Sacramento daily record-union. [volume] (Sacramento [Calif.]) 1875-1891, 1881-01-04

educational instrumentaIities.
The State Board of Agriculture constitutes the
head OF most important department of the State
Government 1t is the organ through which public
encouragement given to that general intelligence
SO hopeful to progress and indispensable TO success
The practical education of the producing classes
has the highest economic value, and most import
ant department of this higher education is COM
mitted to the State Board of Agriculture. Appreci
ating the industrial value Of the rapidly growing
interests OF wine producing, the legislature at its
last session, passed Act " For the promotion of
the viticultural industries of the State" This Act
created Board OF nine Commissioners OF viticult
ure, and made liberal appropriation to enable
that Board to discharge Its duties. The Gen.
trail object sought to be attained was the dis
semination OF intelligence relating to the cu-
tvation and protection OF the vine and the
curing of raisins, and the manufacture of wine
The policy OF this Act has been thought
to establish precedent furnishing all needed just-
fcation for the creation of similar commissions in
the interest of horticultural products generally and
leading agricultural productions, and even blood
horses and cattle commissions. beg leave to COM
mend to the earnest attention of your honorable
body the obvious consideration that the creation of
all such commissions is at variance with the theory
underlying the Act OF the State in creating State
Board Of Agriculture. If the theory leading to the
adoption of the policy underlying the creation OF q
new department OF agricultural education and Gre
ating State Board of Agriculture charged with its
general administration can be maintained by valid
economic reasons, the subdivision OF the duties i'm
sions endowed with full discretion to the manner
of their discharge, ia a practical notification OF
that theory. The State cannot equitably accord to
single important interest the valuable auxiliary Of
special commission and deny similar service to
other interests Of equal Importance. Nor can it
consistently with due regard for economic govern
meut subdi' de the various special departments of
eld, orchard garden cultivation, and stock raising,
and provide each of these with special commission
In my Judgment the whole field Of State encourage
ment and assistance in this important branch OF
public education, should be covered by the creation
OF single department. with a single body charged
with its administration. II further legislation,
bearing upon these interests, is contemplated, |
would respectfully commend to your attention the
comforting of such further powers and extending OF
such additional aid to the State Board of Agricut
will enable that body to discharge all the du
ties the State may to these separate interests
a measure both OF wise economy ami greater
efficiency
While approving of State aid to the societies
named, | think that some provision should be
enacted in the law that will inhibit the several
socations from allowing the practice OF gambling
and various games Of chance to be carried on
within the Enclosures set apart for the annual State
and District Fairs, and on ground over which the
Boards exercise control. If the State intends to
dignity these societies by authorizing their manage
ment by officers appointed by the Governor, and
lends encouragement by liberal appropriations III IS
manifestly duty to guard against fragrant viola
ton ot the statutes against gambling. The State,
being associated with the State and District Fairs
for the objects for which they were instituted, can
not be disassociated from the vice they tolerate and
permit The subject has been a cause OF much
severe public criticism. aud es7ecially from among
the visitors to the annual fair. The citizen who,
with his family, comes from the quiet OF his nome
and farm to receive the information these exhibit
tions implrt should not be compelled to witness
these violations of the spirit OF the law, not the
letter much less should the young, who frequent
the grounds for amusement recreatlon be SUD-
ject to the temptation thus publicly fiaunted at
every turn.
IMMIGRATION.
also respectfully call the attention of your hon.
orahe body to the existing necessity for an author
il d Commission OF Immigration. The highest in
terests of young and growing commonwealth like
Ours demand the services such commission alone
can render The tide of immigration to this State
has been wholly arrested for the pa five years.
This result has been due to misleading representa-
tons concerning the resources OF our state, as well
as to unavoidable differences drawn from turbulent
agitation OF the Chinese question. The National
Government having undertaken solution OF that
yexed problem, we have full confidence that the evil
will soon be question of the past
believe there could rot be better time than the
present for the State to impart information to those
seeking homes, the great resources OF our State,
and the inducement it offers to thrifty immigrants
to come and settle in this wonderful State.
