The San Francisco Call. Newspaper, November 12, 1896, Page 1

"VOLUME LXXX._NO. 165. GOVERNOR BUDD 4ND CONGRESSMAN BARHAM ADDRESS THE MISERS [N CONVNTION Services of Tirey L. Ford | Rewarded With Free Silver. ! SENATOR WHITE SENT HIS REGRETS, And Expressed the Hope That Reed of Maine Would Change. BIG DAMS WILL BE BUILT AT ONCE. Recommendaticns That Will Be (;f Great Help to the Mining Ia. dustry in This State. - The work of the convention of the Caii- fornia Miners' Association was finished vesterday afternoon, the second day of the session. i The association indorsed the logic of | the civil service system by re-electing all | its officers. They had done their duty faithfully and well, and the association thought wisely that it would be better to | retain good servants, familiar with the | work, than to take on green hands. | Governor Buda and Congressman Bar- | ham addressed the convention and gave | ‘it words of hope, the Governor afnnounc- ing that the $500,000 appropriated jointly by ate Legislature and Congress expended in the construction of aining the debris from raulic mines, all the legal technical ifficulties having been cleared away by mendment to the act of Congress. e Governor remarked incidentally that he would retirg to private citizenship after the expiration of his present term of office, and that he did not intend to run for office again, Senator White sent a letter apologizing for not attending the convention, on the ground of pressure of business, and inti- mating that Thomas B. Reed of Maine | was opposed to the mining bill now before Congress. The most pleasant event of the day was the presentation to Senator Tirey L. Ford of un elegant silver set and china dinner . serviceasa testimonial of esteem and of gratitude for services rendered by him in " Wasbington on behalf of the miners of this State, and for which services he re- fused to accept any compensation what- ever. | After Chairman Neff had called the| meeting to order Judge C. W. Cross of | Nevada, chairman of the committee on ! { | i order of business, presented his report. The following from the Labor Commis- sioner was read: e noticed in the columns of the Mining | tific Press au article suggesiing the | by our Legisjature of sént mechanics’ lien furnishing Jabor and | on, development and | ing properties may be | therefore beg leave 10 | the ‘last year many com- | filed with me basea upon | ay by minérs who have not been cied, and I sincerely hope that some action may be taken by the Miners’ con- vention toward recommending an amendment of this eharacter to the Legislature, As the miners’ convention reprasents the gombined mining interests of our State I feel that such a recommendation will meet with be hearty approval of the legislators, and re- in unmeasured benefit to those interested. usting that the ¢ ntion 1n_its wisdom ke this action I have the honor to very truiy, ERALD, Lebor Commissioner. Eugene F. Loud sent in . L. FITZ Congressman the jollowing communication: In reply to your kind invitation to be pres- a me ent o ing of your association on the 1suy that I shall make an effort u, but if I fail I can assure you | in the future that 1 shail endeavor by all hon- | i orable means further the interests of ail legitimate projects you may advocate, as I think I have done in the past. : United States Scnator Stephen M. | ‘White sent a communication to Secretary | Sonntag, of which the followingisa copy: | Yours of the 4th inst requesting me to be | yresent at the convention of the Cu]“ornm‘ Miners' Association which will convene in San Francisco November 10 2t 10 4 M, re- | ceived. It would afford me much pleasure to | meet you and to coufer with the association * regarding legislation pending in Congress and with reference to their interests generally, but | 1 have been absent from my business 80 long and must depart for Washingion so shortly | that Iam forced to stay here for the present. The position of the mineral lands biil in the House is very critical, and uniess Mr. lakes & different view of the s afraid we wiil not be able to get everal members of the delegation who reside in or near San Francisco will, no doubt, be at vour convention and ean expiain if necessary the situation fully, although i believe that you are thoroughly advised with reference thereto. Senator Ford is cognizant of the facts and will be able 10 adequately explain the diffi- cuities surrounding us. 1 have only to add that I will continue my best exertions to- wards advancing what I deer to be your rea- sonable demands. Yours very truly, STEPHEN M. WHITE, Professor Fairbenks of tke State Mining Burean read a long paper on the coal, oil, building-stone and mineral-water resources of this State. On motion of Judge Belcher thanks were exiended to the professor ior his vaiuable d exbaustive paper, d the secretary was instructed to bave printed 1000 copies of the address for distribution among the members of the Legisiature. Judge C. W. Cross said the opinion of the Attorney-General read yesterday need cause no alarm among miners. e had carefully studied the opinion and found