The San Francisco call., 1896-11-16

promote the development of mines to tn
end of increasing the output of precious
metals. The Office of Mining Minister
should be established. We have agriculture
represented in the Cabinet by secretary.
The policy OF the Government to endow
agricultural colleges is wise, and with
equal wisdom it could be extended to en-
brace mining colleges. This would en-
able the State universities to send to the
mines practical men. can see in this
suggestion much that is good. Some one
should write to the President-eect, sub
mitting to his judgment the main points
of the proposition.
George T. Marye-The proposition to
create the Cabinet Office of Secretary of
Mines is one that ought to receive the fav-
orable consideration of Congress-. Mining
is of such vast importance to the United
States that the industry should be recog-
nized and encouraged. When the office of
Secretary of Agriculture was crea ted the
country approved the departure, and am
of the opinion that Congress should take
another step forward and recognize the
value of the mining interests.
A. S. Hallidie-Reasons which demanded
the creation of q Department. of Agricul-
ture with representative in the Cabinet
now demand and justify the establishment
of Department of Mining with Cabinet
minister. Many questions affecting min
eral lands, the production of precious met
ais and the exploration of mineral terri
tory could be removed from the Interior
Department. l am heartily in favor of
the proposed scheme. l think it would
open the way also for the President to
recognize the Pacific Coast In the selection
of his Cabinet.
J. West Martini do not see that any
reasonable objection can be urged against
the proposition TO create the Cabinet office
of Secretary of Mines. The mining indus.
try has grown to be one OF such vast i'm
portance that an independent bureau is
needed, to which questions affecting mines
and miners should be referred. / should
think the President himself would heartily
com mend the measure. 1t would enlarge
his opportunity to recognize the various
industries of the country in his Cabinet.
F. w. Van Sicklen-The more 1 think
of the proposition the more l am i'm pressed
with the good sense of the suggestion Il
strikes me that it is right. There should
Dt u OcCiSldIy Vi S1luCSt uOiQlDR u place 1T
the Cabinet on an equal plane with the
Secretary of Agriculture.
Oliver Roberts-There certainly ought
to be Secretary of Mining appointed tc
take his place in the Cabinet along with
the heads of other departments It is as
tonishing that there has been no such an.
pointment before, considering the grear
mining resources of the United States
On this hemisphere the mineral belt be.
gins in Patagonia and does not end till the
uttermost parts of Alaska are reached
By all means the United States should
have Secretary "a Mining. Itis said thai
the mother lode reaches through good
part of California, but it really extend:
over the whole oil the mountain region
The interestin mining is so great, there is
so much capital In it and so many rami.
fcations and uses for the product of min.
ing that the industry should not longer
be neglected by the Government. There
ought TO be ca pable mining man in the
Cabinet, and he ought TO confer with the
mining countries of the world, such as
Australia, New Zealand, Africa and other
countries where there are mines so thai
the highest information might always be
at hand in the interest of American min.
ers. We have gold, silver, tin, zinc, cop
per, lead. coal and dozen more minerals