Revised statutes, including all amend
mcnts thereto, are hereby made applicable to
| said department.
Sec. 3. That there shall be in said depart
nent an Assistant Secretary oi Mines and