toat it merely went to declare that the DebrisCommissioner had no power to make contracts jointly with the United States « Commission, but he had fult power to contract and pay for the construction of work performed by the State. The intent of the law was to preyent the United Btates from being entangled in the matter in any way. £ _ He'said 1hat the people of California, ‘both miners and farmers, bad implicic confidence in the work of the United States engineering board; for whatever else might be said about some other de- partment of the Government, 00 scandal Lad ever been breathed against that bu- Tean. In order thatjthe Debris Commis- tion might know what its duties were he Lad propared the following resolution: Resolved, That a committee of three be ap- pointed whose duty it shall be to confer with ihe Caitiornia Debris Commission, the State Lebris Commissioner and the "Attorney-Gen- erelin regard to the construction of the de- bris dam, said committee to be under the di- rection of the executive committee. On motion of Judge Walling the rules | affords me. [ @ @ A Group of Brainy Representatives of the Mining Industry as They Appeared in the Convention Vesterday. 1—J. A. Filcher. 2—Judge Belcher. 3—Colonel George A. Stone, 4—Senator Tirey L. Ford. 5—Daniel Cole. 6—W. C. Ralston. 7—Charles G. Yale. were suspended and the resolution was adopted. Chairman Neff extended the thanks of the convention to E. H. Benjamin, W. C. Ralston, Edward Coieman and Professor Christy, the commitiee on_the mineral exhibit at the Midwinter Fair, for the excellent service they had rendered the | interest in her husband’s weifare. In her miners of this State on that occasion. W. C. Ralston of the committee on mineral lands read the following report: Owing to the failure of iniroduced-in Congress, which was preparcd ¥ your committee on legislation, prayiug for the appointment of a commission 1o be ap- assage of the bill pointed by the President of the United States ta | segregate the lanas in the State of California within the railroad granis as to their mineral or non-mineral cnarscter, we have had no du- | ties to perform whatsoever, therefore have no report of progress. Ira Hill Reed of Calaveras offered the foliowing: ‘WHEREAS, Transportation fecilities are of paramount importance for the success of ali road system of tais State is entirety yussiisfac- tory aud totally insnfficient for the successful development of our mineral resources; there- fore ve it Kesolved, Tnat this convention heartily in- dorses the movement for good roads as ev. denced by ihe creation of the State Roads Commission, and we ask for immediate legis- | 1ation for the betterment of our public high- ways. The most pleasant feature of the day’s session was observed shortly before the noon recess. It was tbe presentation to Tirey L. Ford of an elegant and valuable | silver service and a dinner set ot fine china. The presentation was 1n the nature of a surprise. Chairman Neff, during a Iull in the pro- ceedings, called Mr. Ford to the platform, and when that gentleman arrived there 1o | relieve the chair, as he thought, Mr. Neff addressed him as follows: “Mr. Ford, yesterday, by a unani- mous vote of this convention, you were given an ovation of which any man migint be proud. You have faithfully, honesily and conscientiously discharged every duty which has been imposed upon you by this | ney-General. organization. The action of yesterday speaks louder than any language that I could use on this occasion. It came spon- | taneously from every gentieman on the floor. “There is no one that has realized what you have done better than the members of the executive committee and myself. Recognizing the great services which you have rendered us, I am proud to be the happy medium through which this testi- monial will be presented.” Mr. Fora was greeted with an outburst ofapplause and replicd with much feeling. “Mr. President and Genilemeu. I would be neither honest nor sincere if I attempted to conceal the pieasure which this manifestation of your confidence It comes 10 me at a time when it adds something of embarrassment on this occasion, and if you will believe me, when I express to youa the fact that I am illy prepared to proverly extend to you my appreciative thanks for this kind- ness upon your part. 1 appreciate the farther fact that the miners of Califorma | here are apt to be over-enthusiastic and extraordinarily generous in the treasment of their friends. * “‘On this occasion, naving found me a humble instrumentality for the conveying of certain action and direction from the rood people of this Sfate to our delegation at Washington, you have probabiy mis- taken the value of my efforts, and bave bestowed your gratitude upon one when it should have been bestowed upon an- other. I claim no particular praise for what I have been able to accomplish for the mining interest. *“This association has set on foot these measures for prosperity and has laid the foundations well and ‘deep. Your work was well done and your executive com- mittee bas been composed of brave men, and at the head of that