The San Francisco Call. Newspaper, November 11, 1896, Page 1

‘ . - joran, VOLUME LXXX.—NO. 164. SAN FRANCISCO, WEDNESDAY MORNING, NOVEMBER 11, 1896. PRICE FIVE CENT UALIFORNLA GOLD MINERS MEKT | L Representatives Are Here From All Parts of the State. SOME NEW LEGISLATION - RECOMMENDED. Important Opinion Handed Down by the Attorney-Gen- : eral. ‘A QUESTION AS TO LEGALITY OF CONTRACTS. Important Report Off red by the Com- mittee on Legisiation and Suggestions Mads. Cassasa’s band played *‘‘The Arkansas Traveler,” “The Belle of the Mohawk Vale,” end other old-time airs redolent of the American prairies, as the Miners’ State Convention filed into Oda Feliows’ Hall yesterday morning. It was fortunate that the music was there, for the air was damp and chill be- cause of the drizzly weather outside, and | the hall was as gloomy as a cavern. Even the lighting of the gas chandelier on the stage would have emphasized the gloom were it not for the music, which drove away the darkness, the dampness, the rheumatism, the malaria and the other demons of the air which guard the hidden treasures of the goid mines from the hardy miners of California. This was so unmistakably the case that | when the band failed to make its appear- ance at the opening of the afternoon ses- sion it was found necessary to light nearly all the gas jets in the hall. It was a represeniative body that as- sembled yesterday morning. While the | .majority of the delegates were miners, there was a plentiful sprinkling of lawyers | and millionairs, for every one knows that wealth produces litigation ana that Cali- fornia gold mines produce millionaires. Mr. Neff, in calling the coavention to order, said: 1 congratulate you and the eause of the min- ing industry upon the fourth assembly of the annual convention of the Calitornia Miners’ Association. ed 10 see so many of | you here, It proves that interest in this asso- | ciation is not lacking, but increasing, and it only remains to us o be true to ourselves and 10 the inierest thal we are advocating that the grealmining industry of this coast wil. come .o the foresud that it ls, as it hasbeen, one of | the leading industries to carry on the prcse perity ol this great State. | Chairman Neff appointed the following | commitiee on credentials: Judge Ira H. ' Reed of Calaveras, J. 8. McBride of Ne- | vada, E. C. Voorheis of Amador, E. C. | Loftus of Tuolumne, Colonel George Stone of 8an Francisco, T. J. Nichols of Placer, James O'Brien of Yuba, Colonel N. E. Pickett of El Dorado and .L. F. B of Sierra. A recess was then taken until 2 p. M. The first business aiter recess was the report of the committee un credentials, us sollows, whicki report was adopted and. 451 delegates were declared entitied to seats | on the floor: | ‘Nevada County—J. 8. McBride, R.C. Wal- rath, Fred Zeitler, W. F. Englebright, M. Bates, J. Rector H. Lane, George | man, George C. Fisher, George E. | il D. Maton, J. M. , C. 3. Brand, Charles | H , 'J. H. Northway, Niles Martin, Danl Ni C. Schuster, MeGall, J. T. Joseph Fetz, Gus | r ke, Fred Searl C ! . Wadsworth, N Walrath, Mat { Tautpnaus, F. | C. Jepsom, L. J. H. Heiwig, W Curnow, Dauiel Cof son, Thomas P J. Daw’ Alfred Tregidgo, H. G. Parsons, W. F. C. E. Clinch, Robert Walker,” Arthur Foote, Joseph Weissbern, Samuel’ Granger, J. L. Lakewman, John Glas sow, L.E. Phillips. M. E. C._Culler, John Eddie, T. H. Willie m, George D. McLean, George Mainhart, D. B. Marsick, . J.P. Male William Canip: forgan, George Fletcher, Jam . Sproul, J. F. Kidder, M. (. kart, James Bennalieck Sr., Wi ge, R. Linder, Goodwin, L.J. . C. D. Eastin, H! er, G, Ozaili, C. Pench, O. Woebler, E. J. de Sobla, C. L. Miller, R. A. Thomas. % - Placer County—Thomas Richard, John Lan. ders, P. C. Secar, Wiiliam Rea Sr, Dr. B B, Brewer and J. W. M. McCall, of Forest Hill 3. P. Burchard, S. B, Vail, F.J. Horswell aud | T. G. Downing, of Rocklin; Charles D. Ajers | and L. S. Moffith, of Bath; M. Sprague, H. Simons, M. R. Gleeson, D. A. Russell. John Pri Papa, Fravk Papa, T. Mcl Benjamin ’ Ps:. G. W. Cross, F. J. Adge .\‘eymou:‘ aterhouse, cf Iowa Hili; C. G. Kershner, G. R. Cowsn, Harold T. Power, St. C. Ny George Coover, John W. Clark, John A. Fergu: gon and F. E. Coiburn, ot Suuny South; M. T. Lawrence, F. i. Bell, Jobn Adams, J. M. Ful- weiler and Charies F. Reed, of Aubtrn; Jas. L. Gou'd, J. E. Doolittle, John Nicholls, Loui Teizlaff and Cbris Runckel, of Duich Flat; Morris Lobuer, Henry Disque, Ivan H. Parker, W. A. Edinger and Henry Lobner, of Coifax; Allen Towle, Andrew Roager, Joseph Dixon and William Rodger, of Alta; William Rule, D, M. Kentand M. Morgan, of Mavflower mine’ F. Chappeliet Jr. and Thomas Crosby, of Eu. réka mine; G. 8. Sanborn and_Charles’ E. Ma. son, of Yankee Jim: Charies P. Hoffman and W. W. Truesaell, oi Red Point; Robert Jones | and join C. Boggs of Newcasile; Charles A. ced and Lorenzo Pillar, of Ophir; G. C. Hep- Pt A . Moody of (ifmsx""'p Plumas County—A. B. White, D. H. Birdsall, £ W Cheney, G. P. Cornell, J. . Roberts. san Diego County—T. E. Aubury. san Francisco County—8. K. Thornton, Sam- uel J. Hendy, J. M. Wright, Niles Searls, L. F. R-ichling, Louis Sioss, C. W. Cross, Jjuiian nntag, | Andrew Carrigen, A. J. Ralston, nomes R. Church, E. A. Be.cher, Louis Glass, Gharles G. Yale, ~amuel G. Backus, T. J. Par- son, Louis Janin, J. L. Leonard, George Stone, A.F. C. Hasson, F. A. Huntington, 1. J. Hal- W. W. Montague, George Goodman, George C, Sargent, B. D. Pike, Henry Pechoir, George Johnston, George W. Tomb, Alfred Holman, Calvert Meade, F. W. Edelston, Jacob Frowenield, Ross E. Brown, Edward Coleman, John C. Co.eman, Charles Barber, Wakefield Baker, Captain W. F. Mills, Squire Mooney, Charles Allenberg. Francis Smith, A. Foor- man, Toomas Lally, J. O’B. Guan, Hugh wsom, D. E. Hayes, D. E. Miies, Thomas Kir! trick, Char.es Watt, A. Mc- Laugniin, 8. H. Tacy, J. Bermingham. San Bernardino County—F W. Edelsten. Santa Barvara County—J. B. Treadwell. Santa_ Clara County—Charles C. Derby, Robert R. Ba.more, E:lard W. Carson, Richard Pearce, Tnomas Wadey. Sierra Cou.ty—J. {1 Harper, Charles P. Gale, Paul Meroux, H. W. Orear,J. W, Orear, H.H. Squire, John Scott, 8, Purdy, Frank R. Wene, kd. F."Wehe, Tirdy L. Ford, Lews E. *iugton, Louis Rosenteld, Mason W. Mather, #. 