The San Francisco call., 1897-11-14
The Campaign for a Secretary
Of Mines Begins Electricity
for Mother Lode Mines.

creation OF an executive department OF m ines
and mining in the Federal Government was
definitely begun yesterday at a meeting OF
part of the committee this matter ap-
pointed at the recent State Mining Conven-
ton here in the Office of Chairman Tirey l..
Ford.
This great plan, the success of which would
be al ines timable aid TO the whole mining in
dustry, originated with the Califor mia Miners
Association two years ago. Last summer COM
mttees to push the cam paign were appoiI ted
by the International Gold Miners Conven-
tion at Denver and the Trans Mis- issIppi Con-
gress at Salt Lake City. Mr.. Ford is also chair
man OF the latter committee Otherwise there
has simply been a great deal OF talk TO date,
but the talk has spread the idea and it Is cor
daily favored by every branch of the mining
Industry in the United States.
The following plan of action was outlined
yesterday:
Secure Endorsements of legislative bodies,
including legislatures. boards of supervisors
and city councils; of commercial and indus
trial bodies and governors and mayors.
Prepare and present arguments and Stats
tics 10 the President and Cabinet, the Com
missioner OF the General Land Office and Sen
ators and Representatives.
Present the matter through one or more per-
sonal representatives to Congressional COM
mittees.
Secure the cooperation of the press.
Messrs. Ford and Yale were named to pre-
pare statistics and arguments. Messrs. Glass,
Crawford and Ralston to secure the CO.
operation of commercial and other powers,
and w. c. Ralst ton Will ask the support of the
press.
Letters from H. w. Lawrence of Utah, Bon.
George w. E. Dorsey OF Nebraska and Hon.
Thomas NJ Pattison of Colorado, members OF
the Trans Mississippi Congress committee,
were read. They expressed to Mr.. Ford readi-
ness for cooperation. Nh Dorsey gave assur-
ance that Lafe Pence. chairman OF the Denver
committee. would gladly cooperate, and con-
tinued with the following Interesting informa
ton:
"Mr Pences committee has been gathering
information, ETC., and. as l advised, in
tends to visit Washington this coming winter.
"I have written to President Mckinley and
Secretary Bliss in reference to the action OF
bot commi tees on this subject. Have told
them the feeling among the miners of the
Wes tern country and urged Mr.. Bliss to call
attention to this matter in his annual report
to the President and urge action on tie lines
indicated. Mr.. Bliss wrote that he would give
this matter his careful consideration and he
would be pleased to talk the matter over with
me when visit Washingto ton"
1t was decided to invite the other commit
tees 10 a JOINT conference in San Francisco or
elsewhere in January. Meantime the cam
paign will be vigorously pushed and large
amount of information win be gathered.
The California Miners Association Is
Very Much Alive.
Yesterday Julian Sonntag. the energetic sec
retary of the California Miners Associa ton,
finished getting ready for the prin ter the re-
port of the recent sixth annual conven ton.
A pract ically full report will be printed in
Cd it;a nf1 MI binh hIuil hQ Qo6v IN
distribution in bout two weeks, and it Will be
much sought after by the mining men of the
State 1t will contain in full the very interest
ing report and paper, comprising about 5000
words, on the needed revision OF the Federal
mining laws read by w. S. Keyes, and this will
give the report an added value, as Mr.. Keyes
represents the committee on the subject ap-
pointed at the International Gold Miners Con-
vention, recon mends very radical changes
and vigorously and at length assails the pres
ent "apex" or "extralateral right" law.
The executive committee of the association
will soon hold meeting to push the various
matters in hand 1t will probably be deter
mined how best to urge on the Federal powers
al Washington the early completion of The
long-delayed restraining dams, and confer
ence will be held with the commi ttee of thir-
teen appoin ted to hurry up the Federal engi-
neers having the thing directly in hand.
Secretary SOnntae and others want to see q
permanent headquarters of the association
opened in the city, providing general meet
ing-place for miners, place for information.
etc., open daily and in charge of an assistant
secretary
Butte County will soon have an active
county association that will be valu0 BILE ad-
di ton to the State Association. W. E. Duncan
OF Orovile is successfully stirring up in terest
there and says that meeting for organiza-
ton will be held soon. One or more officers of
the State Association will be invited to be
present.
The Semi Centennial of the Discovery
of Gold.
During the coming week the prospects of
what the proposed celebration of the fiftieth
anniversary of Mar shalrs dis covery at Coloma
will amount 10 and the scale and style OF 1t
will appear There will be committee ana
personal conferences of those most interested
in promoting the enterprise, in which plans
and prospects will be discussed. The out
come will depend on the definite start made
whether or not it IS in the hands OF able and
energetic men and whether or not the hearty
cooperation OF many organizations and the
business men generally can be obtained.
II the cee bra tion is carried out on grand
scale, for which q large amount of money
must be secured it will Interest largely the
entire State draw crowds of people to the city,
be described far and wide and be an effective
advertisement of California mining, calling
attent on 10 the great present OF gold mining
here as well to its great past The enter
prise may b, given large practical value as
well as keen sentimental interest. A local
programme of literary exercises, a banquet
and perhaps miltia parade Will not give it
much value or interest. 1t needs the ''whoop"
OF great festivity, and there is no California
occasion which might inspire a greater one.
The plan appeals to both the Imagination and
the business interests of the public. The time
is short, the day is January "a next, but
the prospects of the scheme will appear soon.
New Era of Electricity and Boom On
the Mother Lode.
The new era of life and development In
Amador, Cslaveras and Tuo,umne counties.
the beginning of which the past week may be
taken to mark, is one of the most interesting
things in the field of mining in this State.
The other day the golden spike was driven al
the present terminus of the Sierra railroad at
jamestown and the Blue Lakes Water Com
pany made It's frst electric power contract
with mother-lode mine, the South Eureka in
Amador County.
This power plant is being installed and will
be ready for operation by the first OF the
month. The mine will receive $50 horse
mower 10 RIM its hoist mill and numnS l;obt