committes has been that grandest Roman of them all Jacob Neff of Placer, without whose pre: eoce and guiding influence there is but hittle doubt we would not have reached the high position which we hold to-day; and surrounding him are men who have devoted their time without reward other than the esteem of their fellow-men. “I found when I went to Wa ngton that others had preceded me and had paved the way for further legislation. They were our loyal friends, Judge Niles Bearls, Major Frank McLaughlin and Mr. Hobson of Placer, with other good friends of ours, among whom was the late Hon, J. K. Luttrell. “'I'found that those distinguished gen- tlemen had lsid the foundation and had begun with educating a large part of the Eastern people to Jook upon us with some tavor. I merely presented your wishes as to the needed legislation at Washington and gave such arguments as had been placed in my possession. I want to say much, but it may be best for me to permit you to understand that from the very depth of my heart, from my innermost soul, I thank those generous miners for the confidence which they seem to have exhibited toward me. I could not make it stroncer; 1 could not find the words to fittingly portray to you the emo- tions that permeate me this .morning. Nuticing the peculiar wording of the in- scriptions upon this beautiful silverware | | | i i | | | man, D. T. Cole, 8 J. mining enterpiises; and whereas, the present | i | California, and urge upon our Legislature the which you have seen fit to give to me I de- | sire 10 say in behalf of that absent part- | ner of my life's sorrows and joys that were she with me this morning she would with | me return you her cordial thanks. For, I beiieve I may say without departure from the truih, that she does take some little bebalf I thank you aiso. “In conclusion, I wi!l sav that whatever I may be able to do for the cause which | you are assembled hera io speed, what- | ever of devotion and ability mey be of ser- vice to_you, you haye but to command, and it is yonrs,” The convention rose to its feet and gave Mr. Ford three cheers. The iray of the silver sérvice bore the | following inscriptio: Presented November 11, 1896, to Tirey L. Ford for his invaluable services at Washing- ton, D. C., in the. interest of the California miners by his friends. H. Neff, W. W. Mantague, Edwara Cole- idy, Andrew Carci- Kroas ‘;%uu C?“g‘t‘c':,’?«;w: fi"'““:uuu Sloss, X A , ames O'Brien, Charles G, Yale, Charles E. Derby, Robert MeMurray, J. E. Doolittle, J. J. Craw- ord, H. T. Power, F. R. Wehe, George Standart, . M. Benjamin, D. E. Hayes, C. W. Cross, S. B. Christy, R. R. Bulmore, A. B. White. Chairman Neff announced that Gov- ernor Budd was in the room and ap- pointed Robert McMurray and Tirey L. Ford as a committee to escort the Goy- | ernor to the piatiorm. The Governor was greeted with enthusi- | asm and when silence was restored spoke | as follows: “Mr. President and members of the convention: I did notexpect to have the pleasure of appearing, before you to-day. Though earnestly invited by your pr dent and other members of the organiza- tion I doubt whether I rould have taken the time but for the fact that Debris Commissioner Kidder a short time ago submitted to me an opinion of the Attor- | ney-General of California in regard to his duties as such commissioner. I informed Mr. Kidder that he was mistaken as to the purport of the opinion of the Attor- Tne §250,000 1hat was ap- propriated by the Legisiature of 1893 is in the State treasury to-day and will be ex- pended with the $250,000 appropriated by Congress at its last session. ! **The Debris Commissioner’s duties are to supervise and approve the planz of the United States engineers, and thereafter to see that the contracts for the construction of restraining dams are properly carried out. He then reports the matter before the Board of Examiners, and they go to the Controller and are paid by order on the State Treasurer. “In my judgrment there can be no question as to tkeeffect of the law upon our statute-books. There can be no ques- tion as to its expenditure, and 1f there should 'be, it is very edsy for the mnext Legislatur: to make the 'bill say exactly what the miners want it 1o say. I am pleased, after all these years, to see accom- pshed that which has been attempted. ‘“‘As a member of Congress I remember inheriting a bill from my predecessor ap- propriating $500,000 for’ the very purpose of the lolnt;upireonrhtion to-dsy by Con- gress and tue gislature of this State. It was cherished by Mr. Page, who was the miners’ friend, and by myseif as his? successor. ) “In investigating recently the laws upon our statute-book, 1 discovered, as 1 thought, that there would be a contlict be- tween the two laws. So I.immediately sent for Mr. Doolittle and State Min- eralogist Crawford, and told them in the presence of my old friend, Dan Cole, that they would have to amend the act of Con- gress or lose the appropriation. A tele- gram was sent on_through the efforts of Senator Tirey L. Ford, Mr. Wright and others, and now there is no conflict be- tween the two. It is needless to say that I got blistered as not being a friend of the miners. But I discovered the conflict ana 1 think it bas done good. “*As Governor of this State, any legisla- tion proper to develop the mining in- dustries of the State of California will not oniy receive my approval, but my hearty support and all the energy 1 can put upon it. ““Two years from now when I have re- tired and become a private citizen, as I in- tend to become, because I will not run again {applause and laughter], I want to meet you hereand to tell you tnat I have tried to do all 1 could for the miners of Califorma.’’ “Three cheers for Governor Budd!” shouted Chairman Neff, The cheers were given with a will, Fred Searls of the committee on resolu. tions read the following report: 8aN FrANCISCO, Cal., Nov. 11, 1893, To the pre<ident and members of the California State Mining - Association — GESTLEMEN: ° Your committee un resoluwons begs leave torespect- fully report as follows. The lollowing reselu- tions were adopted: Liesolved, That we look upon the State Min- ing Bureau as one of the 1mportant factors in the advancement of the mining industry of necessity of providing for its conunuea proper meintenance and support. Its reroru and bul- letins are niot only directly useful 16 the min- ers of the State, but also serve a good purpose in attracting the attention of people of otner States and countries 10 the advautages (o be zained in following the business of mining in California, Resolved, That the professor of mining, the | tection of the stockholder: professor of geology and the professor of min- eralogy of the Staté Unmversity, and the presi- dent and vice-president of the board of trus- tees of the State Mining Bureau and the State Mineralogist be made houorsry members of this association, and that they and each of them be entitled to seats as delegates to the present and future conventions of this asso- ciation. Resolved, That the California Miners’ Coun- vention indorses the plan of havieg the State Mining Buresu co-operate with the United S:ates Geologicsl Survey to makea topograp hic and geologic map of ihe mineral regious of the State of California, county by county, on a scale of 200 feet to 1 inch. Resolved, That the California Miners' Asso- ciaion do urge upon the Legislature of this | State, at its session commenciug in January, 1897, the repeel of those certain acts as fol lows, to wit: A 1. An actentitled “An act for the better pro- s in corporations formed under the laws of the State of Califor- nia for the purpose of carrying on and con- ducting the business of mining,” approved | March 30, 1874, and rclatiug, among other things, go'the furnisning of verified weekl: and &mflmmu}z the e pefifi‘l'nj‘- ent A ve secrctary and pmfifl? of mflmxm “'f companies. 2. Anact entitled “An Act for the further protection of stoekholders in mining compan- les,” approvea April 23, 1880, and preventing the directors of any mining corporation (o sue, lease, mortgage or otherwise dispose of the whole or any part of the mining ground owued or held by such cerporation, or 10 pur- ! chase or obtain in any way any additional mining'ground unless such act be ratified by the holders of at least two-thirds of the capital stock of such corporation. Resoived, That a committee of three to be residents of San Francisco be appointed by the president of this convention, the duties of which committee shall be 10 examine and carefully consider what legisiation may be necessary for the benetit of the mining indus- try of this State, either In the way of amend- ments o existing 1aws or a8 to new laws, and that said commiitee report to the incoming iegislature in writing, through the appropri- ate committees, with such recommendation as said committee may make; provided, bowever, that all such proposed legisiation shall first be submitted to the executive committee of the California State Miners’ Association for their approval. Resolved, That all persons having amend- ments mrro ose 10 existing laws, or new_leg- islation, in the mining industry of the State be invited to communicate with said com- mittee, Regotved, That the members of this conven- tion make it their individual duty to advise and consult with the legisiators of their re- spective counties, and urge upon them their kind offices in beha!f of such mining legisla- tion as may come before them for considera: tion. Resolved, That transportation facilities are of paramount importance to the success of alt mining enterprises, and that the present road system of this Staté is entirely unsatisiactory and totally insufficient jor the successful de- velopment of our mineral resources, and, therefore, that this convention heartily in- dorse the moyement for good roads, as evi- denced by the creation of the State Roads Commission, and we do ask for immediate legisiation for the betterment of our public hi%hwlys. he fcliowing isreferred tothe legislative commlitee of ‘the California State Miners’ Asso- ciation : ‘Resolved, That the gmond legislation sup- plementary to the ral miuing law, con- cerning locations, etc., and also amending section 14 of article I of the Stat= constitution, and amendatory of certain provisions of the codes of this State, and also of the Federal mining law, defining what shell be subject to plicer entry, s follows, 1o wit: 1. An act reiating to the location, relocation, manner of recording lode and placer claims, millsites, tunnel rights, amountof work neces- sary to hold possession of mining claims and the rights of co-owners therein. 