Sacramento daily record-union. [volume] (Sacramento [Calif.]) 1875-1891, 1881-03-05
THE DEBRIS QUESTION.
Speech Of Mr.. Mcclure, Delivered Monday
Evening, February 2sth.

IN discussing THIS great question We must neces-
sariy deal with two classes OF problems First, the
practical or engineering problems; second, the
politico- economical problems.
]. The measure now under discussion proposes to
repeal law passed at the last session of the Legsa
ture 10 meet, as was supposed, great public neces-
sity In reviewing the field of practical engineer
ing inquiry are to ask:
"a Was there ever necessity for the passage of
that Act7 What was it, and does that necessity
still exist1
o. Can this great engineering problem be solved
(c) Does this law put in operation proper ma
cbinerg for its solutionf
Ii We can answer these queries in the affirmative,
must conclude then, that the drainage law
should stand as II Is, unless some grave objection
can be found 10 it in the politco economical aspect
OF the case. unless some gross injustice is done,
some innocent interest Of great magnitude made to
suffer witho commensurate return.
III. Considering this measure from the standpoint
of the political economist the statesman the egis
later, We ask :
"a VIVA. solutions OF this question are possible
d Does the welfare of California demand an
engineering solution Of the whole subject? Are the
benefits % be derived from such luton common
surate with is cost Can California afford to dis
pense with proper engineering treatment of her
rivers
(c) are the principles of this Drainage Ac,
measurably lust
d. Does it contain proper safeguards for its just
application and honest Administrations
e II desirable could the operation OF this Law
he arrested now without great loss the people oil
this slater
After replying to these questions, as we think
they should be answered. it only remains inquire
Has the execution OF this law been intrusted &c
proper persons
l. The engineering question Was there even
necessity for the passage Of the Drainage Act
What was IL: And does it still exist?
IN speaking to this question, it Will be necessary
to recount briefly some of the circumstances which
led up u its passage. The agitation concerning
the damage done by hydraulic mining had made
itself felt within these halls at each session of the
Legislature in greater or less degree from lS6465
down to lS77-7s. At first it sounded only as a cry
from some solitary representative of a small injured
community, on the luba or Bear river, and though
gradual y Increasing in volume from year to year
and Receiving little more attention each time il
always parJook OF the character of personal com.
plant aud the subject was treated as a local issue
Our legislators failed to realize the fact that broad
tounda ION Tor gigantic State question being
laid. We mad no organizations TO look after the
peoples interest in the public property-the streams
of the state, no officer charged with the duty OF
diagnosing the idisease that was de ,eoping, pre-.
dieting the probable extent Of its effects and
ing attention 10 10 as State matter.
During he session of lS77-7S the irrigation inter.
est in the southern part of the State demanded some
legislation. IL was proposed 10 form Board Of Irri-
CATION commissioners and give them power to APP
point engineers to inquire into irrigation matters
A the same time the swamp land nter ests were de.
handing legislation OF a somewhat similar charac-
ter just then spralg up the memorable agitation
concerning the debris question, which was headed
by Mr. Berry (since elected to Congress) and an in
veslcation by legislative committee was insti-
tuted
As the result OF these several propositions and as
"A compromise measure, law authorizing the APP
pOintment of q State Engineer was passed Besides
InquiIing into the problem of irrigation and reca-
NATION and river improvement il other parts OF the
State, this officer specially charged by the law
with the duty of devising some plan whereby the
injuries caused by the uw OF detritus or debris from
the mines could be averted q" without interfering
with the working OF such mines" Take notice Mr.
Speaker, without interferii with the working Of
such mines (section 4, sub. s, chap 429, Statutes
IS77-S pug 635C
" Eighth The state Engineer shall also inquire
into the relation which hydraulic mining bears to
the navigation of the rivers, and TO their carrying
capacity 10 inquire into the question OF the flow OF
debris from the mines into the watercourses of the
State; TO ascertain the amount and value of apri.
