Sacramento daily record-union. [volume] (Sacramento [Calif.]) 1875-1891, 1886-08-21

An unusual and extraordinary event in
Legislative history has taken place. The
California Legislature has been adjourned
to 4 time certain, by Executive interposi-
ton, and, we submit, without that prefa-
tory observance of courtesies that should
have obtained.
Divesting the subject of all heat and
prejudice it is to be said in perfect fair
ness that public sentiment Is divided upon
the policy and results of further continuing
the session. The friends Of appropriation
as the true method for securing the best
irrigation system, are hopeful of success
after the members of the Legislature shall
have returned from the political Conven-
tions and communion with their constitu-
cnts. Equally confident Of satisfactory
results are those who believe the true pol
icy Is that of State control, while the ex-
IRENE riparianists are satisfied that no
vested rights can be affected by any action
Of the Legislature whatever Perhaps
minority Of the members are convinced
that the better policy would have been ad-
journment she de
We have not great confidence that the
session will accomplish definite results in
the way of establishing an irrigation sys-
TEN. We have held and do believe the
subject too momentuous for present con-
elusive settlement, and that greater in
formation, broader inquiry and more ex-
haustiye debate among the people is needed
on the subject But, whatever the results
Of the session, the fact is undeniable that
advance is made by the discussion of the
question in the houses of the Legislature.
From that source the agitation has been
projected in form that has gained the
attention Of all the people, and informed
them broadly on matters of which the
masses had heretofore imperfect knowledge.
Aside from the rude conflict of selfish
interests, the vituperation, abuse and heat
that have been incidents of the debate, let
us not lose sight Of the great and over
shadowing fact that truth is being evolved,
public intelligence broadened, on vital
topic. and that opinions by attrition are
being ground into symmetrical form, and
plans and theories are being crystallized
into the practical, the feasible. A deal
Of scandal, and bitterness and vulgarity
and httleness has hung upon the skirts of
the session, but far-sightedness looks above
and beyond all petty strife, to the ultimate
arrival at the truth We have believed,
and do believe that this lies in the di-
rection OF State control that
will guard all vested rights, even
at the expense of the exercise of
the right of eminent domain, and that
will so conserve the need for broad and
comprehensive system of irrigation as to
equitably adapt to such use all possible
supplies of water and secure the complete
defeat Of all attempted monopolization of
that element. We are not, therefore, dis
posed to join in any hue and cry after the
Legislature or indulge in the usual post
legislative abuse, or to regard its past or
forecast future labor as labor lost For it
is out of such contentious as these that
progression is born.
But the Assembly did not, in securing
adjournment, treat the Senate with the
respect due it. 1t acted without that dig
nifed reserve that should characterize an
arm Of the supreme authority. The Sen
ate was embarrassed by the haste of the
House and Executive On one hand, and
the Assembly's apparent coercive DISPOSE
ton on the other For we do not think
that all proper legislative methods to
reach agreement to adjourn had been ex-
hausteCl. The Senate certainly has placed
itself on record as entertaining that view.
The Governor took executive notice of an
apparent disagreement that had not be-
come final. Executive and undignifed
haste, and a disposition by the Assembly
to COW, which its members probably now
regret, combined, in our opinion, to put an
indignity upon the Senate by peremptory
Propagation of the Legislature. 1t would
certainly have been the more orderly and
decent conduct for the Houses to have
communicated with each other, expressing
either desire for conference, or the use
lcssness of it, and then, jointly or singly,
to have notified the Executive, and have
either invoked his exercise of authority Or
have remained silent concerning it.