Amador ledger. (Jackson, Amador County, Calif.) 1875-19??, 1907-12-20

watched by all who realize what has
been the drift of affair
The booms of vice president Fair
banks and speaker Cannon are ex
tremely healthy, though how they
will develop is what the most expert
enced politician can not tell. That
there will be other booms launched
is very likely and it is regarded as
quite certain that secretary of the
treasury Cortejyou will be put for
ward at some stage of the game. But
the mention of the names of cabinet
officers for the high position is hard
ly taken seriously by those who con-
slider themselves wise OF politics, for
they simply believe that any cabinet
name means only the president.
However, the situation may perhaps
clear up as time elapses, SO that there
may be clearer idea of "who's who''
in the somewhat exclusive society
composed of presidential candidates.
The Presidents message at the as
sembling of congress contained Moth
ing very startling outside of the very
remarkable recommendation that con-
gress shall make appropriations for
the campaign Expenses of the great
political parties during presidential
years. This is looked upon as an
entirely new departure in the art of
self-government.
The excellence of the work of the
department of agriculture is being
more and more appreciated, parti-
cularly in California, and those of
our peope who are interested in the
productions of the state are realizing
more and more fully its Importance.
lhe bureau of soils has been actively
engaged in its particular line of
work on the Pacific coast, and the
facts discovered and suggestions
based thereon have been of very
great value to all producers. Com
mercial and agricultural organizations
are alive to the bearing of these in
vestigations on the prosperity of
California, and are on the watch for
new directions in which the energy
of the bureau of soils may be direct
ed.
lhe Stockton chamber of commerce
has Eeen specially impressed with the
promptness and efficiency of the work
of the bureau IN that part of the San
joaquin valley. and has thought itself
more than justified in suggesting that
the appropriations for this service he
increased so the scope of the work
may be enlarged. 1t has therefore
prepared and sent to Washington
memorial to congress asking that
more liberal allowance be granted to
the department of agriculture, and,
particularly, to the bureau of soils.
This will he presented to the senate
by senator Perkins, who will ask that
it be referred to the committee on
agriculture, and will endeavor to Sc
cure an increase in the appropriation
for the purposes mentioned
The pinch of the existing money
stringency is felt in the most unex-
pected places. Apparently no class
of people is exempt. Communications
to members of the delegation. from
different parts of California show
that the holders of mining claims are
not exempt, and they are now asking
for relief The Los Angeles chamber
of mines has, forwarded to senator
Perkins resolutions suggesting con
2ressiolal action, waving during the
year 1907 and 1908 the provisions of
the mining laws requiring the perfor-
nance of assessment work on all
mining claims.
This seems to be necessary, as the
impossibility of raising money to
prosecute the prescribed work will in
many instances lay claims open to
jumpers" who would thus steal the
results of the labor of the original
locators.
During previous periods of string
ency action of this kind was taken,
and there is little doubt that congress
will now take similar action. A
well-known firm of lawyers IN San
Francisco, Thoroughly conversant with
the needs of our mining population,
has prepared a bill covering this
point and has submitted it to senator
Perkins, who has introduced it in the
senate, and will work for its passage.
The growing coastwise commerce of
California, particularly of the ports