The Seattle post-intelligencer. [volume] (Seattle, Wash. Terr. [Wash.]) 1888-1914, 1898-08-08

Inc canadian and BrftlSh miners u the
Klondike have commenced fight against
the arbitrary mining rules and regula-
tons imposed by the Canadian govern
ment. Assembled in mass meeting in
they met. drafted resolutions and prepared
memorials, which are now being passed
around the district for Signatures. The
resolutions are very emphatic, demand
many changes and give good reasons for
the request. Among the regulations that
the government Is asked to revoke is the
ore imposing a 10 per cent. royalty on the
output OF the mines.
The movement had It's start at a Do
minion day dinner given at Dawson, at
which Judge MCGUIRE presided. 1t was a
great dinner, according to the accounts
given OF it by miners who returned on the
Alliance. Mai Walsh was the only prom
inent Canadian who was not present But
three or four Americans attended. There
We're toasts galore. and this was what
rounds had been made, some Of the miners
proposed a toast TO the mining regulations.
An Old miner replied. but with such Bit
terness that the Canadian officials present
were Offended and threatened to leave the
hail. The matter was hushed up at the
time but the call for the meeting was
soon issued.
At this meeting 1t was proposed that the
unofficial acts Of the government employees
on the Yukon and the robberies they are
said 10 have committed should be investi-
gated. 1t was decided, however, that the
change OF the mining regulations should
be looked after first. /, was also decided
thae Inc Americans keep in the back
ground, except in signing the resolution.
A copy OF the resolutions, as prepared
by the committee and unanimously passed
by the meeting, was obtained by a Post
inteiligeneer reporter and is as follows:
Whereas, 1t is evident that the me-
moran presented by the depufa:ion sent
out last winter by the miners of the Yu-
koh district tailed to impress upon the
government the necessity of amending the
and.
Whereas. 1t cannot be disputed that
the application of the present laws ha =
had the effect of almost paralyzing the
mining Industry, and that a continuance
OF the present regulations would result in
the most disastrous effects next winter
proven by the fact that a large ma iori.y
OF the best claims were either worked at
very small profit In many cases, or at
loss. and that after that experience most
OF me nine owners have decided to sus-
pend operations on their claims. other than
Will De necessary 10 hold them; and
whereas The sentiment OF the public
is unanimous that an immediate change in
the regulations IS necessary Il has been
deemed expedient to present the following
resolutions before a meeting of the people
o. the Yukon that their voice on the sub
Ject should be embodied in a memorial tc
government nv ~,
teresttd:
"First-That no timber limit be issued
TO any individCal or company on a creek
where timber may be necessary for the
use aud Development of mines
Second-That should a free miner lose
ms certificate he should be able TO sub
81 hne. ne same II airy office that may
Thira-That placer creek Gains be en-
larged III length 10 800 feet as heretofore.
and that the limit in breadth be that OF
mes running along the rim rock parallel
70 the general course of the stream and
which Is at every point four feet above
high-water mark Of the stream.
fou"th-That TO clause u OF the mining
regulations he added the words, and NUM-
Der Ct certificate
"Fifth-That a discoverer or discoverers
ne allowed one claim as a bonus. and the
ore ful! claim as heretofore
SiNtn-Th3t clause - be modified ow-
ing 70 KS lmpractfcahility under the cir
tLtitStdActS ana the possibility IL affords
OF tetrauding the miner on final stakes
Seventh-That clauses 20 and 81 be alb
Soluteiy abolished. on the ground that the
ROYALTY is unjust and paralyzlng in its
ELECT on the industries of this cotIntrv
fdghth-That their attention is called 70
the great extent Of some of the districts
no!ceably Stewart and White rivers
NiEth-That the words In clause 81 'on
which. however. The royalty prescribed by
these regulations be payable be eradl-
Gated.
''Tenth-That clause 20 he strictly en-
forced preserving tire rights Of prospectors
10 enter on any claims vacant through
misrepresentation. and that clause he
inserted that a miner be- permitted to
abandon his own claim and IN stake in
the same district on giving satisfactory
proof to the gold commissioner or recorder
that his claim is worked out or cannot be
wo~lfHi at q profit.
"Eleventh-That a company or miner
owning two claims or more adjacent be
allowed 10 consolidate the labor on one
Gain. for The representation required by
The regulations
"Thirt eenth-That a memorial eulhodv-
ing these resolutions be drafted for the
signature Of all interested. ard A copv az
the same he presented by deputaiion 70
Mai Walsh and anothe- transmitted 10
the leader Of tho ara1DStf inn. IN,