Weekly Trinity Journal

Miners' Convention.

In accordance with a request that that journal should set a time and place for holding a Convention of miners of this State, the San Francisco Mining and Scientific Press has named Wednesday, the 19th day of January, at Sacramento, as the time and place for such meeting. The Press says:

We have placed the day thus distant, with the view of not allowing it to interfere with the holidays. We should be pleased to hear from our cotemporaries on the matter, and if the call, as suggested, meets with no special objection, we shall place it in a proper position in our columns, and do the best we can to make the Convention a success in every particular.

As the proposed Convention is a matter in which the press of the mining counties is requested to express an opinion, we shall indulge in a few remarks. While it matters little to us when the Convention is held, we believe the time named will be really the most inconvenient that could have been selected. January, more than any other month, is the time when miners in this region of the State are most busily engaged at their peculiar avocations, for the reason that during that month water is usually plenty, and in mining parlance, "every day's work counts." Besides, it is the worst month in the year for miners or anybody else to travel, and especially for a trip of the magnitude which it would be for those residing in the more distant sections from the place of meeting. However, both the above objections can be surmounted if the will is good, and as we earnestly desire to see a Convention of miners held, we shall not raise our voice in behalf of a change of time unless the objection is extensively argued.

In a former reference to the subject we suggested Marysville or Nevada as the place of meeting. The Marysville Appeal seconds that suggestion, including Grass Valley as another point where it might be of advantage for the Convention to assemble. We could see no very good reason for locating the Convention at San Francisco or Sacramento, although on further consideration we must acknowledge that if the meeting be held during the session of the Legislature, it might be of some advantage to have it at Sacramento. By so doing that body might be enlisted in the enterprise, and perhaps furnish it valuable aid.

We should like to see it held at Nevada, for the reason that there the miners of the State would be benefitted by witnessing the results of experiments and improvements in mining operations of which they are now strangers. Nevada, owing to a plentiful supply of capital, and the consequent introduction of improved mining appliances, can undoubtedly furnish valuable information to most other mining counties of the State. But as to the place of holding the proposed Convention, we desire to abide the will of the majority.

We will here state that the columns of the Journal are open to the opinions and suggestions of the mining fraternity, from whom we hope to hear. In closing, we quote from the Nevada Transcript the following well-timed suggestions in connection with the proposed Convention :

An assemblage of intelligent miners would be enabled to do much towards making known the mines, and thus induce those who seek investment to aid the miner in developing his resources. The improvements in the methods of working the mines, and the good that would result from the suggestions of experienced miners, will be an important result of such a convention. Every branch of industry has its societies and conventions, where its members meet for mutual improvement. Mining is the great leading interest of the Pacific coast, and it is a business that requires long experience and close study. We have few successful miners who have not acquired their knowledge by long experience and at the expense of repeated failure. They know the uncertainty of the prospector, and the dangers of the mines, and are capable of giving information that will in a great measure contribute to the success of those younger in the business.

The next Congress will undoubtedly legislate for the mines, and the laws passed will be beneficial just in proportion as legislators are informed in regard to the interests of the mines. Congress would never place an obstacle in our way, save through ignorance. At the last session, a bill was offered by a Senator from this coast, who professed to represent miners, asking for the sale of the mineral lands by the Government. It is known here that nine-tenths of the miners hold that such a policy would almost ruin the State. But how is Congress to know this? Besides, we need some State legislation for the encouragement of the prospector, and to secure him a good title to the claim. In a State Convention, these matters could be discussed, and the opinions and wishes of the men who "dig into the earth for treasure" would not be disregarded.