The record-union., 1891-02-12
KLAMATH RIvER

The Senate took up the first special
order for the afternoon-the bill repeal
ing the Act declaring Klamath River
nayigable.
Mr.. MCGOWAN said the purport of the
bill was to give hydraulic miners the
privilege of using the riveras a dumping
place for their debris. He entered his
solemn protest thereto in the interest of
the agricultural industy of that section.
At the request of Mr.. Goucher, Mr.. Nc
Gowan repeated some of the arguments
used by him on former occasion when
the former was absent. These related to
the fact of the navigability of the river
for several miles from its mouth.
Mr.. Campbell of Siskiyou replied to
Mr.. McGowan. and read from reports of
civil engineers in support. of his asser-
ton that the river is practically innavi-
gable. He said that for several months
in the year salmon, once inside the bar,
cannot go either .up or down the river,
owing TO the sandbars.
Mr.. Ostrom opposed the bill in the in
terest of the agricultural and mercantile
industries along the river near its mouth
He also dwelt upon the ill-effects of hy-
draulic mining generally upon agricult-
ural industries OF the State.
The merits of the question were further
argued by Messrs. Campbell, McGowan
and Mead.
The debate attracted considerable at
tention throughout the greater portion of
the afternoon, the lobby being crowded
while it was in progress. During the APP
peal of Mr.. Mead in behalf Of the miners,
MIR. Wilson interrupted him, asking:
Did your debris come down upon our
lands, or did our lands go up upon your
debris ?''
Mr.. Mead replied that the facts would
have 20 answer for themselves. Continu-
ing. he argued that in forty years the
mining on the Klamath River had done
70 damage at its mouth. He denied that
the mining industry was an invasion
upon any rights. rs it was the original
industry of the State.
The debate closed with extended re-
marks by Mr.. Goucher, who said heoWed
the Senate an apology for having precipi-
tated the discussion. He concluded with
n humorous reference to the conflicting
character OF the arguments presented by
either side. He said il had been shown
to his satisfaction that no injury had re-
suited TO the river by the mining on its;
headwatoTs. lie favored the protection
of agricultural sections against injury by
mining, but held that the point was not
at issue in the case under consideration.
The roll was called. and by vote of q
ayes to Ii noes, the bib was passed.
Mr.. McGowan changed his vote, before
| the roll was called, from no to aye. and
gave notice ola motion 70 reconsider.
MUTUAL INSURANCE.
In accordance with his notice given on
yesterday, MIR. McGowan moved the re-
consideration of the vote whereby the
| mutual insurance bill was defeated.
| Mr.. Berry spoke in favor of reconsider
alton. He claimed that the question was
one between farmers and others and other
other propert y-oTneTs and the existing
insurance corporations. The former
merely asked to be allowed to conduct
their own affairs in their own way.
MesSrs. Crandall and Ostrom also spoke
in favor of reconsideration, and of the
! bill.
| The vote on reconsideration stood-ayes
| 10, noes u, and the bill was lost.
SPECIAL ORDERS POSTPONED.
| On motion of Mr. Bailey, s. B's2, lf
and Il, relating to electric railways, lay
| ing tracks and operating street railways,
were made the special order fer Monday,
after the reading OF the journal.
SUNDAY LAW CONSIDERATION.
On motion Of Mr.. Carpenter, the use OF
the Senate chamber for the evening was
accorded 20 the Joint Committees of the
Senate and Assembly on Public Morals,
to hear arguments in favor of Sunday
law.
THE FISHERY BILL.
On motion Of Mr. belong, S. z. 2l4, re-
| lating TO the close season for ssaiulon and
shad-fShing, was amended by substitute
| ing the 10TH day OF jane for the 3Ist day
day OF July, and the 18th day OF August
for the lst daysot September.
AT 4:45 P. NJ. the Senate adjourned.