The San Francisco call., 1896-11-12
And Expressed the Hope That
Reed of Maine Would
Change.
BIG DAMS WILL BE BUILT AT
ONCE.
recommendations That Will Be of
Great Help 10 the Mining II.
dustry in This State.

The work of the convention OF the Cali
fornia Miners Association was finished
yesterday afternoon. the second day of the
session.
The association indorsed the logic of
the civil service system by re-eIecting all
its officers. They had done their duty
faithfully and well, and the association
thought wisely that it would be better to
retain good servants, familiar with the
work, than to take on green hands.
Governor Budd and Congressman Bar
ham addressed the convention and gave
1T words of hope, the Governor announc-
ing that the $4,000 appropriated Jointly
by the State Legislature and Congress
would he expended in the construction of
big dams for restraining the debris from
hydraulic mines, ali the legal technical
difficulties having been cleared away by
the amendment to the act of Congress.
The Governor rem arked incidentally that
he would retire 10 private citizenship after
the expiration of his present term of
Office, and that he did not intend to run
for office again.
Senator White sent letter apologizjng
for not attending the convention, on the
ground of pressure of business, and init
mating that Thomas B. Reed OF Maine
was opposed TO the mining bill now before
Congress.
The most pleasant event of the day was
the presentation to Senator TREY L. Ford
OF an elegant silver set and china dinner
service as testimonial of esteem and OF
gratitude for services rendered by him in
Washington on behalf OF the miners of
this State. and for which services he re-
fused to accept any compensation what
ever.
After Chairman Neff had called the
meeting to order Judge c. w. Cross OF
Nevada, chairman of the committee on
order OF business, presented his report.
The following from the Labor Commits
sioner was read:
have noticed in the columns of the Mining
and Scientific Press an article suggesting the
necessity OF the passage by our Legislature oi
an amendment to the present mechanics len
law, so that the persons furnishing labor and
materials IN construction, development and
improvement upon mining properties may be
adequately protected. l therefore beg leave 10
state that during the last year many COM
plants have been filed with me based upon
The loss of pay by miners who have not been
properly protected, and sincerely hope that
some action may be taken by the Miners con-
Vention toward recommending an amendment
OF this character to the Legislature.
AS the miners convention represents the
combined mining Interests of our State feel
that such recommended ton will meet with
the hearty approval of the legislators, aud re-
suit In unmeasured benefit to those interested.
Trusting that the convention In it's wisdom
viii undertake this action have the honor to
remain, Yours, very truly,
Z. L. FITZGERALD, Labor Commissioner.
Congressman Eugene f. Loud sent in
the following communication:
In reply to your kind invitation to be pres
ent at nesting OF your association on the
1lth inst. l Will say that shall make an effort
10 pc with you, but If fail can assure you
in the future that shall endeavor by ali hon
oraole means to further the interests of ali
legitimate projects you may advocate as 7
think have done in the past.
United States Senator s.ephen M
White sent comm muuication to Secretary
Sonntag, OF which the following is a copy
Yours of the 4th inst requesting me TO be
present al the convention OF the California
Miners Association which will convene in
San Francisco November 10 ct 10 A NJ re.
ceiyed. II would afford me much pleasure to
meet you and to confer with the associa tion
regarding legislation pending in Congress and
with reference 10 their interests generally hllt
have been absent from my business so long
and must depart for Washington so shortl g
that am forced to stay here for the present.
The position of the mineral lands bill in the
House is very critical, and unIess Mr. Reed
takes different view OF the situation | am
afraid we viii not be able to getit up. Several
members of the delegation who reside in OF
near San Francisco Will, doubt be at voul
convention and can explain if necessary the
situation fully, although believe that YOU are
thoroughly advised with reference thereto
Senator Ford is cognizant OF the facts and
will be able TO adequately explain the diff
culties surrounding us. l have only TO add
that | will continue my best exertions 10
wards advancing what deem 10 be your rea,
sonable demands. Yours very truly,
STEPHEN NJ. WHITE.
Professor Fairbanks of the State Mining
Bureau read long paper on The coal, oil
building-stone and mineral-waterr resource:
OF this State.
On motion OF Judge Belcher thanks were
extended to the professor Tor his valuable
and exhaustive paper, and the secretary
was instructed to have printed 1000 copies
of the address for distribution among the
members OF the Legislature.
Judge c. w. Cross said the opinion o.
the Attorney. General read yesterday need
cause no alarm among miners. He had
carefully studied the opinion and found
that it merely went to declare that the
DebrisCommissioner had no power to make
contracts Jointly with the United States
e. Commission, but he had fulI power tc
contract and pay for the construction o.
work performed by the State. The intent
of the law was TO prevent the United
States from being entangled IN the matter
in any wav
He said that the people OF California,
both miners and farmers, bad Implicit
confidence in the work OF The United
States engineering board; for whatever
else might be said about some other de-
partment OF the Government, no scandal
had ever been breathed against that hu-
reau. In order thattthe Debris Commis-
SION might know what its duties were ne
had prepared the following resolution:
Resolved, That committee of three be ap-
pointed whose duty it shall be to confer with
Inc California Debris Com mission, the State
DeDrls Commissioner and the Attorney GEN
eral IN regard to the construction OF the de-
DTS Dam, said committee to be under the di-
fscuon OF the executive committee.
On motion of Judge WalIiup the rules