The record-union., 1891-01-13

was member of the Executive Commit
tee which had drawn up the bill, he had
not met with them and had not seen the
bill till it had be, II read yesterday after
noon. He had 1T changed his views on
the subject, and believed that the conven-.
ton was established for no other purpose
than the possibility of fixing the respon-
sibility on the General Government.
Mr.. Platt was about to remark that he
thought the point of order was well taken
when Mr. Rose, of Colusa, asked permits
sion to say few words.
SENATOR ROSES VIEWS.
81 must confess said he, s.that this is
very singular proceeding, when a man
gets up and, after making long argu-
ment on point of order, asks that the
Chair decide without hearing the other
side. l desire to say this. that the condition
OF the country year ago was one of over
flow and disaster. But for this condition
the convention would not havebeen called.
The people were suffering from Hood and
they wanted TO relieve themselves. 1t
was important that they appeal to the
General Government for aid. There was
no Legislature in session ut the time the
Boards of Supervisors of the over1loWed
districts appointed the delegates to the
convention, but Congress was. We took
N
any plan propored for the carrying out of
our purposes. Some general system of
reclamation was needed in the entire
State, for a hundred of millions Of dollars
were lying dormant in the heart of the
State. The movement which we pro-
posed, namely, to seek aid from the State,
Will not endanger the aid which we ex-
pect from Congress. l do not believe the
members of this convention who are op-
posed to considering the bill We're bound
by iron-clad rules not to consider the
question of obtaining State aid"
WOULD DO NO HARM.
Doctor Dixon said he did not under
stand by any means that the convention
was restricted solely to the matter of de-
yising means for obtaining aid from the
Federal Government. The Executive
Committee had worked day and night in
preparing the bill for the good of the peo-
pie living in the valleys of the State
There were two things to be considered.
The first was that which devolved on
Congress to dredge out the rivers and
make the streams navigable, and the see
ond was that (which would naturally fall
on the State, to care for the swamp lands
and establish q system of drainage for
them. The State should fortify the work
of the Government by draining the lands
and strengthening the levees. He
thought the bill should be fairly consid-
CIcll dfltt bilcIl IL tIlc CONVENTION tIOOSGJ,
it could vote it down.
Mr.. Barry Of Sutter County said he had
no objection to considering the bill as an
individual and citizen, but he did OBJ
ject to considering it as a delegate ap-
pointed by his Board of Supervisors.
The measure was never contemplated by
them, and he believed that two years
hence would be a more opportune time
to discuss the bill. He favored the point
of order as made by Mr.. Leake.
E. III. Wilbur and others spoke against
considering the bill, and others believed
that it was pertinent matter and was
important.
THE BILL KNOCKED OUT.
Chairman Platt ruled that the point of
order as made, was well taken.
! Mr.. Rose appealed from the ruling of
the Chair, but upon a vote it was suS-
| tained.
| A motion was then made that the con-
vention request the Legislature to appoint
a committee of three from each house to
lend aid to the Government Board of En-
gineers in the work of finding out the
needs of the rivers.
A lively discussion ensued and the mo-
ton was lost by about a two-thirds vote.
Secretary Grunsky, by request, read the
resolution introduced by AsSemblyman
Clark last Thursday reviewing the condi-
ton of the Sacramento River and advis-
ing that means be obtained to improve it.
!, 1t was ordered that the sentiment of the
resolution be indorsed.
On the suggestion of Senator Dray,
committee OF three was appointed to see
that any resolutions or bills passed by
the Legislature would get to Washington.
Mr.. Platt appointed Eugene J. Greg
ory and Ed Leake, land, the convention in
| sisting, he consented to serve ON the
committee himself.
Doctor Dixon wanted to know how the
| funds at the disposal of the convention
! stood. He said he thought the committee
OF seven appointed at the afternoon ses-
sion to assist the engineers in obtaining
information as regards the needs of the
| river would incur some expense, and he
did not believe there was much money in
the treasury.
Treasurer Eugene J. Gregory informed
the convention that there was left S24 IL.
WE'LL GO FOR THE SUPERVISORS.
Several of the delegates present offered
| to contribute from their own pockets, but
Doctor Dixon moved that the members
ask the Boards of Supervisors of their
respective counties to make liberal ap-
preparation toward defraying the ex-
penses of the convention. The motion
was carried.
Upon motion of Mr.. Gregory, it was
ordered that vote of thanks be rendered
the gentlemen who constituted the dele
cation who went to Washington and sue
ceeded in getting Congress to appoint the
Board OF Engineers to examine the rivers
| in the State.
A vote of thanks was also rendered the
officers of the convention, after which the
| meeting adjourned, subject to the call of
| the Chair.
THEY WILL ASSIST.
| The following seven gentlemen were
| appointed committee to consult with the
Government Engineers and give them
such information as they desired con-
cerning the condition of the rivers: Doctor
| Dixon, Wm. Johnston. Eugene J. Greg
ory, Marsden Manson OF San Francisco,
George Ohleyer of Yuba City, DR.. Stone
| OF Marysville, a. III. Rose of Colusa, and
A. r. Briggs of San Francisco.
The committee organized last evening
by electing the following officers: Presi-
dent, Doctor Dixon; Vice President,
Wm. Johnston; Secretary, Marsden Man
son; Treasurer, Eugene J. Gregory.