2.°An sct to amena section 605 of the Penal Cede of the State of California, relating to the removing, defacing or altering of landmarks, ~3. An’'act (0 amend an act entitled “An act supplementary to an act entitled ‘An act con- cerning s and punishments, passed April 16,1850,’ " approved March 20, 1872, 4. An act relating to the purchase of ores aud other valuable mineral products, 5. An act to amend section 1183 of the Code |, of Civil Procedure of the State of Califoria, relating to the liens of mechanics and others upon real property. \ 6. Senate constitutional amendment No. —. To provose to the people of the State of Cali- fornia an amendment of the constitution of the State, amending section 14 of article I of me‘ constitution in relation to eminent do- main. 7. An act to amand secticn 2320 of the Re- vised Statutes relating to placer ciaims be in- dorsed by the California Miners' Association in convention assembled and further. Toe communication of Attorney-General Fitzgerald to State Debris Commissioner John F. Kidder is returned for the consideration of the convention, all of which is res tiully submitted. FRED SEARLS, Chairman. EDWARD A. BELCHER. e R M. CLARKER. At a later stage of the meeting Mr. Searls presented the following supple- mental report: Resolved, That the thanks of this convention be and they hereby are extended to the mem- bers of the Congress of the United States who have aided the miners of California in their efforts to secure needed Federal legislation. Resolved, That the thanks of this convention be and they are lhcreby warmiy expressed toward the newspapers of this Siate aund the newspapers of Sau Francisco in particular and as well toward the people of San Francisco for their hearty support cncouragement of this association and its purposes. s Chairman Neff appointed Charles G. Yale, W. C. Ralston and 8. K. Thornton & commilttee to' assist the sacretary in preparing an address to the %oo 4 Congressman Barham of 1| I%lnt Dis- trict opened the aftérnoon session with interesting; remarks, in which he face- tiously said he had only been in this State | since 1849, He added: “I believe that not more than one-fortieth part of the gold of our hills in California has been taken out. “If these hills were the same distance from New York or Buifalo as they are from San Francisco the people there woula see that a bill was passed in Con- gress to work them. *I propose to_move everything within my power in Congress to advance such legisiation as will at the same time ad- vance the intereste of the miners and pro- tect the navigable waters,” A further report of the committee on resolutions was presented and adopted as follows: Resolved, That the California Miners’ Associa- tion strongly and urgently desires the ap- pointment of a Cabinet officer to be known as the Secretary of Mines and Mining. ‘hat in the judgment of this asso- ciation it would be desirabie thatthe Governor ‘ltl’ this State, fn | 'poinnn.i r‘-nr‘eonn‘:if the niversity of take 1410 col e O 1 polnting a com. nt miner asone of the re- gents of that ttution when opportunity offers. A communication from the Chamber of Commerce, indited by Hugh Craig, its president, in regard to the department of mines and mining, was referred to the committee on resolutions. The letter inclosed four memoranda from G. McM. Rass, a delegate from Yaba County, on the following subjects: First—A plan for nsurance for those en- flgeld in mining and miling ores in Cali- ornia. Second—A plan to better prepare young miners for their life work. The writer suggested that the memo- randa be acted upon by the convention and closed by indorsing the idea of the establishment of 8 department for mines | and water at Washington with a special secretary. G. M." M. Ross suggested that at the earliest moment arrarigements be made s0 that the University of California can | issue to non-resident students the degree of mining engineer. The university could announce the subjects in which the stndents would be examined and suggest the best textbooks for study, and in all possible waysaid the non-residentstudents to prepare themselves for such exhmina- tions as they would have to pass before the degree would be conferred. The mining bureau could be made part | ef a school of mines to be located in San Francisco and munaged as other branches of the State University now are. Delegate F. Chapell presented the follow- ing, wiich was adopted: Resolved, That a committee of three bo aj inted to consider and report upon the su ect of a hospital for disabled miners. ‘When the chair announced that the time had come for electing officers for the ensuing year Judge Searls, in a highly flattering speech, placed Jacob H. Neff of Placer in nomination for the chairman- sbip. = Mr. Neff was nominated by acclamation and made a speech returning his thanks. 