0. Jones, E. A, Miley, F. W. Page, James Mc- Gregor, G. H. Campbell, W. F. Hanly. A. B. Mouider, Claude T. Hamilton, P. Van Clief, J. Copelund, A. J. Moroux, Stanley A. Smith, J. A Vaueh, J. F. Cowdery, Danfei P. Cole, M. H. Mead. Henry Kingdon, A. Westll, Julian Sonniag, Andrew Cariigan, Thomas Kirkpatrick, 8, ngm Sr.,W. F. bacher, John Costa, W.J. Holmes, Tiomas H. Cross: | Craig, J. J. N | Gray, Thomas E. Haven, J. H. Hickox, W. | F. Faraher of Yreka, A. H. Bar of Cailahans, | lin, E. F. Holbrook, John McQuaid, W. W. | Chami 5 | and Joseph Dentel of Smartsville, O. C. Mayo | | David Gutman, J. yington | A Group of Prominent Mining Men and Others Interested in the Industry. Sketched in the Convention Hall 1—J. E. Doolittle. 2—Robert Vandercook. 3—Judge C. W. Cross. ey, Y et Yesterday. 4—Senator E. C. Voorheis, 5—R. M. Clarken. 6—Colonel S. W. 8-Judge J. M. Walling. COVENTION T0 GONSULT AN T0 THEIR INTERESTS Backus. 7—Judge Niles Searls. man, James S. Wiggins, P. R. Gardner, J. M. Haven, I. T. Mooney. George D. Gray, Giles E George, G. W. Hughes, C. C. Mclvor, Henry Rosenfeld. Siskiyou County—Robert Nixon and James ‘%llj of A. G. Myers and Martin C. Beer of Fort ores. Yuba County—W. R. Meek of Comptonville, J. C. Campbell of Brownsville, James Nelson of Oregon House, Daniel Cettins of Dobbins House, Wiliam Jeffards oi Browns Valley, | Otto Woehler of Spencerville, G. M. M. Ross of s Valley, James O'Brien, Thomas Com~ Jain, Louis’ Comath C. Durham of Comptonyille. Alameda County—J. S. White, W. R. Thomas T. W. Jeftres, A. H. Ricketts, S. B, Christy. J. Benjamin, George Burbeck, W. E. Hale, Taggari, H.'G, Blaisdel, Dr. Kay Smith Chapyélet, Mark Webber, Charles G. Yale, C. Ralston, E. C. Lofius, E. ‘ Chiliing, obert McKil Amador County—3L. rington, C. E. Roberts, F. Keeney and John B, gan, John B . McDonad, C. E. John R. Tregioan, W. Tregloan, of Amador ty ; E. G. Voorhies, Morris Brinn, John Ross, W.E. Downs, §. sight, J. H. Tibbets, Wm. Castle, W. J. McGee, Jonai Tregloan, Jackson | W. C. Ranaall and W. R. Thomas of | W. F. Detert, John F. Davis, | . Dye, A.'Caminetti, John | ‘right, L. F. Reichling, Colonel Ranlett, A’ Freeman,John H. Mclntyre, | s and Mr. Sargent, of Jackson; | n, Dr. Thomas Boyson and W. | T. Jomes, of Plymouth; 3 A Thomas ‘W. Jeffers of | McWayne and J. B heeler and rove; P. Clutes and A.C Voleano; frank Frates ana J. W. Surks lone. Butte Count; of Oroville. Calaveras County—Ira Hiil, Richard Parker, | W. H. Clary, A. J. Brooks and Sem E. Red- | ol L. y—W. E. Duncan and A. Ekman, | mond, of San Ana rensJ; T.T. Lane and W. C Ralston, of Angels: Burleson, of Mok Railroad; of Gwin mine; J. Burt of Giencoe; L. F. Shep heard of Robinson’s Ferrs. Ei Dorado County—. Crawford, N. E. | Pickett, Thomas Clark, J.M. Brown, G. H. Burnbum, J. F. Lanz, C.N. Weatberwax, W. 5. Mery, E. Bind, Max Mierson, M. Varazza, W C. Root, J radicy end L. D. Greater, of Placerville; A. H. Tenbroeck 0f Georgotown D.W. Hor&an and A. Blanc of El Dorado; O. 8. Buckbee, F. W. Williams and G. W. Harvey, of Shingle Springs; D. H. Jackson of Diamond; A.A. Wood of Newton; E. W. Chapman of Greenwood; W. k1. Husband of Kelsey. Los Angeles County—F. W. Edelsten. Chairman Wolff read his address, as follows: » J. Mcsorley and Mr. | E. C. Loftus of Messiuger, | iners and Members of the Conven- assemblage of ihe representatives of the mining industry of Californie, entirely uunpolitical and non-partisan in its cheracter, is onme of great importance, not only to this State itself, but to all others where precious- metal mining is carried on. Circumstances sorced us to take thelead in California ia form- ing the first Miners’ Association in the United States, entirely free from all questions relating to labor troubles, or strikes, or wages, and de- | voted solely to the general interests in mining and the remedying of such existing evils as were detrimental (o the industry. | Itis true that the original purpose of the organization was to endeavor to rehabilitate hydraulic mining in our own State, bu: it was soon realized that the objects of the associa- tion must be broadened, and in so widening the scope of our work we were enabled o ac- complish objects of general benefit to all miners, whether pursuing their occupation in | California or other Siates of the Union. In this way we were in & position to demand and Teceive the assistance before Congress of the representatives {rom other mining States, through which means more has been accom- plished than had we carried on our work single handed. Within the past two years another Miners’ Association, similar to ours, hes been placed on a working basis in the Northwestern States, including Oregon, Washington and Idaho, and our f-liow-miners in thote regions are pre- pared to co-operate with us and assistin carry- ing out any proposed measures. With the backing of these thousands of miners forming these associations. we are in a position 1o Teceive & respectiul hearing before Congress or the Legislatures, witn some reasonable ex- pectation of having what we ask granted. Beiore the formation of this association the individual miner was left to his own resources. No matter how much cause