The record-union., 1891-01-13
RIVER IMPROVEMENT.
Reassenbiing Of the Convention, and
Some Warm Discussion.
A Proposition to Have the State
Reclaim swamp Lands IS
Not Approved.

since last winter.
Chairman p e. Platt called the conven-
ton to order, and stated that the session
was special one. called for the purpose
OF hearing the report of the Executive
Committee, and also consider the adyisa-
bility of requesting the Legislature to
make an appropriation for the improve
ment of the river banks. In conclusion,
Mr.. Platt said that, inasmuch as num-
Der of the delegates to the convention
were representing their respective dis
tricts at the Capitol. and could not attend,
it might be advisable to postpone the
meeting until evening.
The Chairman's idea, however, did not
meet with the approval of all those pres
ent. Some OF them said they had come a
long distance, and were anxious to get
through, so it was decided to go on with
the business before the convention.
Senator Rose, of ColuSa, moved that o
Legislative Committee of five be ap-
pointed, to consider the proposition of
petitioning the Legislature for an appro-
priation for the reclamation of lands along
the river banks.
THE FIRST OBJECTION.
1t had been whispered about prior to
the assembling of the delegates that the
meet with some opposition.
Mr.. Roses motion was productive of
the first kick"
Mr.. Berry, of Suffer County, took the
floor and said he considered the Senator's s
motion premature. A legislative COM
mittee should not be appointed until the
convention had determined the nature of
the legislation desired-if any legislation
was necessary. Such committee might
recommend something that did not suit,
and all its work would be lost.
DR.. g. NJ. Dixon, of this city, said he
understood the proposed committee was
only to act for the afternoon, and its duty
would not be to draw up any bill for the
Legislature.
After some further discussion, Senator
Rose Withdrew his motion.
EXECUTIVE COMMITTEES WORK.
The subject was then dropped tempo
rarily, and DIR. Dixon, Chairman OF the
Executive Committee, was asked for the
report Of that committee. He gave it
verbally. He said that the committee
went To work Immediately after the adj
jOurnment of the convention which ap-
pointed it, last winter, and collected data,
maps, etc, and the members placed
themselves in communication with the
California representatives. at Washington.
1t seemed at first that the committee
would have an easy task, but the MEM
found that the only way 10 get the atten-
ton of Congress to their desires was to
send 4 delegation there, so the river coun-
ties were asked for contributions for this.
Some of the counties responded magnan-
imously, but others did not. The delega-
ton went, however, and did good work.
He was sure that, had not the delegation
gone to Washington, the river improve
ment proposition would be no further
along than it was two years ago. Not
that the California Sepators and Repre-
sentatives did not give the matter the at
tention that they should, but because it
was uphill work and it was difficult to
attract the attention of Congress-.
THE WASHINGTON DELEGATES.
By request, Senator Rose and Mr..
Ohleyer gave the convention some infor-
nation regarding the manner in which
they, as members of the delegation that
went to Washington, worked and what
they accomplished. Both were satisfied
that all that could be done was ac-
complished, and that in the course of
time the river counties viii get what they
desire. The Government did things on
methodical and business principles, and
did not appropriate money for schemes
with which it was not thoroughly ac-
quainted. They considered that the Gov
ernment acted wisely in appointing a
Board OF Engineers to make surveys and
ColiiiAs'tto anu oulsEcSr lJidliS Dt1OIS dily
appropriation is made. The delegation
found that there was suspicion among
the Washington authorities that the
scheme was being gotten up to benefit q
few private interests, and it was difficult
to diSabuSe their minds of this suspicion.
Engineer Marsden Manson, of San
Francisco, who was also one of the dele
cation, made similar remarks.
G. i. Grunsky suggested that the prin-
cipal business now before the convention
was the providing of means of assisting
as much as possible the Board OF En-
gineers, which was TO report to Congress:
and next, the suggestion of any legislation
that might be necessary regarding any
work To be done by the State.
DIR. Dixon offered a resolution to the
effect that a committee of seven be ap-
pointed by the Chair, whose duty it
would be to assist the Board of Engineers
in the way of furnishing data and other
information. The resolution was adopted.
The Chair announced that the commit
tee would be appointed later.
THAT OBJECTIONABLE BILL.
@Senator Rose then suggested that the
proposition to put bill before the Legis-
1ation, be taken up. Most of them wished
to discuss the matter and wanted to get
through with it.
a roll of typewriter matter was pro-
duced from somebody inside pocket and
AllhISt W bottIcldIy 6Tt.1tSkN 10 read.
1t was very lengthy. 1t provided,
briefly, that the State should make large
appropriation for the purpose of reclaim-
ing swamp lands aud overfiowed dis
tricts-draining lands and STRENGTHENING
leyees.
After the reading of the bill the con-
yention took recess.
After the convention reassembled in
the evening, President Platt stated that
the evening would be devoted to the dis
cusslon of the proposed bill.
E. Z. Leake was the first to address the
assemblage. He said he did not believe
1t was in the province of the convention
to consider the bill at all. The members
We're not appointed to do any such thing
but to memorabilia Congress to make an
appropriation for preserving the naviga-
BILE streams of the State. He did not be-
lieye they had any authority to consider
the Dill which had been prepared.
NOT THE CONVENTIONS BUSINESS.
Mr.. Leake then asked permission to
read d paper prepared by George Ohleyer.
and he was allowed TO do so. Mr.. Ohleyer
used the argument that the convention
was called upon to act on a measure en-
tirely foreign to the purpose for which il
was constituted. The State had no inter-
est IN the matter of reclaiming the swamp
land districts; the expense should be
borne by the owners of the land. The
subject brought before the convention
was complete departure from its pur-
poses, and ne raised point of order and
objected to any discussion of the bill.
President Platt stated that although he