Sacramento daily record-union. [volume] (Sacramento [Calif.]) 1875-1891, 1880-03-11
DEBRIS QUESTION.
The People Of Nicolaus Discuss the
Brown Bill" ard Petition for the I'M
pounding of Mining Debris.

Brown Bill, AID Petition for the I'm
pounding of Mining Debris.
EDS. RECORD UNION: In presenting the
proceedings of the meeting held here yester-
day, allow me to state that, from canvassing
the sentiment of this neighborhood there
would not be any great opposition to the
passage of the Brown bill, provided that it
was so modified that the impounding Of the
debris should be at the sole charge of hy-
draulic miners should think that such a
project could be easily accomplished by
them. They could pay it, either in proper
ton to the amount OF cubic yards each com
pany intends TO wash down, or in proportion
to inches of water each company is daily or
monthly using. PHIL. b. DREsCRER.
NicolauS, March Q, $780,
In pursuance Of a call public meeting was
held March Sth to consider Browns bill to
promote drainage. The meeting was organ
lied by electing W. II. Smith Chairman, and
Phil. L. Drescher Secretary. A free, easy
and dispas tomato discussion was had over the
merits and dement's OF the bill. All present
agreed that something must be Immediately
done; the destruction of the best part of the
Sacramento valley was imminent from the
flowing of hydraulic mining debris; that
there is an isrepressible conflict between the
hydraulic miners and the farmers which must
be adjusted soon some went 90 far as to
assert that they would rather have the
Brown bill consummated into law than
none at all /; all approved of some Of its pro-
visions, but in the main they were all opposed
to its passage in its present form. The argu-
ments seemed to DRIFT to the conclusions
First-That it Is not eXpedent and safe to
couple the levee and drainage system with
the debris nuisance.
Second-1hat the problem of impounding
the debris in the mountains must be first ac-
compiished before any legislation is needed
for State drainage systefns
Ihird-I'hat the levee and drainage sys-
tenn must be under State control and police
regulations; that the State Engineer must
be the sole authority in the formation Of the
several districts. and define their boundaries !;
that the tax question should not be submitted
until it would require higher than
- per cent TO accomplish the levee and
drainage Of district, aud no tax should be
laid upon personal property for that purpose.
Fuurth-That the State Engineer Depart
ment should be authorized to make accurate
surveys of all the streams requiring artificial
embanllment, divide the State into proper
districts, define their boundaries, and esti-
mate the probable cost for leyee and drain
age purposes for each district, and report to
the Governor before the 18th day of Decem-
Der, 1880.
Fifth-That from the information thus
gained the next Legislature would be better
enabled to pass satisfactory levee and drain
age laws for the State.
After a full discussion, the following pre-
amble and resolutions were presented, and,
upon motion, they were adopted as expressive
of the sense OF the meeting
WHEREAS, The flow of hydraulic mining debris
has already and forever destroyed 100 600 acres Of
the best farming lands on the Fear, Yuba and
Feather rivers; and whereas, this debris slide has
in its grasp for destruction section of the State Of
no less than from / 500 to 2, COO square miles, sur
rounding the State Capital; and whereas, we the
suffering and abused p ople, have not oaly suppl
Gated former Legislatures for relief or for law as
Z the rule of action between hydraulic miners and
a2riculturists, but have appealed to the Courts
for relief so far without success therefore be it
Res0lred. That in no civilized country would such
vandalism be tolerated that capitalists by specious
Congressional and State legislation have gained con-
tr OF the waters of the State for by raulic mining
purposes in the prosecution of which they forever
large scope OF the best farming lands OF the Sacra
mento valley, also I'LL our Bavigable rivers and
bays, and the best natural harbUr on the Pacific
coast and destroying them for navigation forever.
ResoLced, Viewing the destruction on the Bear
and Yuba rivers already twelve miles from the foot
hills down. that the time is at hand when our lands
and homes will be totally destroyed we appeal again
the Legislature in session for protection and
relief our patience mas been sorey tried we have
raised our leyees which before the hydraulic mining
era gave ample protection to lands, with hight
Of 81 feet to IL feet; but finding that Bear river
the bed of the stream has been raised from to l.
feet alb we the original banks and adjacent lands we
demand that the miners or the State shall take care
OF the debris, while we will protect ourselves against
floods dri' en- to such strait that forbear
ance ceases to be virtue.
Resolred That are opposed to the passage OF
the Brown bill TO promote drainage, in its present
| form, though we recognize and approve of two
features in it First that the levee and drainage
system is to be under State control and second
that the State Engineer is TO be the sole authority
to shape the districts and fine their boundaries
but we do not consider it equitable to couple the
abatement of the debris nuisance with the eyee and
drainage system. We hold rat the problem of i'm
rounding OF the debris has to be effectuay solved
frat before the levee and drainage system can COM
mence. We also consider the bill vague OH taxation
and would express opposition to taxing personal
or movable property for levee purposes.
Re- diced, That we appeal to and urge the Legsla
ture for the passage of an Act having for its sole OBJ
ect the impounding of the debris TO prevent it from
flowing to the valley, either at the expense of the
hydraulic miner the State.
Resolrcd That in our opinion we can TO the State
Government only look for adjustment and relief Of
our grievances that Congress viii only appppri
ate money for improving our navigabe rivers, bay:
and harbors.
Resolred That copy Of the foregoing resolutions
be sent to our honorable members in the Legisla
ture. and that they be published in the RECORD
| UNION.
Upon motion, the meeting adjourned
w. II. SMITH, Chairman.
! Phil. E. DREscHER, Secretary.
| Nieolars March 8 1891