of complaint he might have had, or under what injustice he might be suffering, his single-handed efforts before the courts, the Legisiature, the land offices or Congress, were scarcely beeded, and he could accompiish nothing. One man fight- ing for relief from obnoxions laws or depart- ment rulings, and demanding a change, would not be recognized as representing an 10dustry; but when ail of the class identified with tha industry band together in &« common cause and through these representatives demand relief, the department. the Legislature and Congress itself must listen to their appeals and give consideration to their requests, Under these circumsiances the Americen people, who are more powerful than tnese bodies of their own creation, will make themselyes heard where the cause is just, as was ours, and their influence mater.ally aids in the accomplish- ment of the desired ends. Believing as I do in the future of this or- gantzation aud s continued power jor doing good 10 the mining indusiry, I have thought 1L proper to recite as briefly as ma¥ be some of the facts connected wilh its earlier history ana formeation, since I am famiiiar with them from the fact of having had what 1 consider the distinguished honor of having beeu chosen chairman of the first meeti in Placer County, where the start wns made, and the first president of the resuited Calitornia Min- €ers’ Associalion. 4 Being about to retire to the ranks and leave the leadership in abler and younger hands, it is well to call the attention of ‘those ot you who have swelled our ranks to thousands | Herald, the idea of calling & m iners’ meeting | | tion. from a mere corporal’s guard to the condition of affairs as it was when we began,and to those persons through whose early cfforts this great association was made possible. Ir: 1891 Thomas B. Everett, a_Placer County miner, who, like some thousands of others, had been having hard_timesof it with thé closing down of the hydrau.ic imines, sug- gested to J. A, Ficher, editor of the Auburn | at Auburn, with u view of hoiding & county mincrs’ convention, and ultimately one of the miners of the whole State, 10 cousider the con- dition of the hydraulic miners and, if possibie, afford them some re ief. On the 18th of No- vember, 1891, this meeting was_held, and re- suited in the Placer County Miners' conven- tion at Auburn, November 28, 10 prepare for a Stato conventioi to be held’ on Jasuary 20, | 892. Among other things a committee was ap- pointed to issne an address to tne people of the Siate cslling aitention ie tae deplorable 4 condition of the g industry and the | mensures of relici desired. Tais important committee cousisted of Russell L. Dumn, Dr. M. Schaebel, J. M. Fulweiler, George H. Colby, J. B. Hobson, J. A. Filcher, J. H. Neff, Charles G. Yale, Dr. N Martin, D. W. Spear and A. Stevens. After two aays' work the address was issued for publication in the newspapers. It was an appeal to the people of California in bebaif of tne miners’ cause and had tue effect of crenting a favorable impression, which was borne out by the results of the State Counven- The standing executive committee of Placer County was given full power to promulgate the call and make the arrangements for the | State Convention. This committee consisted of Charles G. Yale, John B. Hobson, B.F. Hurtley, John Spauiding and myself. "It so | happened that MT. Yale, who was at that time'| editor of the Mining and Scientific Press, was | the only man from San Francisco who at- | tended the Placer County Miners’ Convention, | &nd he was placed upon the executive com- | mitiee and entrusted with organizing the work in San Francisco. It was realized that without the aid of the veople and press of the metropolis of California little or nothing could pe accomplished. It shows what the eneral feeling was at that time against hy- | grnulm miniug when it is stated that it was | only with the greatest difficully any one counld be induced to take any leading partin the | movement to rehabilitate it or give itany countenance whatever. Mr. Yale was greatly aided in bis missionary work by William C, Raiston, Robert MeMurray, Thomas B. Church | and u few others, but though many promised | support, at the first meeiing held 1o consider the subject there were only sixteen men in this great City who atiended or paid any at- tention to the matter. Just think of it, gentlemen. In a State founded on its gold mines, in & great City buiit by the go!d mines, filied \\'Hfi million- aires and merchunts who had made their for- tunes in mining, only sixteen men could be found at that time who were wiliing to come forward and lend their names and influence toward rebsbilitating a branch of the indus- try, fallen into aecadence through adverse ju- dicial decision, and which had formerly poured ten millions df doliars in new gold an- nually into the channels of trae in this City. Here was sn investment of one hundred mil- lions of dollars Iyiug idle in our midst, unpro- ductive, unused and valueless. We were not about to ask to recommence our operations on the former basis and permit our tailings to go where they wou.d—into the rivers or onto the farming lands. That time had passed, and no one recognized it more than ourselves. Poveriy, distress, loss of property, litigation and bitter controversy were hard schools of experieuce, but had been ours. Idle men, de- serted mining camps, crumbiing ditches and reservoirs, rusted pipe lines, empiy dwellings, abandoned dlgmnga and the almost depopula- tion of what had veen formerly prosperous mining seetions had brought despair to thou. sands throughout the mountains of California. Their only giéam of hope lay in a recently pub. ished report of a commission of