Sacramento daily record-union. [volume] (Sacramento [Calif.]) 1875-1891, 1886-07-17
THE EXTRA SESSION.

Ii is possibly as well that the irrigation |
question shall be put out of the way prior |
to the fall elections. This consideration
alone might be said to justify the call. But
there is another reason. The question has
assumed such proportions, so involves the
peace of the State, and is, in certain sec
tions. so entirely the one engrossing topic
of public thought, that if projected into
the regular session next winter, it would |
entangle itself with all other legislative
business, clog the progress Of other needed |
legislation, and result in most undesira-
bic state of the public finances and the
public mind. The experience of the
"slickens question in the Legislature jus
tiies this fear.
Extra sessions, however, as rule, are to
he condemned but as trees are to be
Judged by their fruits, We must await the
labors of the new legislative session. 1t Is
possible for speedy, wise and sedate action
to be had. In common with all we'll
wishers of the State we hope this will be
the case. We are not minded to belittle
the Importance of the irrigation question
one whit. None can more desire its salts
factory settlement than this journal; no
influence more sincely or enthusiastically
believes in irrigation systems for California
valleys and foothills than the RECORD
UNION. Thirteen years ago it began in
quiry into the subject, and was among the
pioneers in diffusing intelligence concern
ing it, and in collating the Typographical
facts relative to water storage, and the d.
version and use of streams not necessary
for the purposes of navigation. The
REcoRD-UNIoN has had, however, no "pet
schemes :" ii has favored storage, after the
Indian system, as one of the most feasible,
and the best in which the State could
engage as State. But 1t has
not tied up" to any special ideas,
for the reason that it has recognized
from the outset the conflict between the
riparian doctrine and the appropriation
system, both being recognized by the
Courts in this State, the inheritance OF
differing heritages, the requests of two
widely dissimilar ancient systems. The
conflict has eliminated precisely as was
anticipated, and the Legislature is now to
be convened, with remarkable haste, to
undertake herculean task. The most re-
grettable thing about it all is that there Is
an absence of calm in the influences that
have brought about the call for the extra
session. Clearly the parties moving 10 1t
mean that there shall be legislation OF but
one kind There is not indicated any dis
position to make any compromises. 1t is
demanded that all things shall yield be-
fore the force evolved by the friends of
appropriation, and this disposition is met
by one precisely counter from the opposite
direction 1t is rare that wise legislation
is evolved from popular heat. The ex-
cited demand for the revocation of any APP
plication of the riparian doctrine to CALI
fornia, and for the immediate reorganiza
ton of the Supreme Court because OF Its
Interpretation of the law of water rights,
will not be mistaken by legislators. Dis
guise it as one may, it has the tone OF a
threat. Let us hope that this menaclng,
this apparent attempt at coercion, that the
senseless declaration "Those who are not
for us are against us" will cease, and that
the Legislature will be permitted
to act with that deliberation and
calm and freedom from undue influence
out of which only good can come. 1t is
not necessary now to review the preamble
of the Governors proclamation, since
there is no appeal from his judgment in
this matter But his reference to the Su-
preme Court is noteworthy as ingenious.
A majority of the Court has become OBJ
noxious to the advocates of appropriation
by reason of the recent riparian decision.
The demand is that these Judges be re-
moved. The Governor advises the Legis-
lature TO this action, but not by way OF
mpeachment-not at all possible to be
maintained-but by the suggestion that
the Court is unwieldly; its department
system is failure; its business is in ar
rears; its salaries are insufficient; there
fore the way to correction of these ills
is to abolish the Court by amendment of
the organic law and the establishment of a
new appellate tribunal by like method.
This Executive charge of the entire fail
ure of so much of that charming instru,
ment, "the new Constitution" will recall
with amused interest the one-time acri
monious debate concerning the beauties
snd virtues of document that has been
under fire from the hour of its birth. Let
us hope for the very best from the extra
session.