0. W. Jasper of Alameda baving moved ‘that the nominations for president be closed apd that a rising vote be given tue selection of a vice-president was in order. Delegate Ford was recognized, and he nominated Samuel R. Thornton, the in- cumbent. k g " Judee Niles Searls again rose in second- ing Thornton’s nomination. 0 f)elegna Voorheis’ :motion’ for a rising vote by acclamation was carried. Thornton acknowledged his nomination in a graceful speech. He desired that credit be given to those people who had roved the friendsof the miners in this tate. Judge Cross placed W. W, Montague in nomination - for treasurer, and upon the second of Delegate Loftus the nomination was by acciamation. 25 Judge Belcher nominated Julian Sonn- tag to succeed himself as secretary, stat- img that not only had he been a careful, hard-working servant, alive to the inter- esis of the miners of the State, but he ve- lieved it injudicious to swap horses in the middle of » stream. M:. Sonntag went in by acclamation. Fred Sear!s read the act proposed to be presented to the House of presenta- tives, and which was referred, after some discussion, to the committee on legisia- tion, It reads as follows: A bill to create an executive department of mines and mining. Be it enacted by the Sen- ate and House ot Representatives of the United States of America in Congress assembled, that there shail be at the seat ot Government an execulive department, 10 be known as the partmént of sives and Miniug, the gen- al design and duties of which shall be to acquire by examnation, practical and scien- 1ific experiments, geo.ogical research, or other- wise, useful information bjzcts connected with miningin the generaland comprehe: sense of the word, and to diffuse the among the people of tne Uniied States. Section 2. t said department shall be pigSttrsime s e gl iind “who ) ° ] Fhy ‘s with - the conseat of th Bras ’l:n:nn?:lfl;enfi i anperind es ied o g;‘?,nmhiz and tlio provisions of tirle 4 of Revised Statutes, including all amend- nemd. thereto, ‘xn hereby made epplicable to lee.? depart- there shall be in said ‘ment an t Secretary of Mines and Mining, to be appointed by the President, by and with the advice and consentol theSenate, who shall perform such duties ssmay be re- quired bylaw, or' prescribed by the Secretary thereof. Sec. 4. That the Secretary of Mines and Min- ing shall receive the same salary as is paid to the Secretary of each of the executive depart- ments, and the salary of the Assistant Secre- tary ot Mines and Mining shall be the same as that now paid to the First Assistant Secretary of the Department of the Interior. Sec. 5. That the duties now imposed by all laws and parts of laws relating to mines and mining affairs exclusively upon any existing department of the Government, or any division or bureau thereof, shall, on and after the day this act takes effect, be performed by the Department of Mines and Mining. Sec. 6. That the geological survey is hereby gansiarred to the Department of Mines and ining. Eec. 7. That the sale of the mineral lands of the United States sball be conducted under the mspicu of the Department of Mines and ning. ngaged in official work in any department of e m ¥ ndmn‘;“,p“ ‘bureau !:;:.1 o\’h‘“’efl f the o mmfl eng n the performance of the du- referred to in section 5 of thisact, and ail such employed in the departments referred to in sections 6 and 7 hereof, shall be transierred to the Department of Mines and Mining. See. 9. That all records, maps, documents, instruments, surveys, machineryand other materials now in the possession and use of any existing department ot the Government, orany division or bureau thereof referred to in sections 5, 6 and 7 of this act, are trans- ferred to the Department of Mines snd Mining. Sec. 10. That this act shall go into effect on the fourth day of March, eighteen hundred and ninety-seven. The following by Filcher of Placer was adopted : Believing that the time has come when a new Cabinet officer should be created in the United States to be known as the ‘‘Secretary of Mines and Mining,’’ and believing further that the indorsement of this idea by the Trans-Mississi ppi Cougress soon to convene at the city of Salt Lake would go far toward se- curing the same, therefore be it Kesolved, That the delegates from California and the said Trans-Mississippi Congress be, and they are herebv requested by the California Miners’ Association, to secure from said con- {r!fi! an indorsement in favor of said new “abinet officer. The convention then adjourned sine die. AL R T Address by W. H. Ricketts. At a meeting of the committee on reso- Iutions in the Palace Hotel last Tuesday ! night A. H. Ricketts made an able ad- dress on the mining laws. He said in part: Mr. Prsident: The proposed legislation which has been presen to this convention for ngrogrm(e action by the Mining and Scieniific Press of this City comprises six bills and one pro; constitution. ing subjects * 1. An act relatfng to the location, reloca- tion, manner of recording lode and placer claims, mill sites, tunnel rights, amount of ‘work necessary to hold possession of mining claims and the rights of Co-owners thereon. 