Year: 1866

DISPOSITION OF TIE GOVERNMENT MINERAL
LANDs.-The report presented to the House of
Representatives by Mr.. Julian from the Com
mittee on Public Lands, brings up subject
that is of great interest and Importance in the
present heavily burdened condition Of the
country. There is no question that ii the inn
mensc area Of goid-bcaring territory ut the
disposal OF the government were regulated by
some fixed and well defined policy, there might
be derived from its sale such sums as would
contribute materially to diminish the amount
of the public debt. We will not enlarge on
the benefits that would accrue from the eXten-
sion that would be given by il to the currency
basis Of The country and to the enterprise Of
our citizens; for these considerations must be
manifest to every one. The reservation Of
lands producing the precious metals while the
government sells others containing iron, cop
per, lead and coal, is certainly strange
anomaly We have never yet heard single
good reason assigned in its favor, while in the re-
port now before Us lis mischiefs are abundantly
demonstrated. II is shown that under the
losing system of the lead and copper mines Of
Illinois, Missouri and other States not only were
the settlement and civilization OF these regions
retarded, but neither the national treasury nor
The miner was benefited. "With the sale OF
these lanGs,' says the report "a new class Of
men at once took possession Of them as the
owners OF the soil, brought their families with
them, laid the foundation, Of social order, ex
PEELED the barbarians who had secured Il tenn
porary occupancy, and thus at once promoted
their own welfare, the real prosperity Of the
country and Tie financial interest of the gov
ernmen.'


The beneficial effect OF the substitution of an
absolute title in fee for the indefinite possess
sorry rights or claims now asserted by miners
has been often urged by us. Nothing is more
calculated 10 retard the permanent improve
mcnt Of the mining regions than the un-
satisfartofy tenure under which the lands
are II present held Their wealth and
their importance to the national prosperity
10 npt Ii exclrsively in the minerals they pro-
Dues me oericultural riches OF California
viii soon more than couD,crbalance her min
eral resources 50 it will be in time with the
otlc gold-bosring regions. Tue more import
ani i therefore, that efforts should DC made
in attract to hem population not nomadic
and unsteady IL its character, but that will
strike root in the soil and develop il to the
full extent Of ts capabilities. In the bill
which has been prepared in accordance with
the recommendations of the report we are glad
10 see that the interests Of the present occupants
OF mines have been carefully protected. They
will only be required TO pay for their claims,
the costs ol survey and land office fees. This
is bus just and will disarm any opposition


that might have been got up against the
measure ln its provisions in regard TO dis
coverers and purchasers it Is equally discrimi.
mating and liberal. That it will meet very
general support from the mining interests OF
the country We are safe in anticipating.
Whether it's passage by tue present Congress
is equally sure is another question. There is
no nigger in the fence 10 connection with il.
and therefore il may not enter into the cate
CORY of favored measures. Of it's final sdop-
ton, however. there can be no doubt. Our
financial necessities are too pressing tor il 10
be lorg postponed 10 Difference 10 mere party
inruoupgs