Goveri- meunt engineers, the first favorab.e sign for years of the possibility of resumption of opera- tions in the hydraulic mining regions. They were about 10 meet togeiher 10 ask the people of the City and the State for their assistance before Congress in favor of mensures looking to the relief of this great indusiry, once so pro- ductive, now fallen into decay. "And yet what & beggarly gathering in numbers was his first meeing in San Fraucisco to inaugurate suoch a movement. It is scarcely conceivable in the light of what followed, and was discouraging in the extreme. So pitter had been the controversy on the debris question and so long continued the liti- gation that a strong prejudice existed against the hydraulic miners which was sirengtheced by their having lost the fight in the courts. The great opposing influence of the successful and poweriul Anti-Debris Association of the valleys bad fosterea this prejudice snd in- creased it. The growth in power and wealti of the agricultural interests of the State and the decadence in the mining iudustry, due greatly to the enforced closing down of these very mines, had caused many to throw their influence against the miners’ side. The press was either actively opposed (o the miner or silent regarding him snd his industry. Public opinion was Dot 1n his iavor. It was thought that agriculiure and horticulture had almost entirely supplanted the searc. for gold, and these were the reasons for the small success of our first efforts in San Francisco. But thos. who had tue work in hand were not dismayed. AS one wno was appointed a delegate from Sau Francisco 1o the State con- vention declined or jew dropped aside another was chesen in his place, until final.y the full quola was obtained. In the mouniains they were u*er to come and no man resigned, for they reelized all there was ai stake. B Final.y, on Jaauary 20, 1892, ihe first State couvention of tue miners of California was held in San Franeisco, and was an overwhelm- ing success. -There was & complete revulsion ol popular feeling. Even our oid enemies, the vailey men, held out & helping haud on be- coming convinced of the sincerity of our in- tentions and our desire to resume the mining work only where the conditions were such as 1o permit it being carried on without material injury to the navigable strexms or the iands along the banks. The resolutions and me- | Anti-Debris Associacion, was selecte: morials edopted by the convention were digni-. fied and conservative, recognizing the rights of others as well as otr own, and the speeches made by prominént men were of a nature to assure the public of & cessation of the long- continued coutroversy and an amiable settle- ment of e: ing aifferences, Care was taken in the appointment of the more important of the commi‘iees to select conservative men and to piace upon them mot only the miners but representaiives of the_valley interests as well, that there should be full and free dis- cussion of the sabjects and that both interests should heve voice in our deliberations. That the course and policy was the best was proven,| by the results obtained. As an instance may be cited the case of the commiftee on memonul charged with the duty of pr-paring a memorial to Congress, in which the hydrau.je mining situation in Cail- fornia should ' st ‘orth snd measures of re- lLief suggested i w‘;x % iant ::&m- witten pi T Ve A% DICTO rialeo R n‘hi%‘h wonld be safisfac- { tory 1o s i both mountain ant thetr differences could noc be well adjusted at that time and coniroversy instead of amily wouid result. This committee consisted of twenty- five members, miners and anti-debris men be- ing both represented. After a long aiscussion of the points involved it was finally decided to select two men, one representing each in- terest, to draft this important document, and they were left 10 themselves to do this work, the rest ot the committee retiring. Robeirt T. Devlin of Sacramento, the atiorney of the on the art of the farmers and Charles G. Yale of San Francisco to represent the miners of Califor- It was the first time in yeers that the epresen tatives of these two contending fae- tious had been brought together on friendiy terms and with & common object in view. So amicably and well was the work performed that the committee reported favorably on the memorial at once nudgne convention adopted it unanimously. It was the expression not only of the miners of Caliiornia, but o1 the farmers as well, and formed the basis for the measures of relief enacted by Congress, which once again set our ditches flowing, our giants spouting, opened our golden streams and rehabiiitated the almost dying hydraulic mining industry of Caltfornis. Unity of action and fair-mindedness achieved a victory where individual effort, controversy and litigation had failed. Of al- most equal 1mportance was the committee on resolutions, which should tell the people of the Staie what our intentions and desires were and how we expected to accomplish our nds. And, moreover, another important commitiee had 1o arrange for the permanent organization of *he California Miners’ Associa- tion. I want to recall to you here present the names of the chairmen of these three repre- sentative committees of our first convention, because so much depended on their work and because they did it so well. C. W. Cross was the chairman of the committee on resolu- tiods, Tirey L. Ford of the committee on ermanent organization and Coarles C. ‘ale of the commitiee on memorial to Con- gress. When our first convention adjourned and we organized the California Miners’ Associs tion we at once realized that we had the assistance and moral support of the people and the press of the State. We