Mr. WILLIAMS. I do not know that I fully understand that amendment in its ap lication to the other sections of this bill, and Fthink it will take some time to reconcile these different amendments with the original sections of the bill. But this amendment, as I understand it. proposes now to confer upon the Legislative Assembly of any State or erritory the right to regulate and control the minin interests of the State or of the Territory, so t iat the property of the U.S. as well as the rights of the miners. will be subject to the legislative control of the State or of the Territory. Here is a conflict of jurisdiction at once. between Congressand the legislative power of the States. It seems to me that these amendments which the Senator is constantly making to this bill serve to indicate that it is impossible for him to perfect a system which will answer the purpose he has in view; and here he now provides by this amendment. for a sort of patche up sys tem. a part of which is to be under the control of Congress and a part of which is to be under the control of the legislative dept of each State. Now, sir, I say that, in my judgment, the It is a section which was I ask the polic for Congress to pursue on this subject is simply to pass a law maing the gold and silver bearing lands of the U.S. open to exploration and to occupation, and to confirm by something in the nature of a quit claim deed, without any reservations or qualifications or any equivalent, to those persons who occupy or may occupy the mineral lands of the U.S., according to the usages and the customs of the district where they may live, the right and title to the land. [but is all that is necessary. That is equivalent in all respects to a patentfrom the Government of the U.S., and whenever any controversy arises in any of theselminin districts in reference to the right to the di erent claims, that right will be determined by the laws and cos toms and usages of that community, and it would not be necessary to refer to the records of the U.S., or to any proceedings in Washington or to any laws 0? Congress, in order to determine those rights. But, sir, I did not intend to discuss the merits of the bill and will not trouble the Senate further on the subject.