The record-union., 1897-05-06
THEY TALKED TO A DRAW.
Impromptu Debate on the Hydraulic
Mining Question.
Sam Thornton Tackles the Super
visors, and Devlin Comes to
Their Aid.

Their Aid.
There was a debate in the Board Of
Supervisors room yesterday that was
not down on the regular programme
for the day, but which was of decld-
eddy animated if not interesting nature.
1t was started by Vice-President
Sam. K. Thornton of the Miners Asso-
citation, who happened to be in the city
and just dropped in to give the mem
bers of the board a little curtain lee
ture for what he termed their unfair
ness in enjoining certain hydraullc
miners from prosecuting their labors
with monitors. Mr. Thornton was ac-
companied by Richard l. Thomas, Sec
rotary to the Debris Commissioner.
The gist of the gentleman's complaint
was that it was wholly wrong for the
Sacramento Supervisors to enjoin a ny
draulic miner and drag him into the
courts. They should bring charges
against anyone they believe to be en-
gagged in unlawful mining before the
Debris Commission and let the latter
body investigate the matter.
Supervisor Morrison took up the
gauntlet on behalf of the board and
proved himself TO be quite Mr.. Thorn
toms match in debate. He told the
representative of the Miners Associa-
ton that it came with bad grace from
the miners to complain of injustice,
since they subject valley men to such
treatment as was accorded a Supervisor
of Suffer COunty-a gentleman VINO
would do no man an injustice, and who
went into the mining region to inspect
q mine of which complaint had been
made He was not allowed to sleep in
the hotels, and was refused even some
thing to eat Yet all he was after was
TO learn the facts and to see that no
injustice was done to the miners.
Mr. Thornton did not meet this thrust,
but again declared that injunction was
not the proper procedure. Complaints
should be laid before the Debris Com
mission.
Mr.. Morrison said he knew the Debris
Commissioners were good men and were
trying to have justice done to both
farmers and miners, but they cannot
attend to these complaints. He knew of
one case of alleged illegal mining which
it took them three months to inVest-
gate. If the Board of Supervisors
notify a hydraulic miner that he should
obtain permit from the Commissioners
to run his mine, and he fails to do so,
then the county is justified in taking
the necessary and only action it can to
prevent him from running his mine I'M
til he complies with the law. When was
a hydraulic miner ever fined a cent by
the Debric Commission for failure to
obtain a permit before mining? Yet the
law provides that the miner who fails
to first get his permit-or who runs
hydraulic mine without a permits
subject TO a fine of $4,000
Mr.. Thornton again went after the
Supervisors for bringing injunction
suits before obtaining proofs that in
jury was being done by persons oper-
ating mines
Mr.. Morrison said that no old resident
of this section needs any one to bring
him proofs of damage by hydraulic min
ing. 1t is patent to every one. All that
is asked is that the miners comply with
the law. He believed the Miners Asso-
citation to be honest in its purposes, and
it has always contended that hydraulic
miners hhould obey the law.
Mr.. Thornton said there was no eX-
cuse for the existence of the Anti-Debris
Association. now that there is a Debris
Commission to manage the business and
look after the interests Of miners and
farmers.
Mr. Morrison wanted to know, if that
We're the case. why the Miners Asso-
citation was continued in existence.
Mr.. Thornton then went into a long
exclamation of the aims and purpose of
the Miners Association. It's object is to
assist in carrying out the plans agreed
on between this State and Congress to
regulate mining and secure the S2oO,000
appropriation for the erection of re-
straining dams and protection Of the
river. These little affairs-the enjoining
of mines and annoying of miners-show
q vindictive feeling and keep alive bit
9erness. And Sacramento County is
leading in keeping up this feeling.
Mr. Morrison replied that these suits
must be brought where men refused TO
obey the law. If Sacramento didn't do
1T. other counties would. 1t had to be
done. He had no feeling against the
miners. and the people have none. He
admitted it was a hardship to compel
each mine to build restraining dams, as
The law requires. but until the Govern
7nent can restore the river it must be
done. The farmers should not be ex-
pected to sit quietly by and allow them
selves to be damaged without a protest.
If the Miners Association is so DESTROYS
of having the law observed, why does
st not complain of violations? 1t is
nearer to the miners than the people of
the valley. and its members should
know better what is going on. BY its
failure to do so il comDels the injured
counties to go to the courts.
Mr.. ThOrnton-The Debris Commits
sion has a man to examine into these
things Why not let him do it?
Morrison-Yes, but Mr.. Story. while
very nice gentleman and good officer,
does not get over the ground very rap
idly. We cannot let these violations go
on for months.
Mr. Thornton-But you take the
wrong method. You have no business
TO do these things without first going
40 the Debris Commission that issues
permits.
Chairman Jenkins-We have acted
always on legal advice in these mat
tiers.
Mr.. ThorntOn-Yes. and If I We're a