2. An act relating to removiug, defacing or altering landmarks, and amending section 605, Penal Code. 3. An act relating to the robbery of mines “8‘-20 reduction works, and amending the act of 1 y posed amenament 1o the State These bills relate to the follow- 4. An act relating to the purchase of ores. 5. An act relating to liens of mechanics and others “§°“ real property, and amending sec- tion 1183, C. C. P. 6. A constitutional amendment defining what shall be construed as public uses, and amending section 14 of article I of the consti- tution. 7. An act relating to and defining placer claims, and amending section 2329 of the United States Revised Statutes. California has paid less legislative attention to the wants of the miner than any mining State or Territory, although the Federal min- ing law contemulates that its provisions shall be supplemented by State and Territorial legis- lation, as wellas by the local rules of miners. All the mining States, except California and Nevads, and all the mining Territories have long since enacted general laws relating to the mlxmner of locating and working mining cluims. A general mining law of a State 13 always more accessible than district laws, s univer- sal in its operation and operative until re- pealed; and so serves to 5"0 greater stability to the title of unpatented mining claims. 1t is pernaps safe to say that fully one-half of all the recorded notices of location in this State would be held to be inadmissible as evi- dence of any fact under the rulings of the courts, either because the local law has fallen into disuse or because the notices affect claims lying'within no organized mining district. A State law will correct this evil and make a recorded notice prima facie evidence of the facts therein contained. The first bill, in numerical order, presented for your consideration provides for the post- ing, recording the location notice, the con- tents thereof and the time within which those acts shall be performed, to wit: ninety deys from discovery. This gives the locator time in which to perfect his location. This bill further provides how abandoned claims may be relocated, and how amended locations inay be made. This provision ensbles the mineowner to have his surface lines determined, obviates the danger of the shifti: of monumenis or the subs:quent overlapping of his claim by ld"!olnilt mine owners or junior loentors. e bill further provides for the “advertis- ing out’ of delinguent co-owwers and the effect as evidence of the record of such pro- ceedings. ». - The second biil, in numerical order, is & pro- sed amendment of Section 603 of the Penal le, making it a misdemeanor to maheiously remove,'defuce or alter landmarks; pariicu- lariy.the. n stakes or monuments of a mining claim. B The third bill is & proposed smendment of in; Sec, 8. That on the organization of thisde- partment all officers and employes wholly! section 1 of the act of 1850, amended in 1872, relating to the stealing of ores, gold dust, amaigam, quicksilver or concentrates. Both of the two bilis last mentioned amplify the existing laws upbn the several subjects, broaden their scope and are intended to give additional protection to the mining inaustry 1in this State. The same remerks are applicable to the fourth bill, which is entitled” ““An act relating to the purchase of ores,”” and 1s intended to repress an evil which exists to a greater or less extent in every mining eamp. This biil provides a means for the identification of ores Sold, and the ascertainment of the name of the person who delivered the same or received the Toceeds thereof. A similar statute prevails n Colorado. The fifth bill is a proposed amendment of section 1183 of the Code of Civil Procedure relating to liens of me¢hanics and others upon real property, ana is intended to secure to the laboring miner a greater right than is af- forded by the e ing provisions of the law upon that subject. The most cursory read- iug of the pres:nt law will show its maniiold deficiencies as to the miner's right of lien and the necessity for its enlargement. The Su- preme Court’s construction of this law has tended to emphasize its inherent defects, and the proposed amendment has been drawn in the light of its decisions. The proposed amendment to section 14 of article I ot the constitution defines what shall be construed as public uses and is taken bodily from the act of 1895. In view of the Yubx.cnliou in the Mining and Scientific Press of the 7ih of the editorial headed “Emi- nent Domain in Mining,”” copies of which are before you, it would seem like a work of supererogation for me to sav anything further as to_the reason why this constitutional amendment appears to be & proper measure. A proposed amendment of section 2329 of the United States Revised Statuies 1s sub- mitted for your consideration. It simply de- fines as ‘‘piacer’” whac the