were given a backing jar beyona what was even expected. Tke Chamber of Commerce, the Board of Trade and Board of Supervisors of San Fran- cisco passed resolutions indorsing our me. morial and oar objects, ss did the Boards of Supervisors throughout the interior counties. The merchants and manufacturers of this city were wonderiully liberal in their dona- tions of neeaful money to carry on our- work, and money came from othe: aces as well. The different county miners’ associations re- sponded liberally to our call for tinancial help and the Calilornia Miners' Association was fairly and successfully launched, with public favor enlisteu in iws behalf. For these resuits we are largely indebted to the press of this City and State, for had it not viewed our efforts with favor we could not have gained popular approval. To tue editors of Culifornia the mineis of the State owe a debt_of gratitude almost beyond measure. The Mining and Scientific Press, particularly, has always been our friend. And the miners are under heavy obligations also to certain gentlemen in this association who toiled early and laie in their behalf with- out expectation or desire of reward. As your president and « member of the Various work- ing committees I know that our objects could not have been carried out without iheir active and intelligent assistance. It wouid be im- possibie to name ali who have been helpiul to us in carrving on the executive work or upoun whose advice and assistance I have so largely depended. But promindntamong them have been your secretaries, Wiiliam C. Rulston ana Julian Sonntag. Both of these gentiemen have performed & large amount of gratuitous work sociation, for which we owe them our anks. Both have been enthusiastic in behalf of the cause and tireless in their ei- foris. We have had the best of legal ta.ent to aid and counsel us in our labors, and without compensation of any kind; and I desire 10 re- turn my sincere thanks (o them for the many favors conferred on me &s your president. During our early orgamization C. W. Cross gave us most material aid in many ways sug- ested by his professional experience and gnowledga relating to hydrauiic mining and the litigation connected with it, and he con- tinues to assist us to-day. Tirey L. Ford, as chairman of the commiitee on iegisiation since we commenced our work and as our Represen tative before Congress at the last ses- sion, has been absclutely untiring in his zeal for the interests of the miners of the State. Ii is unnecessary to elaborate on his report and the valuable nformatiou it contains, for copies have been placed in the hands of each' of you. Mr. Ford’s individual work in our State Legislature has given us laws of the ul- most importance to the hydraulic miner, and hisadvice »nd assistance have been freely given on all oceasions. A. H. Rickettsdia a s {endm work for us as chairman of the Committee on | Mineral Lands as our atioraney in Washington, and ire:ly donated & large amouat of his yaiu- able time to our caunse. Among other attor-| neys who have materially aided us with their ratuitous professional sdvice areJ. M.Wright, §: A. Belcher, J. M. Walling. We should not forret ex-zovernor Markham, who, as the chief exdcutive of this State, first called the aitention of the Legislature and the people of California to the deplorable condi- tion of the hydraulic mining industry, and suggested that measures of relief be instituted. The gentleman who acted as manager of our successful mineral exhibit at the Midwinter Fair, Edward H. Benjamin, also placed us un- der lasting obligations for the use oi his name in the protests to prevent the railroad com- panies from patenting mineral lands. In the esrly days when we were struggling hard with the Caminetti act, Niles Searls, John Hobson and Robert MeMurray fought ably for us before the committees of Congress. In the collection of necessary funds we have been Eruuy aided by Samuel K. Thorutom, < ass, W. W. Moutague, Dan T. Ccle_and others. PR than auy other singie bhdv, has advinced our financtal interests, and helped bring light to many dark days with us. Among ot! active and tireless workers in_our hehalf have been Jobn McMurray, Harold T. Power, Thomas R. Church, Edward Coleman, Andrew Carrigan, 8. B. Christy, S. J. Hendy, Charles F. Hoffman, J. F. Parks, R. R. Grayson, E. C. Lottus, Heiry Pichoir, Felix Chappelet, . Hart, E. W. Chapman, W. R. Thomas and James O’Brien. Ishould be derelict in my duty did I not mention specially the very intelligent and constant services performed by one who is best known to us all as “Charley” Yale. As one of the organizers of this movement in be- balf of the miners of Calitornia, he has been one of my most valued assistants on the execn- tive and other important standing commit- tees, has never jaltered in his zeal, and never failed to do any amount of work for which we ca.led upon him. Withathorough knowledge of the subjects before us, and a ready pen, he has not only greatly assiSted us in‘the prepara- tion of numerous important documents, reso- lutions, etc., but has ably fought our battles in the public press, and helped to enlist its in- flusnce in our behalf. The conservative and successtul policy csrried out in the adminis- tration of our affairs is largely due to his ad- vice and metnod of bringing them before the public in the beginning. Iireely acknowledge my own obligations jor his valuable assist- ance in many ways, and assure you that he deserves the thanksof the Association of the Miners of California. I undertake to say that no organization has ever accompiished such important results with such small expenditure. No officer of the as- sociation has received one dollar from the treasury for professional