Amador ledger., 1904-10-14
j. N. GILLETT AT
THE COUNTY SEAT


gresham of this district, and candidate
for reelection, addressed the citizens
of Jackson in Loves hall on Saturday
evening. The weather turned out very
inclement. Rain fell in torrents during
the day, and the roads we're in such a
condition that many who under other
circumstances would have been there,
were prevented from attending. Never
theless the hall was filled to its utmost
capacity, both seats and standing room.
There were fully 500 persons present.
Bonfires blazed in Main street, and
a salute was fired in honor of the con-
gressman's coming, and Jackson band
furnished music for the occasion.
The meeting was called to order by
V. S. Garbarini, president of the Jack
son republican club, who introduced
DIR. G. A. Herrick as chairman of the
meeting. The chairman made a brief
address, urging all republicans to stand
by the men who had been nominated
by tho party. 1t was time for the
party to stand pat. The campaign
button showing full hand of four aces
was fitting illustration of the repub-
lican ticket. The four aces as far as
local voters were concerned were
Roosevelt, Gillett, McKenney and
Bright. The republicans by standing
to their ticket can easily elect them all.
After naming a number of vice presi-
dents for the evening, who were called
to take seats on the platform, the
chairman introduced ]. N. Gillett
Mr.. Gillett gave an entertaining talk
for over an hour. His address was a
plain, earnest statement OF his work,
what he had done, what he had en-
deavOred to do, and what he aimed to
do if returned to congress. He said
the first district was one of vast re-
sources. Its forest of timbers. mines
of gold and other minerals, it's grain
lands, and arid lands with their vast
possibilities. demanded one who could
work on broad lines to represent the
varied interests. Last campaign he
had met the cry that a mining man
was wanted to represent this district.
He was hearing the same cry today.
The people by their verdict last cleo
tion refused to sanction such an appeal
to sectionalism. A man whe can deal
with all interests alike, and represent
the people Of the whole district fairly
and lmpartially was needed in the first
district. 1t was asked what had he
done as congressman. He had been
there but few months. He made an
effort to get on the judiciary COM
mlttee-ore of the most important
committees in shaping laws of the
nation. He succeeded in being placed
on that committee, He also put him
self in touch with the miners associa-
tlon oil this state, SO as to advance the
mining industry as far as possible. One
measure proposed in this behalf was to
remove to the federal courts any action
commenced involving the operation of
placer mine, where the party was
mining under the authority of the
debris commission, The debris act
known as the Caminetti act took
charge OF mining. But mining is still
hampered and hindered owing to
many defects of that law. Mining
Is not free. When dam is construct
ed. as soon as they start to work, a
suit is often started to enjoin work.
The North Bloomfield was case in
point. After spending large sums In
restraining dams, they were faced by
suit started in Yuba county. The dam
was a substantial affair, still an in
junction was threatened to put them
out of business after all expense
had been incurred. Now he intro
duced bill to transfer all such suits to
the federal courts. Senator Ralston
was in Washington, and addressed the
committee in favor 0f the bill. The
only opposition TO that bill in the com
mittee came from the democrats.
Every democratic member of the COM
mittee was against it. They contended
it would be an invasion OF the rights of
the state. They were from the south,
and believed in state sovereignty. No
democratic representative can hope to
bring that bill up when his own party
is against it. He proposed to amend
that act SO that mining claims distant
from navigable stream may be per-
mitted to work by hydraulic process
without the great expense of building
dams, which is now required in every
case. Many small mines are idle owing
to this draw back. You cannot mine a
piece OF ground as big as this room
without dam, and PERMIT from the
debris commissioners. This was a
hardship that prevented many mines
from working, and he was working to
change it.
He introduced bill to set apart from
the Yosemite Valley reservation a vast
tract OF land not actually part of the
valley, which was adapted for settle
ment, and In which was considerab BILE
mineral land. An Inspector reported,
and the land was to be excluded on the
understanding that they secured
unanimous consent. A congressman
from San Francisco came to him and
said he would oppose the bill. He
asked him on what grounds, and he re-
piled that he had not studied the bill,
but he had received q letter. from
whom he would not say, asking him to
object, and he would do So This con-
gresham was a democrat. He OBJ
Jeoted to the improvement of land in
California.
There is much arid land in this con-
gressional district. He has been work
ing to have surveys made, and reports
thereon, to improve this land.
He introduced bill to appropriate
$500, 900 to construct dams. Also bill
setting aside the Calaveras big trees as
park. Also to station a life vessel off
Cape MendOcinO. This has become a
law, and the vessel for this purpose is
now coming round the Horn.
He was one Of a committee of three
to 60 south to Florida to investigate
charges of impeachment preferred
against federal Judge there.
| Mine owners and mine workers are
behiud him and with him in this con-
test, and are going to return him to
congress. They realize that one who
is in harmony with the majority can