The record-union., 1891-05-10

this subject will be began too early.
Indeed, we are of the opinion that now
is the time to prepare for renewed pre-
sentation of the subject. Governor
Markham has introduced the matter by
its direct presentation to the chief ex-
ecutive officer of the nation, and it may
not be too much to hope for, that he will
become interested in it enough, when all
the facts are laid before him, to advise
the proper department to especial indus
try in examination of the subject, and
recommendation of measures that may
be found to be necessary.
1t is greatly to be regretted that when
Secretary of War Proctor was upon the
coast few weeks ago, he was not invited
to visit at least the lower reaches of the
river, and see for himself the danger that
threatens the most important stream of
the State. The engineers report, made
under the Act creating the late commits
sion for preliminary examination, did
not recommend all we had hoped for.
But so far as it went, its suggestions are in
the right direction. Army engineers in
civil work of this character are pro-
verbally cautious and technically pre-
else in remaining within the letter of their
would have been much better for the
cause of the river. Another board for
accurate survey and detailed estimation
must, OF course, be appointed. The late
board was but preliminary, and did not
haye instructions to go into the matter
thoroughly. It will be wise, therefore, to
begin even now, to show to the War De-
partment the necessity for a board to
make detailed survey as basis of
action that will be necessary when the
works already recommended shall have
been completed-assuming that Congress
will make the appropriations advised.
The reason for thus early considering
further Improvement is apparent. The
more rapidly we can push the matter,
and the larger the appropriation we can
secure for comprehensive and early treat
ment of the stream the better, since the
history. of past enterprises teaches us that
the danger in all such schemes is in fire.
quent calls upon Congress. No matter
how benignant the work, how beneficent
the scheme, and how absolutely neces-
sary the improvement, if the calls for its
promotion are made frequently, and year
after year, there grows up a sentiment
that the work is job, or that it is a Sec
tional drain, or that the locality
Immediately affected is presump-
tioUs in its demands - in short,
the country grows weary Of repetitive
calls for even the most highly meritorious
public work. The claim for Federal i'm
provement of the Sacramento River must
encounter such a peril if it is permitted
to become long drawn-out claim. 1t is
the part of wisdom, therefore, to make a
"push'' for treatment of the river with all
POoo4D4O f4SOAs etIA W p4 CoC1IL l41C 4lill
need of the case to Congress at one time;
to boldly say to the nation that large
sum of money is necessary; that series
of years will elapse before all that should
be done can be accomplished, and
that it is true economy to grasp the whole
problem at once and to lay out the lines
for the treatment of the river compre-
hensively.
1t will be better policy, we think, than
to be coming up annually for additional
appropriations. At least no harm can be
done by adoption Of the broader policy,
even it is disapproved by Congress,
since it will at least reveal to the country
the magnitude of the interests involved,
the Importance of the stream, and the
view that it is taken in California of the
duty of the Federal Government con-
cerning the river.