Sacramento daily record-union. [volume] (Sacramento [Calif.]) 1875-1891, 1889-12-23
LET A CONVENTION BE CALLED.

LEI Il Jun tENIlUN BE CALLEU.
The suggestion thrown out by the
REcoRD-UNIoN, that there should be taken
at this time concerted action to induce the
Federal Government to do its duty by the
Sacramento river, has been enlarged upon
by Mr. Alsip il letter published in the
REcoRD-UNIoN of Saturday, with the pro-
posal to call a Convention of representa-
tive men Of the river counties to memo
rialize Congress upon the subject.
1t is wise suggestion, and should be
acted upon forthwith. 1t makes no differ
ence whatever whether hydraulic mining
has wholly ceased or not; whether the
raising of the river bed is wholly due to
mining operations or in part to till
ing the soil; whether there are here
and there lone instances of those who VIC
late the injunctions of the Courts and I'M
lawfully niue; whether the deposits in
the canyons must or must not be re-
duty or the people resident along the
river theirs-for present purposes all these
questions should be set aside, and the one
and all-important consideration be the
stimulation of the Federal Government to
the doing of its duty.
The REooRD-UNIoN holds now, as it
always has, that the river is a free high
way, a heritage of the people of the ma
ton, and should by the nation be pre-
served. We have held that it was mis-
taken policy, as is now confessed by the
mass Of the people, to neglect the naviga-
bility of the river for any reason whatsc-
ever. 1t is the duty of the Federal Gov
eminent to devise and carry out
comprehensive scheme of river treatment,
harmonious and embracing all reaches Of
the stream, for the one and the only pur-
pose of improving and preserving its nav
liability. We have gone beyond that,
and still hold to the doctrine that when
the Government enters upon such work it
is its duty to see that its labors are not
overthrow by any sort of trespass. When
the Government begins the reclamation of
the river from its present impaired condi-
ton, if any one obstructs or impedes it, or
by any act undoes the work of the Gov
eminent through artificial processes, it is
the duly of the Government to resist such
trespasses, legislate against them, and to
use the entire strength of the Government,
if need be, to enforce its laws.
While it will be wise to do some present
work, such as piling and building tempo
rary barriers in the break on the Yolo
shore below ard opposite this city, that the
current during high water may be kept in
the channel and made TO do securing, it
would be waste of money to build up the
break 50 as to be stronger than the next
weak spot. A patchwork of that kind
can result in no permanent good, and
will but inspire confidence in and promote
investment by bank-land owners that will
result to their loss. What is wanted, we
repeat, is comprehensive treatment of the
river and that can be done by the Federal
Government only. 1t must be engaged in
with but one purpose in view, the restora-
ton of the navigability of the stream and
its perpetuation. No other scheme must
be permitted to mask behind it. The pol
icy that has obtained in the treatment of
the navigabie rivers of the East should
obtain here That much is due from the
Federal Government to California, and no
more than that do the people of the State
ask.
1t is therefore emiuently proper that the
residents Immediately along the line of
this great free highway should move in
the matter of memorializing Congress
upon the subject Since San Francisco,
the metropolis of the Coast, is intimately
related to the commerce Of the interior,
her business associations should be invited
and solicited to meet with the representa-
tiyes of the valley and counsel upon this
slhiect. We trust that our own Board
Trade will take the initiative in this mat
ter. since Sacramento is the chief city
upon the stream, and is profoundly inter
esttd in the conservation of its naviga-
bility. Now, while the public mind Is
stirred upon the question, is the time for
the consultation suggested. We entertain
the belief that such convention, calmly
and emphatically speaking, will receive
from the National Congress respectful
hearing, and that it will result in crafty
ing and early action.