services, nor has any o?re else connected with the management of its affairs. Being about to retire from the presidency of your association I have thought it my duty, as itismy pleasure, to recall to you the names of those more promiuent in the conduct ot its affairs in the past since I have been in a posi- tion losee and recognize the services they have performed. I de:ire (0 return my sincere thanks to all of them for the many tavors ex- tended to me as your president, and thank them also in behalf of the association, to whose success they have so largely contrib- uted. As to the future of this association I have every confidence in it. There are many measures which will be of banefit to the min- ing industry of the State which stili demand consideration ~at your hands. Prominent among them are the needs of a representative of the mining industry in the councils of the Nation, for there should be a Secreiary of Mines in the Cabinet, that our large and grow- ing interests should be guarded. Moreover, closer ‘at home, there should be in the State University, where there is already a college of mines and professors of mining, one or more representatives of the mining interests in the Board of Regents. You should continue to lend your moral support ahd influence to the maintenance of the State Mining Bureau, which is now doing useful work in behalf of the mining indusiry of the State. This institution should pe fos- tered and encouraged in every way by all of us. On our mineral iands bill in Congress let us not falter or hesitate. Public opinion 18 with s in this matter, and Congress has been “educated” on the question. The meusure cannot fail of passage. We on}iy ask that the railroad companies be prevented from acquir- ing any more mineral 1ands in this Stute, which were, by their land grants, expressiy reserved for the miners. Other lands were given them for such miueral tracis set aside, 0 they have no real cause ofvomplaint. It i3 but just that the mineral lands, set aside as the domsin for the miner and &)mpeclor, should be kept for them as intended, aud it rests mainly with this association to’ contest the false claims of the railroad companies, have the lands properiy classified and leave the mineral for the prospector of the future, for whom Congress plainly intended it. Numerous changes in the mining laws seem necessary for the protection of the miner’sin- terests and the proper conduct of his business. All such proposed amendments should be carefuily considered by your commiitee on legislation before receiving the indorsement of this association, in order that when our Tequests finw.ly come before Cougress they shall have been well thought out and properiy represeut the desires of the miners of the State. 3 We are now in a better ition to accom- plish our ends than ever before. The asso- viation is out of debt, and though we have no avaiiable funds they will ‘doubtless be forth- coming wnen the necessity arises. The miun- eral lands bill, which 1aiied of passage at the last session oi Cougress, is on file as “un- finished business” aud will come up for con- sideration at the next session in December. It can surely be passed if our members in the House of Representatives will take the mat- ter in hand promptly. The appropriation of ‘250'000 by the Stateand ol another 000 by Cougress are now available an! being expended in the improvement of the rivers and the construction of dams to prevent fur- ther eu ment of debris mnow in tne streams upon .he navigabie portions. Many hydraulic mines are now being operated un- der tne provisions of the Caminetti law, and their number is da.ly imcreasing. We have now a State Debris Commissior, which is co- operaling with the Federal commissio; » " “of S8an Froueieeo, more | eonduct of the work of rehabilitating these mines. All these things are the direct results of the efforts of this association. 1am sure that we ought to all feel somewhat proud of the resuit of our efforts in behalf of our chesen inaustry. Our experience shows that it only needed united effort to accomplish what was at one time supposed (0 be almost impossible. The public and the press, then misinformed, only needed to be intelligently told of the true condition of affairs aud what was necessary to remedy them, when their sympathies were at ouce enlisted in our behalf and we received their active assistance and influence. And gentlemen, we have been true to.our promises, We have so succeeded in conducting the hydraulic-mining business as to work no injury to any man or any interest. We have asked for no radical chengesin the law, but simply pressed the enforcement of those existing. Those for which we may ask in the future are m?)y such as exyerience § are necasssry lor the progress of the mining industry. They will interfere with no one else’s effairs in any way, and only relate to methods of conducting our own business. I have great faith in the future of the min- ing industry of California. This great inaus- is now advancing with rapid strides and ncreasing its product between two and three millious of dollars every year. Those noble mountains which overlook our great valleys and jorm the backbone of the State are daily yielding their golden treasures to the enrich- ment of us all. More still remains hidden than has ever been taken outand there is work for the sturdy miner for yearsto come. The blows of his pick will resound and re- echo through those grand old canyons and ravines long after all of us here present shall have passed from the scene of our labors. Let us hope that the work we have accomplished ard what we are to do to-day will bring re- sults from which the miner of the future will derive a benefit and cause him