Sacramento daily record-union., 1881-11-11
THE REPORT OF TEE BOARD OF TRADE
comutrrEg ON TIE DEBaIs QUESTION.

drawn precisely the same conclusions
which the RECORD UNION has been advo-
eating for years. The committee fully
recognize the extent and gravity of tue in
juries caused by the debris, and the neces-
sity OF protecting the valley lands against
it in the future. But they also fully realize
the Importance OF the mining interest, and,
curivusly enough, they have hit upon that
principle of community interest which was
at the bottom Of the Drainage Act, and
which this journal has always contended
ought to govern the whole question. In
deed, while we are as matter of course
glad to find our views so faithfully and
completely reproduced in the report
of the committee, we cannot but
regret that the practical common sense
exhibited in the report was not
brought to bear upon the controversy by
the people of San Francisco before it had
drifted-into its present difficult position.
That this was not the case is entirely due
to the stupidity and perversity of the San
Francisco press. Not one of the so called
leading journals of that city could ever
reach a high enough standpoint to perceive
that any community interest was involved.
They did not even care TO inform them
selves on the subject at all, and though
every consideration presented in the re-
port of their Board of Trade Committee
was dealt with in the Governors Special
Message to the last Legislature, they had
not enterprise or sagacity enough to per-
ceive that this was great subject, and that
it was emphasically one of State concern.
With the instinct OF peanut vendors they
attacked the Drainage Act on the score Of
the tax levy of one-twentieth of one per
cent, and shutting their eyes to every dig
niied and respectable consideration, sought
deliberately to enlist the blind parsimony
of the least intelligent element against the
measure. This same sordid and dull press
has prevented the people of San Francisco
from understanding the subject, and now
for the first time a committee of their own
choosing has let in light upon it.
The committee are right. The question
is one of State consequence. It would be
most serious misfortune for California il
either the miners or the farmers should be
ruined and driven away. It is for the
benefit of all that these conflicting inter-
ests should be prevented from destroying
one another. The people Of the State can
have no a7eimas in the matter. All they
desire is Chat both these valuable interests
shall be preserved. The committee is also
right III asserting that litigation never can
cure the evils complained of. It is in fact
merely a squaudering of hope and money
together, and while it drags its slow
length along the harm is increasing. The
committee recommends a free conference,
or Convention, between the farmers and
the miners, to be held on the 18th instant.
It may be doubted whether the date set is
not too early,r though probably if both
sides have any sincere desire to come
together they can be ready at once. Ger.
tainly, if they follow their own interests
intelligentiy, they will avail themselves of
the ccmmittee's suggestion, for of course
it binds them TO nothing, and it viii not
be necessary to suspend litigation in order
TO exchange views, If an agreement can
be reached it viii then be in order to stop
the suits and other proceedings. The first
thing TO be aacertained is whether there is
point of contact between the parties. Il
they come together without lawyers, and
talk over the matter in a business-ike
way, there is no reason why they should
not reach perfectly satisfactory arrange
mens, and it is probable that there is nc
other way in which this can be done.
There is reason to believe that the miner.
are already willing to undertake to take
care of the debris henceforth. No doubt
the most trustworthy engineering opinions
eau be had concerning the suficiency O
the plans they propose to adopt. And i
they are willing to bear the entire cost O
this work, and to hold the farmers harm
less, It is difficult TO perceive upon what
grounds the latter can reasonably reject
this proposition. To say that litigation i;
a quicker or surer way of getting what
they want is not rational position TO take
for every sane person knows that the prin.
cipal characteristics of litigation are uncsr.
tainty and tediousness. The result of ths
attempt to shut of the water from thu
/ Nevada county mines shows how uncer
tain legal processes are, and it may easily
be inferred that able lawyers arc competent
to produce many other counteratrokes o
this kind, all calculated to prolong the
struggle, and to prevent the farmers
from reaping any temporary protection
From the State standpoint it is per
fectly clear that compromise il
the one sound policy, and from
the standpoint of the farmers it ii
almost equally apparent that the proposal
for free conference affords way out o
the contest which the Courts are very un
likely to furnish. The San Francisco Com
mittee has presented that view of the case
which has already been rendered familiar
to the readers OF the RECORD. UNION, and
which may be said to be the prevailing
view OF this community, as well as of the
business men. of San Francisco. It is fol
the Anti Debris Association to take or tc
leave the proposition, but if they reject ii
they must lay their account with having
hereafter to experience that regret which
comes of the recognition of wasted oppor,
tunities, and which is at once the most