Sacramento daily record-union. [volume] (Sacramento [Calif.]) 1875-1891, 1881-01-18

called the attention OF his associates TO the ct that
thousands of dollars due in every county of the State
under the provisions of the Debris Act were delin-
quent, which would probably not be paid until
March next. Would not those unpaid assessments
be then invalid in the event of a repeal? None of
the members of the committee were prepared 10
answer this question, but Mr.. Young, one # the
lawyers of the committee promised to consider the
matter.
Mr.. Parks, one of the Drainage Commissioners.
was present and in response to the questions of the
committee said 81 think after you have examined
thoroughly the manner in which the Commissioners
and the Engineer have done business and
the amount of work that has been done,
and that Is expected to be DONE think you will be
satisned but II ou are not, Of course the Directors
can direct you TO the most important that has
oeen doDe, winch you can visit But think 1T
tnan prob .be, after YOU have heard our ements
that you will conclude there no question as TO the
useful character of the work. My Judgment is that
when the question is thoroughly presented to you
you VIII that il is of such magnitude that it
Should extend through series of years that even
II we're to demonstrate beyond doubt that there
had been some work done that ought not 10 be done
or some neglected TO be done that should have been
done, 1t would cut figure in the question as to the
repeal OF this Act If the Central Pac fic Railroad
company, IN the construction of its road should
lose q bridge, that would be no argument for
the abandonment of the enterprise In my
Judgment the committee should not be influenced
by any small consideration as to the work being
done or its being not done. don't think the com
mittee will. | don't think that il the committee
had determined that the work was well done or
poorly done it would influence the committee any in
its action. When the magnitude Of the work has
been estimated, it will have great deal more infu-
ence with the committee than the character of any
one piece Ct work. In an undertaking of ttis kind
We must expect to meet with adversIties We are
dealing with an element that is hard to handle
that IS water and We musteXrect not only present
adversely but its continuance fos many YEAR,. But
what has been done will prove OF novaue to the State
unless the work lscompeted. But think perhaps the
committee will be better prepared to judge after
making these examinations whether they desire to
visit any or all of the works. If they so DESIRE of
Sc the Commission will be happy to give any in,
formation in its power. Thus far work has been
done the Sacramento, Bear, Feather and Yuba
rivers and some OF the most prominent could
be visited in few days, and think the committee
will be better prepared to tell where it TO go
after visiting these places. think after examining
them they VIII ascertain that the work has been
done in a business like manner.
MI Hale-Iwould like toinquire whether he Com
missioners have the data at hand to inform the CON-
mittee Of the amount of expenditures in money and
the contracts covered by the operations Cf the
Commission and in relation To the amount of the
fund created by law!
Mr. PARISHES we will be able to show YOU all
that. OF course the amount Of money on hand will
be sort OF approximate, because the taxes are not
all paid and the law provides that We base them
upon the value of property. We will be able to
show you all We have done, all our contracts, how
much has been done, what the amount is, and what
we might expect as reye-ue wish to state here
that the Commission particularly desires
animation Of lis action, and without any disposition
on your part 10 screen from any mafessauce in
office any bad judgment in anything Just
bring us right ous to the public. Aud while
We are not throwing down any challenge at all, it
is desire to have fair, square, impartial exami-
nation Of all our works and transaction This
kind Of work had occasion to decuss considerably
last winter before committees. asserted then, and
| reiterate here, that this is a work of too much
magnitude to be accomplished by any trick
If the result is to be of any teneft to
the State it must extend over 4 series
Of years, and it must be done in q conscientious,
square manner This measure went through last
winter its merits, and expect it to stand upon
its merits and present 1t to you in such manner
that you will be convinced and that the Legislature
will be convinced that il ought to be continued,
otherwise we can stop now. Therefore we desire
thorough examination of our transactions.
After some further discussion among members of
the committee and explanation by Mr.. Parks of
the method in which the werk was planned ard eX-
ecuted by the engineers and directors the commit
tee adjourned until Thursday evening at half past