Land Department has held to be “placer” for about fifteen years before the Aldritt decision. It is not assumed that these various matters are free from error,althougn great care has been taken in their preparation. Since the publication of these bills several very important amendments have been made thereto at the suggestion of the Alameda del- egation and by Professor W. S. Keyes, vice- resident of the Mining Burean, and it s hoped that this convention will hkewise add to the efficiency of this proposed legisiation. I now, on Lehalf of the mining industry of California, submit the matter for your consid- eration, — Placer County Miners. At a meeting of the Placer County Miners’ Association held at the Palace Hotel yesterday morning the following= named officers were elected for the ensuing term: Harold T. Power, president; M. T, Lawrence, vice-vresident; Ivan H. Parker, secretary, and T. J. Nichols, treasurer. TO RUN TO THE BAY. A Plan to Have Polk Street Open to the Water. . A meeting of the Polk-street Improve- ment Club was held Tuesday evening at 1605 Polk street. Secretary Dross in presenting his report announced that the Sutter-street Railroad Company, through its secretary, had con- tributed $30 toward the electric-light fund. He announced that the membership is now 195. The executive committee, through Mr. Bibo, reported a suggestion that immedi- ate action be taken in the matter of the extension of Polk street north. Val Schmidt stated that the Van Ness Improvement Club is anxious to assist in the opening of the block that now shuts off direct travel. A proposition to amend the by-laws so as to more fully set forth the object of the club, which is new given as “the improvement of Polk street,” was laid over until the next meeting. The amendment is that the object is “‘the im- provement of Polk street, the promotion of business and the vprotection of the members of the clubh.’’ The president announced that a special meeting will be held next Mondey even- ing for the purpose of devising means to open the street north of Lombard, and all property-owners and the members of the | Van Ness Avenue club will be invited to attend. A member of the club called attention to the fact that a number of merchants on Sixth street are paying but $150 a week for lights, while the Polk-street Club is charged §3 per light. After some aiscus- sion, during which it was stated that the opposition company which furnishes lights at reduced rates could not have fur- nished the lights for the reason that it has no franchise, it was stated that the club has signea a contract for six months and that it hopes to have the City assume the lights before that time. Fipally a committee of three, consisting of Messrs. Levin, Schmldtand Frankle, were appointed to obtain information on the subject. . THE TROPHY GOES SOUTH TheState Championship Is Relinquished by the Olympic Gun Ciub. The Olympic Gun Club held its annual meeting in its new home at 1309 Van Ness avenue last evening. The election of officers to serve during the ensuing year resulted as follows: President, Harlow H. White; secretary, Merton C. Allen; captain, L. D. Owens. In addition to the gentlemen named the board of directors consists of Alfred A. Borlini, A. H. Whitney, Stanley G. Scovern, F. W. Eaton, Fred R. Webster 1 and £dward Bosqui. The club has now a membership of 112. In executive meeting the board of di- rectors took up the matter of the State championship. It will be remembered that on October 5, at a State shoot held at San Jose, the Los Angetes Gun Club tied the Olympic Gun Club according to the decision of the State Association. The southerners refused to accept the decision, claiming that the referee had allowed an extra bird to one of their team who had * been balked. That extra bird, therefore, made them a winner. Such being the case they refused to shoot the tis off and the Olympics took the championship by default. Los An. eles has protested against this, and the protest was recognized last night by the Olympics. who decided to return the trophy and buttons to the State Asso- ciation that they may be forwarded to the Los Angeles Gun Club. ———————— A Smuggler Dying. Several months ago Thomas McGowan, a fireman on one of the steamers that ply be- tween this port and British Columbia, was ar- rested at Benicia while trying to smuggle opium ashore. He was sentenced to serve one year's imprisonment in the Alameda County Jail. Yesterday District Attorney Foote learned that McGowan was likely to die from typhoid pneumonia, and he asked Judge Morrow for permission to have the man re- moved to some hospital. Judge Morrow or- dered McGowan's removal 10 the Receiving Hospital of Oakland. Turned On the Gas. E. Massib was taken to the Receiving Hos- pital yesierday from 814 Montgomery street suffering from o gas asphyxiation. He soon re- covered and said he must have accidentally turned on the gas, as he had no intention of committing suicide. —————— The New Champagne Vintage. A remarkable vintage, eliciting universal admiration, now bei: nip) to this coune 4y, is G, H. Mumm’s Extga Dry, Tryit @