The San Francisco call., 1896-11-15

California miners have recently taken
active steps to induce Congress to establish
department of the General Government
for the dispatch of business pertaining to
mines and mineral lands. Their late con-
vention in this City offered resolutions to
that end, reciting the Importance OF the
industry, pointing out some of the defects
OF the present system and urging that the
vast interests involved are entitled to
more consideration than has been granted
under the present circumlocutory, un-
skillful and unjust system.
The CALL believes that this demand of
the miners is just, and will gladly do all
in its power to further their purpose.
The case was recently put in the follow
ing terse manner by the journal of the
Northwest Mining Association, and the
same sentiment has been voiced by i'm
portant organizations all over the country:
From all over the country comes the state
ment that department of mines snould be
created; 10 be a Cabinet Office and to have q
place beside the other Cabinet Offices The
mining industry has become so important
that 1t can no longer be properly served by
the Interior Department. No man can be g
miner and agriculturist; nor is it fair to
suppose that the Secretary of the Interior is at
OLie anu the same time ldm1lldr with both.
That official has quite enough to attend to in
ternal affairs outside of mining as he has
outside of agriculture. He is not miner nor
does ne pretend to be, and yet he is called
upon 10 promote and equitably adjust mining
dnd its irregularities. The Northwest Mining
Association is anxious to get the views of
those who may be interested IN mining, and
after due deliberation will, il thought proper,
urge that the department of mines an mining
. Ie
pointed to occupy the office. The West and
South are vitality interested in this matter.
and many OF the Eastern and Central States
are also; therefore, there will be little opposi
ton to the movement.
1t is common and general COMPLAINT
OF miners that the men in the General
Land Office and Department of the In
terror are ignorant of the fundamental
principles OF mining, and it is claimed
that none but experts can properly ad-
the vast business that pertains TO
American mineral lands, and that it is un-
just to one of the most important indus
tries OF the country, one second only 10
agriculture and manufactures, that it
should remain forever in swaddIine
clothes.
The same spirit OF dissatisfaction with
antiquated and Inadequate methods that
found expression at the recent convention
mas been growing in intensity and spirit
for several years. Miners everywhere
have realized that they are at a great dis
advantage when seeking justice through
department whose members are in no
sense mineral experts. President g. B.
Dennis OF the Northwest Mining Assocla-
ton recently said in public address:
In the early history of and shortly after the
rganization of this association, Colonel N E.
LinsIey introduced resolution which was in
effect The establishment of a Cabinet Office in
the United States Government which should
be known as the Department of Mining. This
resolution was ably supported by Captain c.
d. thompson and Others. paper advocating
the measure was read by A. F. Parker OF
Grangeville, Idaho, at our Official convention
February % last. The association feels that
the time has come when the great min ing in
terests of the United States should have the
same recognition officially by this Government,
in he way of a Cabinet Office and officer, as any
other department of commerce or state, and to
that end will labor hard to accomplish it. It's
action has borne fruit, in that the mining
associations of California and Colorsdo have
Joined forces with us and will help US carry to
success this meritorious movement. The Office
of Minister Of Mines for the British Provinces
has proven great boon 10 mining there, and
1t is with the same intent that we endeavor to
establish the same thing for these United
States. Our great mining Interests are fast
awakening 10 its importance and demand
that 1t receive at the hands OF the United
States Government that recognition which
shall place it upon parity with other COM
mercial indus tries. We hope to be successful.
Special attention is being given TO the contour
and topography ofour country, to the end that