We may give this reliable information with but
very little expense to the State. Let the district
agricultural societies (Which are receiving State ad)
appoint committee from their Board Of Trustees
Society the land for sale i'll their respective loca-
ties the price demanded therefor, nature Of soil,
productive qualities, proximity to market, and any
other items OF interest necessary for the instruction
or information OF immigrants. On the receipt Of
such reports the Secretary OF the State Agricultural
Society should publish the same and cause them to
| be disseminated wherever there is a disposition
among desirable class of people who are contem-
plating the purchase of new homes The only ex-
pense attending this method would be In requiring
the Board OF Directors of the State Agricultural So
ciety to appoint competent person, who should
devote his entire time to this duty assistant to
its Secretary The State possessing its own print
ing office, could easily afford to perform that portion
| of the work.
The system once established and bearing the inn
press of the State to the correctness of the state
ents published would not be in the interest Of any
one particular rancho or colony, but all sections OF
the State would be encouraged TO prepare and give
to the proper authorities the desired information
| relating to their locality or county. l earnestly
recommend the above suggestion for your consider.
alton.
IRRIGATION.
have before called your attention to the fact that
agriculture is one of the great, not the greatest
resource of the State and IL should be fostered by
wise and liberal laws. There is large section OF
country in the southern part OF the State that can
not, for series OF years. be successfully farmed
without irrigation. Dry farming is sure, in
the end, to bring defeat to the man of humble
means, and land monopoly, with its attendant
evils and floating, unsettled population, is the
outcome. On the contrary, farming by irrigation Is
certain in its results. The owner of twenty acre
tract of fair irrigang land with good and sufficient
water right attached thereto is the owner OF home
on which he may make good liv g for himself and
family if he have industry and intelligence.
Our present laws not only do not provide for the
issuance of definite water rights, but they make
provision for the prevention OF waste, and no pro-
vision for the adequate organization to construct
irrigation works. Systematic and economical irri-
CATION is thus defeated, except where monopoly
gives full swing over the local field.
Men OF small means locking for homes are fright
ened away by this state of affairs, while large capt.
talists are offered premium as it were, to come in
and control a whole colony or county. Thus 1t ap
pears Il at the waters of our streams are being mo-
nopolized and in some quarters irrigation IS work
ing as an ally to speculative farming, to crush out
the small land owners. | respectfully suggest that
Won SO consider the question, that our laws on this
subject will not be an impeachment to the practical
development of the lands OF the State; and that the
small homes will be encouraged to multiply and in.
crease Experience has shown that the doctrine OF
riparian ownership, early adopted IN this State and
still existing is not the principle which further
AGRICULTURAL developments can be hoT efully looked
for in the southern portion OF the State; and IL is
the province of legislation to so far modify the ex-
sting rule in its application to rrgabe sections as
will Justify continued investments In agricultural
| enterprises.
| It's claimed the remedy for the conflict will be
! found in the abrogation of this rule Of riparian
| rights as brought to from the old English COM
| mon-law system.
| But property rights have grown up under it TO
such an extent that awkward dilemma is pre-
scented under our Constitution, as well as that OF the
/ United States.
! H. then, this conflict between riparian owners
and the necessity of dry country for water for ir
rigation is really irrepressbe one, as 1t appears
| to be- the true course out OF the matter would
seem to be for the State to exercise her police power
to control the diversion Of the water from the
streams so that the rights of all shall be respected
and the water used in irrigation, far as 1t can be
without waste and without infringement Of rights,
| for which compensation is not made. The present
imperfect law certainly operates hardship as 1t is
productive of conflict and litigation between owners
! of land and water.
| Any arbitrary rule, therefore, by which the ma
terlal development of any considerable portion OF
the State is arrested is manifestly unjust as to
| invite legislative relief without further comment.
| therefore invite your careful consideration OF
this subject, in the hope that your wisdom will de-
wise some rule by which all conflict may be harmon
lied or avoided and the highest degree Of agrcult
ural development attained, consistent with the
| varied climatic conditions Of the State.
In considering this subject OF irrigation, the State
Engineer has undertaken, in his report, TO present
an outline of policy which the State should pursue
| towards this interest. He points out the stumbling
blocks In the way of advance in irrigation enter
prise and suggests in detail remedy for the exist
ing state of affairs As his suggestions are the re-
! suit of long and careful study OF the situation,
| aided BY consultation with those who have made
| the subject STUDY from legal as well from an
engineering and practical point of view commend
them for your reflection when considering this i'm
\ portant question.
STATE ENGINEER AND DRAINAGE.
! Under the law of March, 1878, organizing the de-
| partment of State Engineer, the problems Of irrgA-
| ton drainage and the effects OF hydraulic mining
a1fr,ira ri ipun intn