to pause in bis work and thank the Miners’ Association of California for what it did in his behalf. A delegate offered three cheers for Chair- man Neff, which were given with a will. On motion of Niles Searls the secretary ‘was authorized to have 5000 copies of the chairman’s address published. A telegram was received from Marion de Vries, Congrfssmun»elect from Stock- ton, regretting that business would pre- vent his attendance on the convention. ° Tirey L. Ford read the following report of his work in Washinggon: The movement for the rehabilitation of the hydraulic mining indusfry, begun with the formation of the California Miners’ Associa- tion in 1892, has steadily advanced in public opinion, aud has been favorably considered by the law-making bodies of both State and Na- tion. The toundation for ultimate success has been securely laid, and. with united and de- termined action upon the part of those most deeply interested, the final result should not be & matter of serious doubt. It should unot be forgotten, however, that the work 1s but fairly begun, and that much yet remains to be accomplished. An uniortunate antagonism still exists in certain quarters, though, happily, confined to narrow und ever- contracting limits. Our National Congress is slow to recognize the importance of the work, and is still in doubt as to the limits of its juris- diction in the premises. Added to all this the miners of California are themselves not wholly in accord as to the best means of accomplish- ing the desired results. The first matter that should engage the seri- ous attention of the California Miners’ Asso- ciation is that of agreeing upon & definite line of poiicy to be pursned by the friends of the hydraulic-mining industry in their efforts to Testore it to its rightful station among the in- dustries of California. Either the policy out- lined by the Biggs Commission and ampiified by the Caminetti act should continue to guide the association in the future asithasin the past or a new policy should be definitely agreed upon that would bribg harmony and increased energy to the cause. Asomne who has watched the cause through its various stages and has given to it a considerable de- ree of attention, your representative begs jeave 10 suggest that it would be well to eare- fully consider any pro}msed change before de- partinx from tbe policy which has hitherto uided the association, and to which Congress s in g large measure committed. With a definite_nolicy agreed upon, every energy shouid be directed to a proper present- ation of our casé at Washington, whence must come the final relief to which the miners of Calilornia are so clearly entitled. Mr. Ford added that the report of neces- sity omitted something of the details of the work at Washington. He desired to express his thanks to all those who had done valiant service toward securing the results that had been noted. Never oefore had they real zed cleariy the resuits that followed from the union of strength. It was at first a herculean task and miners had to be gathered from remote and iso- lated localities, accessible only on the hur- ricane deck of a mule, The association had reached the turn- ing point o its career. By pursuing the right methods the mining industry would pe known as it was never known belore. They had secured’ an appropriation of $250,000, unhampered by a single condi- tion, for the benefit of the hydraulic-miner and the farmer. Every member of the Calitornia delegation was entitled to the heartfelt thanks of the association. The miners’ cause had also received muany courtesies from Republicans and Demo- crats on the Congression=l Commitiee, all but two of whom opposed the appropr a- tion. Th'y were Burrett of Massachusetts and Cooper of Wisconsin, who were of the opiuion that it was purely a private af- fair, and they fought it to the very end. Tne Secretary of War had given his in- structions to the engineers, and at least $250,000 would be expended in the con- strucuion of restraining barriers in this State. The bilt relating to mineral lands of California was introduced in the lower house by Johnson of California, but the miners’ delegation were never wholly able to convince Chairman Lacy of the entire justice of their claims, but fortunately they bad some very able friends on the commiitee. Among them were Congress- man Bowers of Californin, Eilis of Oregon, Wilson of fdaho and McRae of Arkansas. Mr. Ford added that the miners owed & dett of gratitude to Senator Du Bois of Liaho, but for whose act of friendship it was & very grave question whether the bill would have ever emerged from the Commiittee on Public Lands. - Senator Pascoe of Florida, Pettigrew of South Dakota, Berry of Arkansas, Carier of Montana, were also good friends of the bill. Senators White and Perkins of Cali fornia performed some very fine parlia- mentary maneuvers in behalf of the biil. “IL seems to me,” added Mr. Ford, “that the wholesale denunciation of Speaker Reed which has been indulged in is wholly unwise and wholly unwarranted. In the first piace it is not the part of wis- dom to go with a club in your nand to the men from whom you expect favors. . “This association should appreciate that it is under a debt of gratitude to Mr. Reed. ‘When the outlook for our appropriation was the most dark, and at the time when the River and Harbor Commitiee had ac- tually voted- not io include it in their re- port, Mr. Reed gave a number of our dele- gation a hearing, and being satisfied with the justice of our cause, threw 1he whole weight of his influence in our behali to have that matter included in the river and barbor improvement bill, and to-day yon owe bim gratitude for that $250,000 appro- priation. [Applause.] There