Sacramento daily record-union. [volume] (Sacramento [Calif.]) 1875-1891, 1881-02-09

averred that the swamp lands which would
receive the greatest benefit from the opera
tons under the Act would pay the smallest taxes
IN consequence OF the small valuation for which
they were assessed not TO exceed three dollars pei
acre. He also denurred to the almost limitless
power conferred by the measure under discussion
upon the Drainage Commission. That power might
be abused. The very principle on which all legis
iation was based was In direct opposition to the
theory underlying this Commission Experience
had taught that it was unsafe to intrust any men
or man with absolute power The speaker also
called attention to the ease with which the Com.
mission could apply the public money to private
benefit by building levees the lands OF individual
owners, as they had the right TO do under the law
Mr.. GLAscocK referred to the assertions made by
previous speakers to the effect that he had set on
foot an investigation without cause, and had failed
TO substantate any of the charges against the Di.
rect0rs which he had based upon the statements
made to him by others. He denied these assertions
and claimed that, had the testimony taken before
the committee been printed, as he had wished he
would be able to show that his statements prior to
the examination were justified and corroborated by
the evidence of Mike Bryts and others. He
testified to the impartial manner in which witnesses
had been examined by the Chairman of the Irriga-
tion Committee, and made brief argument i'll favor
of the repeating bill
Mr.. BURT said that the repeal OF this bill meaI.t
the stoppage of mining operations. He granted
that the State had the power to stop the workings
OF mines temporarily but he did not believe that 1t
had the power to stop them permanently. 1t had
been said by one OF our biggest statesmen that the
mines of California did not belong to the State OF
California They belong to the United States and
while the General Government had granted to the
State the right to regulate the workings of the
mines, it never had granted and never would grant
the right of the State to stop those workings en-
tirely The people on the east side OF
the Rocky Mountains realize that the pro-
duction of the precious metals from the mines OF
California had done more than any other one thing
towards putting down the late rebellion and main
tanning the credit of the country with foreign coun-
tries since its ciose and had placed the finances OF
the Government on their present solid basis. But
the people of the East look coldly upon any suffer
ings that might be visited upon the people OF Cali
forna. The experiences OF the last few years OF the
Chinese question duly demonstrates that fact, and
the speaker did not believe that the people the
United States Government would consent to
the entire stoppage Of mining, even though
it destroyed one-half of the arabe land
of the State. He was satisfied from
the reports of the engineers and from his own
experience that there was already detrtus enough
held in the ravnes and canyons OF the mountains TO
lay this whole valley desolate and to destroy every
town and village that the waters could possibly
reach He believed in giving the plans OF the engi-
fair trial. and thought that the people might
well bear the taxes resulting from them In consider
alton of the benefits derived.
Mr.. GoRMAN referred to the fact that when the
debris bill was up for consideration one year ago he
had voted again it, and could not be accused OF
Inconsistency in voting for its repeal He opposed 1t
at the last session becausei would prove failure, and
he opposed it this time because he knew that it
failure, and believed th,t the money of the people
OF the State might well be thrown into the bay, as
to be expended in such a manner He sympathized
with the distresses of the people of the valley and
was Wiling to do all he could for them indi-
yidual but as Senator, he thought it was his duty
to represent the wishes of his constituents in favor
of the repeal.
Mr.. RYAN said that while as an individual he was
opposed to the bill, he felt it his duty in conse-
one nff he of Z
its pa, sage He had voted for the debris bill at the
last session. and at that time believed in the suff.
cheney and praccabity of the plans proposed by the
engineers. He believed in them still
Mr.. CoN6ER spoke in advocacy of the bill, and
gave his reasons therefor.
Mr.. DICKINSON also defended it.
Mr. KANE proclaimed himself in its favor.
Mr.. JOHNSON said that unless there was some othei
Senator who wished to speak, he desired to close the
debate on his side.
Mr.. ENos said that he did not desire to address
the Senate at present. but would claim the right to
reply if personal considerations prompted him to
do SO.
Mr.. JOHNSON then made an eloquent and i'm.
pressive argument in opposition to the bill, during
the course of which he briefly summed up and
answered the main points made by those who had
spoken in its favor.
Mr.. HILL said that if there not other friends
of the bill who desired to speak, he would close the
debate. He said that the statement made by Mr..
Johnson on the day previous, to the effect that he
was opposed to some of the provisions OF the bill
sought to be repealed, spoiled the effect OF his eo
quence to-day.
The roll was then called and the bill passed by the
following vote:
Ayes-Anderson, Baker, Brown, Burns, Chase
Ccnger, Dickinson, Enos, Glascock, German, Har.
Ian, Hill, Hittell Hudson, Johnston, Kane, Kelly
Lampson, Langford, Moreland, Nelson, Neumann
Pardee, Pool, Rowell, Ryan, Satterwhite, Sears
Trayor, Wendell, West and Zuck-32.
Noes-Burt, Carlock, Cheney, Davis, George
johnson, Nye ami Watson-S.
Mr.. CARLoCK changed his vote from no TO aye.
Mr.. JOHNSON changed his vote from to aye, and
gave notice that on tomorrow he would move to re-
consider the vote by which s B. q had been passed
On motion OF Mr.. DICKINSON the Senate adjourned
at 5:52 P. NJ.