The herald., 1897-10-19
Meet to Promote a Great
Industry
SOME IMPORTANT RESULTS
LIKELY TO FOLLOW FROM ACTION
TAKEN
Mining Laws to Be Amended and O
Federal Department of Mines
Established
Associated Press Special Wire.

Associated Press Special Wire.
SAN FRANCISCO, Oct. 1s.-The an
nual convention of the California Min
ers' association was called to order by
President Jacob N. Neff today at 10
o'clock. The convention Is fraught with
more than usual interest from the fact
that some action will be proposed that
will materially change the federal min
ing laws. which are considered faulty
and will lead to the esta blishment of a
mining department of the federal gov
ernment.
All the mining counties in the state are
represented.
After the appointment Of the commit
tees on credentials consisting of one del
egate from each county, the convention
adjourned to 1870 p. m.
Upon reconvening at 1:45 o'clock the
report Of the committee on credentials,
accrediting 407 delegates, was received
and adopted, and the convention then
listened to the annual address of Presi
dent Jacob N. Neff Of Placer county.
President Neff drew attention to the
lamenta BILE condition of the mining in
dustry of this state six years ago, when
the yield of gold was at a low ebb and in
one branch of gold mining Nhe hydrau
lic) was practically destroyed. Then
came the California Miners association
with its enthusiastic energy and Its CO.
operative determinatio The state
legislature responded to its appeals and
congress lent willing ear. The world
once more learned of our marvellous
mineral resources and capital hastened
to make investment in California mines.
Today the mining industry Of California
is better known, better understood and
is attracting more favorable attention
than for quarter of a century past.
President Neff then stated that cor
diality and good feeling existed between
those in charge Of the State Miners as
sociation and, the executive officers OF
the Anti-Debris association of the Sac
ramento valley, and that there is no
difference of opinion regarding these
matters, leaving hope for future har-
monious action upon the hydraulic min
ing industry. Considerable progress has
been made in the important matter of
state and federal appropriation for the
protection and Improvement of the riv
ers and building dams to restrain the
coming session Of congress the federal
government may be induced to aic, by
further, appropriation lis understood
that the present conference between the
state authorities in charge of the dredge
scheme and the United States engineers
will result satisfactorily.
Mr.. Neff suggested that it would be
we'll for the association at this conven-
-, ! k1,1
hydraulic mining situation and petition
congress for further appropriation to
continue the work which the 100000 al
ready appropriated was intended to in
augurate. In conclusion he commended
those who have thus far successfully
carried on the work of the association
and urged the mining counties to re-
spond more freely to its calls for finan-
cal aid, that burden having fallen large
ly upon the merchants and, manufacture
ersof San Francisco.
President Neff's address was frequent
ly applauded and he was loudly cheered
at its conclusion.
The reports Of Secretary Julian Sonn-
tagg and Treasurer W. w. Montague
were also read and adopted, and after
appointing a committee on resolutions
the convention adjourned, until Is p. M,
in order to give that body time in which
to prepare its report.
A pleasant feature of the session was
the presentation of a handsome silver
loving cup to Jacob H. Neff, the retiring
president. who has served the associa-
tion in that capacity since its inception.
An importna question was brought out
by Colonel Keyes, who proposed that the
convention recommend the abolition of
the extra lateral right and favor law
for surface locations only. The alleged
reason for the proposed modification is
the advisabilify Of harmonizing the min
Ing laws of all the states The sugges
tion will be vigorously opposed by many
delegates who desire the continuance OF
the old California custom to let miner
follow his ledge, even though it extends
beyond the surface boundary of his To-
cation.