Sacramento daily record-union. [volume] (Sacramento [Calif.]) 1875-1891, 1884-04-25
GENERAL NEWS.
rsrrc1AL DISPATCHES TO THE nEconD-usros.l,
DOMESTIC.


The Sacramento River in Congress.
WASHINGTON, April 24th.-The Pacific Coast
members of Congress appeared before the Honse
Committee on Rivers and Harbors yesterday IN
relation 10 the appropriations asked for by the
engineers in charge of Improvements i'll Califor-
mia and Oregon and Washington Territory. SEN
ators Farley and Dolph and Representatives
Budd, Henley, Tully, Glascock and George, and
Delegate Brents, were present. Budd made a
long argument i'll favor of an appropriation TO
impound the debris and for a levee on the Sac
ramento river as recommended by Colonel
Mendell in his report for 1880. He dwelt at
length upon the ruin likely to result to Sacra-
mento from freshet and described the depl0r-
able condition of affairs at present In 1881
Mendell recommended an expenditure of $780,
900 on the construction of wing dams and levees,
but in his report this year he states that $4,000
is all that he required to continue the operations
of the snag-boat. Budd criticised this change of
base, and attributed ii TO decision of the United
States Circuit Court permanently enjoning by
draulic miners. But he thought there was more
necessity for the Government taking up the
work now than before that decision. According
to Mendells report there were 319,000000 cubic
yards of debris still lodged around the head
waters of the Sacramento and Feather rivers,
and 10 wait until it was all washed into san
Francisco Bay would cause damage that could
never be repaired.
Senator Farley urged the committee to con-
slider the importance of the Sacramento river as
the regulator of interstate commerce in Califor-
MIA and as means of keeping down charges by
rail and while he did not want the river and
harbor bill swelled beyond an amount that
would not be approved by the public, he urged
the committee not to overlook the Importance
of inpOunding debris III the Sacramento and
Feather river canyons.
Glascock and Henley explained that at the
time Mendell had given up the idea of asking
the United States TO impound the debris, the
state had passed a law to do the work itself, and
it was thought the problem would be solved, but
that legislation had been declared uncOnstitu-
tiOnal. and the matter was in its original posi-
ton. If the river was to be saved, the Govern
ment must save it.
Thomas of Illinois, member of the commit
tee, who said he owned u portion of Iuba
county hydraulic mine, and therefore spoke
feelingly, gave his experience OF Il trip along
the river some years ago He Endorsed Budd's
description as accurate
In reply to questions by Willis, Budd stated
that he would ask for the amount recommended
by the engineers III 1881, which was 100000.
GlascOck also spoke upon the condition of the
Sacramento and Feather rivers, and described
the gradual shOaling of Suisun bay.
United States Senate.
WASHINGTON, April 2ith.-The Chair laid be-
fore the Senate communication from the At
torney-General requesting that immediate pro-
vision be made by joint resolution of Congress
for the United States Courts The sum recon-
mended is $4,000. The Acknowledgement states
that the Courts are i'll session all over the
country, and no money is paid jurors or wit
neSSeS.
The Chair laid before the Senate unfinished
business, being the bill to provide Bureau of
Animal Industry, and TO suppress cattle diseases.
After debate, the Senate adjourned.