cultural lands aud Improvements which have been
covered up or injured by the overflow or deposit OF
debris coming from the hydraulic and other mines
III the sacramento valley, and to devise a plan
whereby the injuries caused thereby can be avered
without interfering with the working of such
mines
The norable gentleman from San Luis 'Obispo,
kr. MURPHY. was NJ that time member Of the SEN
ate which passed that law He voted for it in all its
Stages He evidently then realized the necessity for
doing something III this matter-the great necessity
Tor Wardlng on or preventing this injury, and wth-
out interfering with the working of the mines =" [
might leave it TO him. therefore, Mr. Speaker TO ex-
plain the point | am now speaking to-that of the
necessity for doing something to stop the ravages
resulting from the flow OF detritus, without inter
EeTiug with the miuss-but that he has changed his
Jews this point and returned here this winter
qeat on striking down everything connected with
his project
To return to my subject In January, 1880, the
state Engineer, rs in duty bound by the law under
which ne WAS appointed, submitted a re ort to the
effect that the object aimed in the matter of the
eorls problem could be best accomplished, far as
MS examination went, through the agency of dams
IN holding back the sands and gravel the flats at
sbe mouths OF the main tributary streams of the
valley This plan had received the Endorsement Of
General Alexander and Colonel Mendell consulting
engineers, and has since received that Of Mr. Eads
one of the most renowned civil engineers the world
has ever produced.
Concerning the necessity for holding back the
sands, find She following in the report mentioned
<see Part IL. PIP. 72-74J:
First-The alley rivers already much deficient
IN capacity to carry the waters of ordinary foods
ere annually, in the most important divisions be-
corning less capable OF performing this duty
Seeond-Ihe great primary cause of this deteri-
Grafton OF the channels is the flow OF the sands from
canyons INTO which IKE mining detritus is dumped
"Seventh-The presence of sand in the upper
rivers, whence It is liable to be brought down in
quantities, impairs the confidence which ought to
exist in the success of whatever plans may be pro-
ected to regulate and facilitate the drainage of the
valley ana hence 1t sdou5ly important to ward off
the danger
Eighth-H the deposit of detritus in the
streams were to cease at once, yet would it be neces
sary to restrain in the canyons and in the tributary
streams below the canyons that which is already
there ana stop the now OF sands therefrom, in
order that we may count with any considerable de-
gree OF certainty upon the efficiency and perma
nance OF drainage works in the valley
Tenth-The restraint of the sand in the can
yOns, and the deposits along the tributary streams
below the canyons, admit of no delay. 1t Is the
irst objective point in the restoration and improve
ment of the carrying capacity of the valley streams
Let us remember, Mr.. Speaker, that this report
was brought about through the passage of a law
at the lnstgatOn Of the farmers of the Sacramento
valley generally, but particularly those of Suffer and
fuba counties. Let US remember that previous to
this report being made the miners )uty denied that
they were doing any great amount of damage (See
testimony taken before the Debris Committee ses-
sion lS77-7s)
The report OF the State Engineer was replete with
evidence thst the damage was the result OF the flow
of sands and gravel from the mines, which filed
the channels Of the streams, caused the waters to
spread, and by thus spreading deposit their finer
sums on the adjacent lands The people of the val
ley were satisfied that justice had been done in this
matter the miners yielded the point they
acknowledged the wrong and damage to the farmers
and streams, and the question went forth, What
are we 60 do about it p
The engineers had said /: a. The sands and gravel
must be Kept out Of the large rivers-the Feather
and the Sacramento. ~ The danger could be
warded of in great degree at least without radi.
cal interference with existing interests - and 81
That works for this purpose must be built, whether
hydraul c mining be stopped or hot, to hold the
heavy material already subject to the wash of the
floods tSee Part ?, P. "a : Part g. p. A. State En-
gineer's report, January, IS80)
They said this work would be expensive, and must
necessarily extend through series of years. to pr
duce any very appreeiable results He who will
look over the testimony Of Colonel Mendel and Mr..
Hall, given in this chamber Def re the Assembly
Committee on Water Rights and Drainage, year
ago. will that this point was fully brought out
and find in the report of Mr. Hall part H., D. 75)
these significant paragraphs:
This is a.subjecl of great scope and importance,
directly affecting the welfare and prosperity of a
large portion of the people of the State, and the
problems involved are of the gravest character so
that their solution cannot be arrived at or fully
marked out even, in year"
Remedial works can only he carried out by de-
grees and the detail of treatment which the subject
must receive can only be determined upon finally
as the partial results attained point out the way
There is no effort at coneealment here-the case is
shown in its broadcast light Something must be
done, and begun quickly too. 1t will take long
time, and cost much money, is substantially what
was said. 1t was not said that it would do no good