The San Francisco call., 1903-01-25
VALLEY MEN VICTORIOUS.
Brisk Debate in Assembly Over Hy-
draulic Mining Question.

CALL HEADQUARTERS SACRA-
MENTO, Jan. A.-The old war between
the mining and the agricultural interests
Of the State was reopened in the Assem-
bly, this morning and the valley people
emerged from the smoke Of battle the vic
tors. The mining forces were led by Sny-
der of Nevada and Seward of Downieville
while the champions for the valleys were
Johnson and Greer of Sacramento.
Threats of reprisal were made on both
sides the mining men intimating that IL
the war between the opposing forces was
to be continued the mountain men--would
oppose all appropriations for the improve
ment of the rivers.
The contest began when the Speaker
announced Snyders Assembly joint reso-
luton No to be before the House for
adoption as amended in the Committee
on Mines and Mining. The resolution re-
cites that millions of dollars Of placer gold
deposits have been rendered valueless by
DEGREES of the United States courts and
resolves:
That our Senators be instructed 10
operate with our Representatives, who are
earnestly requested to cause to be inserted
in the river and harbor bill of the present
session item making appropriation d.
recting the chief OF the engineer corps OF the
United States army to appoint a commission
OF Government engineers, whose duties 1t shall
be to investigate hydraulic mining along the
watersheds of the Bear and American rivers
permanent restraining dams, to be connected
with dlverting canals for the purpose of per-
mitting the resumption Of hydraulic mining
claiming OF the tu1e lands adjacent to said
rivers. Any reports heretofore made under
the direction of the Government 10 be made
part OF the report OF the commission ap-
pointed. in far as they may conform to the
purposes outlined.
The following amendment proposed by
Johnson was adopted a few days ago
without objection
Provided that any plans or estimates sub
mItted by the engineers shall insure absolute
and permanent protection to navgable chan
nels and to lands and all property interests uf
Of iDiry tbroueb such Tesu1ption of hydrauIe
mining and from further pollution of the rivers
of the valley by clay. mud or other material
resulting from such mining operations.
When the amendment reached the ears
of the hydraulic miners they besieged
Seward and Snyder with telegraphed
warnings concerning the clay and mud
Joker in the amendment. and Snyder this
morning moved to strike out the words,
"and from further pollution of the rivers
of the valley by clay, mud or other ma
terial resulting from such mining opera
tons.
This brought Johnson to his feet in
cloud of sarcasm. He said
I don't think it a good plan for the noun
tains to precipitate a conflict between the
mountain and the valley people We don't
want to fight, but If you do we are ready to
take II UP. | submitted the amendment to
Mr. Snyder before l introduced 1t and he
agreed-but member objected. 1 voted
for the appropriation of money to build re
straining dams, but 1 don't think it's right
for the mountain men TO come here asking
everything and giving nothing.
Snyder denied that the miners desired
a conflict. The resolution did not carry
a request for an appropriation, he said,
but a request that Congress should look
into the matter. Johnson's mud and clay
amendment he characterized as unfair,
because the natural wash from the noun
tains will bring down clay and mud.
Seward expressed his regret that the
unpleasant matter had been reopened. He
added:
In all the litigation we have had during
these many years never until now nave l
heard the valley people contend Tor clear
water. They have always contended that they
wanted to keep back the heavy material L
voted in favor of the bill appropriating $500,
900 for dredgers to take care of the rivers. III
they want clear water II means the stoppage
of our hydraulic mines and even our quartz
mines. and that the people of yonder noun
tains must move out and turn the whole ceun-
try into a sheep pasture. Engineers nave
shown that II is possible TO keep out this
heavy material, but we never can keep back
this fine matter that is held in suspension.
tains The ancient channels of the rivers con-
tain untold millions that are yet untouched.
If the valley people mean to depopulate our
country then let them contend for legislation
Of this character. 1t is for them down here
to take care of the mere mud that may come
down in the rivers.
A viva voce vote was taken and Sny-
der's motion to strike out was defeated
and the resolution amended by john
son was adopted.