Sacramento daily record-union., 1881-02-14
speech of senator Grove L. Johnson.

Mr. President Inasmuch as no other Senator de-
sires to speak, rise to close the debate upon the
side of the anti tirepealers, with the understanding
of course that Senator H1l the author of the BILL
closes the entire discussion. I make this statement
that all may understand that so far as our side is
concerned debate is ended, not that wish to pre-
vent any discussion. do not think there is a men,
Der of this Senate that will say that ever at any
time have attempted to deprive any Senator Of
the right to speak, or that / have ever manifested
any fear of any Senator's replying to aay remarks
that might make, whether they are personal or
connected with the subject under discussion and if
make any remarks which to any Senator may seem
to personally apply | want it distinctly understood
that, so far as am individually concerned, would
like to give him the privilege of having a year or
two to reply, il he wants it, and talk all the while
Now Mr.. President, all the senators who have
spoken upon this question and have spoken in favor
OF the repeal of the socalled debris Act with the
exception of the tive Senators from the Tenth
Senatorial District, M Neumann and Mr. Dickin-
son, and the Senator from Santa Clara Mr. Baker
have contented themselves with doing three things
and three things only-wth following out three lines
of argument, if argument it may be called and
those are as consider them, follows: First, the
abuse of the law itself which they seek to repeal
second, abuse of the Directors OF Drainage District
No. l ; and third, abuse of the work done.
Mr.. Conger-l desire to correct the gentleman
Mr.. Johnson-I accept the correction so far as
Senators Conger and Ryan are concerned. beg both
their pardons and would simply say in reference tn
the Senator from the Ninth that ali desire 10 sa in
reference to his arguments upon this proposition
was that when he said that ninety.nine one-hup.
dredths of his const tuents demanded the repeal o
this debris Act, would simply inquire what county
he has heard from, San Francisco or Sonoma?
Mr.. Conger-I referred to San Francisco.
Mr.. Johnson only asked for information The
Senator who commenced this line Of argument OF
debate, was the Senator from the Thirteenth. Mr.
Fnos and have but TO say in reference to his so.
called Speech that ii he is not sorry for 1t he ought
to be- that he was unparliamentary from the begin
I a. =.
dignifed during that time; that his remarks in
reference to gentleman not member of this Sen.
ate though the presiding efreer OF a coordinate
branch of the Legislature were uncalled-for tndg
nifed, and in my Judgment unworthy OF the Sen.
atoT, unworthy OF the people of this State He for
got himself, have the charity To believe in the
heat of debate, and believe that he had the hooe
that by using such strong languages unwsrrauted
and improper as 1t was, that he might in some slight
deglee atone to his offended conscience for his
rapid transposition Of views upon this question
leave him TO the Judgment of his own manhood
leave him TO the cain reflection of his sober sec
ond senses leave to his own heart and to his own
head to find the punishment for his unsenatorisl
language yesterday believing that time will but add
to the that be must feel for having so far for
got himself in the excitement naturally attendant
upon warm debate. have nothing to say in refer.
ence to the remark made about myself That was
meant as a jocu matter, suppose and as such
receive it. 1t is true that il amused the Senator
perhaps and am glad TO that he is amusing at
times VI course ne does not expect any one to re-
ply to his argument, if he made any argument
The next senator who offered remarks upon this
questions ] viii take them in lne-astonished
me have doubt he astonished every resident
of San Francisco; and j have doubt he aston
ished every Senator from San Francisco / know
that he astonished one member of the Beard Of
Harbor Commissioners by the remarkable engineer
ing skill he displayed when ne said that San Pablo
Bay could be filed up without any dam
age being done to San Francisco Bay,
ana vet with that worthless piece of civil engineer.
ing upon his tongue he asks US take his views in
reference these brush dams in opposition to those
OF the engineers that have built and have examined
them. Senator Sears is not only incorrect in that
proposition, but he is incorrect also, as has been
shown by Senator Cheney, in reference to the lam