Mr. WILLIAMS. The statement of the Senator satisfies me that I am right in my opposition to the bill, for he acknowledges that the bill is imperfect and contemplates future legislation. I say to the Senator new, that if this bill should pass, it simply opens the door to all sorts of legislation injurious to the miner. If this legislation would stop with the enactment of this law, then, perhaps, my oh jections would not be so well founded asI think they are: but this is simply a stepping stone, orun initiatory ste, as I understand it. I do not Suppose that is teintention of those who bring forward the bill, but it is necessa rily a steing stone to other and further legislation. yjudgment is, that when Congress undertakes to legislate generally for the mines of this country it. will do to those mines an irreparable injury. Congress, when it, once commences, will be compelled to tinker with its legislation from time to time until the whole system of mining regulations which has grown: up from time and experience, and which is now Well adapted to the wants and interests of the miners, will be thrown into inextrieahle confusion and made the means of endless controversy and litigation. Now, sir, I suggest that this bill provides that a man who takes a mining claim may enter it, or he may not. Suppose A takes a mining claim, and files a plat and entersit according to the provisions of this bill; and B, who has an adjoining claim, prefers not to enter. A holds his claim by one title; B holds his by another. What is the relative condition of the parties? Is B's right as good as the right of A; or is he to be dispossessed if he does not proceed and obtain title as required bylaw? Vill not such a conflicting system of titles introduce discord and confusion into the rights and interests of the minin people of this country, some holding under t ie provisions of this bill, and some holding under the laws, cus toms. andiisages of the mining community in which they live? This provision, no doubt the best that can be devissd, only illustrates that it is impossible for Congress to undertake to legislate for these mines in any way without producing trouble and confusion. It is mani est that no system can be adopted that will be complete and perfect in itself, that will embrace all the interests and rights and claims of all mining communities. So long as a system cannot be devised that is perfect in itself, like the preemption law of the country, which will apply to the case of every miner alike, and put them all upon an equal footing, and operate equally everywhere in the minin country, it will be unwise, in my judgment, for Congress to enter upon this sort of legislation. I have examined this bill, and I wish to direct the attention of the Senate to the defect iveness of its several provisions; and I do so because I do not wisi to have Congress act inconsiderately or hastily upon a subject of this kind, in which a very large proportion of m constituents are deeply interested, and in which I believe the whole country is interested. The bill provides that when any person has occupied and improved a claim according to local custom or rules of miners, in regard to whose possession there is no controversy or op osing claim, that person may file a plat an enter under the provisions of this law; but no provision is made in this bill for claims about which there is a controversy or to which there is an opposing claim.