can be now 0O question as to the passage of the land bill'in the short session of Congress next month.” Mr. ¥ord read the report of the commit- tee on legislation, as foliows: To the President, Officers and Me: CaliforniaMiners Association — GENTLEME Your committee on legislation begs leave to make the following report: Your commitiee begs to refer to its report made to the association prior to its last annual convention, in October, 1895. Since that time there has been no meeting of the Legislature of this State. The Fifty-iourth- Congress, however, met in regular session in December, 1895, ard con- tinued in session until June, 1896. - Your com- mittee, acting under instructions from the association, presentea to Congress four meas- ures for the consideration of that body. These measures were: L A bill intended to reduce the penalties pro- vided for in the so-calied Caminetti act, being officially entitled : “A bill 10 amend an_act entitled ‘An act to create the California Debris Commission and regulate hydraulic mining in the State of Cali- fornia.’ Approved March 1, 1893, by amend- ing section 22 thereof.” * bid A bill to amend the Federal mining laws, with particuinr reference to the manner of lo- cating, holding and working mining claims, and tne transier of contests as to the agricul- tural or mineral character of land from the land offices 10 the local eourts, being officially entitled; “A bill to amend chapter VI, title 32 of the Revised Statutes, relating to mineral lands and mining resources.” 3 \ . A bill lobking to the segregation of the un- atenied mineral lands- within the rajiroad and grants in Cal fornia, lccally known as the mineral lands bill and officially entitled; A bill 10 proyide for the examination and classification of certain lands in the State of California.” . “A bill to appropriate money for the con- struction of works to impound mining debris and thereby to protect the navigable streams of California.” For an account of the action taken by Con- gress upon the above measures you érc re- spectfully rererred to the report rendered by your represeniative in Washington, entitled: “Report of Hon. Tirey L. Ford in relation to his services at Washington in 1896 in be- half of certain mining legislation,” which nas been printed for distribution among the mem- bers of the association. Your committee is of the opinion that with proper efforts the so-called “‘mineral lands” bill above referred to should become a law dur- ing the approaching session of Congress,which begins in December aund ends in March next. 1n addition to the work necessary to secure the final passage and approval of the above mineral lands bill, your committee deems it advisable that whatever doubts now exist as to the availability of the appropriation made by the State of California through the Legis- lature of 1893, should be removed approaching session of our State Legislature, which convenes in January next. The N: tional Congress having made an unconditional appropriation which fairly meets the terms of our State appropriation, the State can noW well afford 10 so amend the wording of its appropriation as to eliminate all conditions and contirgencies theretrom. This to your committee appears 10 be of considerable im- portance and stould engage the carnest and immediate attention of the association. Your committee jurther begs leave to renew its former suggestions that our Federal mining laws should be so revised &s to make them not only harmonious but in keeping with the changed conditions since their original enact- ment. In this behalf your committee begs leave to suggest thata work of such import- ance and magnitude should not be hastiiy un. dertaken nor left to the action of committees aiready overburdened with other work. Your committee therefore suggests that a special committee be appointed, to be kncwn as the committee upon the revision of the Federal mining laws, whose duty it shall be tu thor- oughly examine the mining laws of the United States and other mining coauntries and to for. mulate and present to the association at its next annual meeting a compiete code of Fed- eral mining laws, to be presented to Congress for action by that body. Respectfully sub- mitted, Jobn M. Wright, E. A. Belcher, A. H. Rick- etts. James S. Farraher, Grant I Taggart, Ross E. Brown, W. W. Kellog, C. H. Hofmanu, R. McMurray, D. Reid, Frank R. Wehe, Hugh Craig, 1. sons, Edward Coleman, com- mittee on legislation. The following communication was read and referred to the committee on legisla- tion: THE NORTHWEST MINING ASSOCIATION, SPOKANE, Wash., July 30, 1896, Miners' Association, San Francisco, Cal.: To the end that science and industry may be more rapidly promoted without the increase of cost the Northwest Mining Association believes that a department of mines should be Created in the Unitea Siates Guvernment as & Cabinet office, and to obtain the consensus of opinion on this subject this letter 1s addressed to the leading scientists and seientific institu- tions ot this couniry. We believe this depart- ment would promotethe mining development, should embrace mining, geology, irrigation, botany, paleontology, arch@ology, ethnole ogy, ete. The various bureaus relating to mining are scattered through several departments. Geoge raphy is a subject much neglected as are Proof 0f the pudding is in tie eating, and the wone derful cures accomplished are sufficient proof that Hood's Sarsaparilla S the best—in iact the One True Biood Purlfer B : * the best aiter- Hood’s Pills 3 i aten s MINES AND MINING. ECTUR: UPOX ABOVE SUEJECT JLLUS- 4 trated wih_stereopticon flash-li ht, etc., By MAJOR MYERS of Siski ou County, in 0Odd Fellows' Hall, ai 8 ’clock tnls evening.