Year: 1859

Oonatlon OF the Mineral Lands.


Mr.. +. M. Pixley, of San Francisco, on
the 7th instant, gave notice that he would
Introduce into the Legislature of this
State, joint resolution, asking Congress
to cause the mineral lands to be surveyed,
located and sub-divided into small Sec
tlons, and that the same be donated to the
actual occupants in such a manner as not
to interfere with their present possession,
and under such restrictions as will pre-
vent the monopoly of these lands by CAP
ltallsts. The measure has a two-fold OBJ
ject: First, to give the miner fee SIM
pie to his possessions, thereby creating
permanent homes and secure property
throughout the mines; and second, to
give to the Legislature Constitutional
power to equalize our State revenue sys-
tenn, in such manner that all the valu
able property in each county will contrib
ute Its pro rata of taxation


If the main consideration in such
measure, can be made secure, to wit
the prohibition of capitalists and sharpers
from monopolizing the mineral lands by
fraud or strategy, it would doubtless have
most salutary influence on the future
prosperity of the State. No project
could contribute so generally and promptly
to the improvement of society and to the
solid interests of the mining Districts
The moment our present transitory and
restless tenants at will, who compose the
entire population of the mines, receive
assurances that they can maintain the
title to property, the entire social and po-
litical machinery of the State will expe-
rience favorable change. Men do not
labor for themselves alone, but for poster
ity and the common good Here, under
existing circumstances, the latter incen-
tives do not operate with their full force.
And as to State pride, with most of our
people, it is only fitful impulse, and not
as it should be, settled principle, arising
from that universal and natural love of
country which home inspires. Men who
have no secure homes, will seldom be
found so solicitous about the welfare of
society around them - about schools,
churches and morals - as those who are
settled permanently. We grumble at the
prodigality of public officials and VIC
ceaselessly denounce the ignorance and
venality of our politicians; yet little re-
Election convinces the understanding that
our political embarrassments have their
origin farther from the surface than the
demagogues swim. The trouble is from
the people themselves, who cannot be
persuaded that their interests in Califor-
mia are of such lasting importance as to
demand that " constant vigilance which
we are told is the "price of liberty and
incorruptible government. Give the peo-
pie homes to shelter them, and patriotism
and interest will both prompt the main
'tenance of good government.


We do not suppose that one-ffth of the
working-men in the mines would oppose
an equitable disposition of the mineral
lands in fee, upon the basis MIR. Pixley
proposes = securing their ownership in
small lots to the actual pcssessors If
they could be guaranteed against monop-
olists, who always fatten on the poor
mans necessities. But how shall this
be accomplished? is the question that
yexes the statesman. Whoever solves it
will entitle himself to universal gratitude
He will be to California what De Witt
Clinton was to New York.