Sacramento daily record-union. [volume] (Sacramento [Calif.]) 1875-1891, 1889-05-04

DSCh hCPt as aim . AShSeh -
Congressional committees, and are seldom
received with favor by those bodies.
Representatives in Congress are rarely en-
gineers, and therefore are not able to present
the cases of the rivers strongly. We have
not, as they have in England and in
France, civil engineers regularly connected
with river and harbor works, the Govern
ment engineers being uniformly military
engineers, and not given the opportunity
to inform themselves upon river reclama-
ton and preservation and kindred work.
These are the difficulties recited in the
report with which the river question in
California is confronted, and TO remove
them the report suggests that we should
have in Washington such representation as
will be able to present the technical mat
tiers involved clearly; to persistently push
the equitable claims of California rivers !;
TO elaborate upon the greatness of the
interests involved, and to make clear the
benefits that must flow from proper and
early treatment of the rivers; to illustrate
the entire subject with maps and drawings !;
to prepare and supply the necessary data
for the information of Congress and to ex-
plain the engineering possibilities. As to
the Commission of Army Engineers already
appointed, the report contends that such
C,p, &c - o,,J
report upon the old lines only, and cannot
take up the question of arterial drainage
and the complete study of the river prob
lem. If Congress can be induced TO act in
the premises as suggested, there must then be
appointed permanent Board to plan and
carry out the work.
Mr.. Hall advises that the State Com
mission proceed with its examination with
the view of action by Congress being the
ultimate outcome; that the Commission
avail itself of all data collected; that it
inquire into and inspect the condi-
ton of the streams, and compare
the results with earlier surveys; ascertain
the amount of leveeing and reclamation
work along the rivers, and make up an
account of food phenomena from surveys
of the past and other data.
In brief, these are chief topics treated in
the report. They are full of matter for
profound consideration, and should have
it. Mr.. Halls views on the subject of
river restoration were well known, but he
is now acting in new official capacity,
and his report is to receive the approval
or the adverse criticism of his associates
upon the Commission. We present this
extended sketch of the salient features of
the suD-report, reserviDg comment upon it.
THERE has been a great deal more of
concern felt over the growing indifference
to the Sunday, the one day in seven, than
has been confessed 1t has not been con-
fined to the church people alone, but has
permeated many circles that move distinct
from church association. The sentiment
referred to has not run counter to such
rational use of the day as good taste, the
demands for change and the necessities of
rest and recuperation dictate, even when
these are manifest by indulgence in reas-
enable amusements But it has been
strong in opposition to the turning of the
day into one of boisterous sport, carousal
and rowdyism. The strength oe the pro-
testing sentiment was made manifest re-
Gently in San Francisco against the
Sunday picnic, and operated so efectu-
ally as to enlist the cooperation of
the chief lines of transportation of
that city. In the East more recently
the evidence of the existence of strong
public sentiment favoring quiet on the
Sabbath and some variation from the
ruder activities of other days, has been
manifest in the order Of the railroad lines
controlled by the Vanderbilt interest, by
which observance of Sunday is directed by
such cessation of labor as it is possible to
secure without breaking up the connec-
lions of the week. Several other railroad
lines at the East have resolved to CO.
operate in the movement, and it seems
likely to become general among the great
carrier companies.
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