The record-union., 1892-03-09

Behring sea Question Unanimous
Opinion That England's Position
Regarding the Renewal of the
Modus viyendi is UntenabIe.
Special to the REcoRD-UNIoS.
WASHINGTON, March s.-Secretry OF
War ElIins has submitted for the con-
sideration Of Congress a copy OF the re-
port of Lieutenant-Colonel Benyard, OF
the Corps Of Engineers, dated San Fran
cisco, Cal, March l. 1892, and an accom-
panying letter of Chief of Engineers
Casey, dated March 7th, submitting a
statement of the amounts which can be
profitably expended during the fiscal
year ending June 30, 1853, for the pur-
poses named in the joint resolution in
yestigating the mining debris in Calitor-
MIA. approved February 18th last:
by the provisions of public resolu-
ton the Secretary of War requested me
10 submit for the consideration OF Con-
gress what amounts can be profitably eX-
pended during the coming year to carry
out the recommendation made by the
Commission OF Engineers of the United
States Army appointed under the pro-
visions of an Act of Congress, approved
October ], 1885, entitled AN Act 10 in
vestigate mining debris in California, Tor
restrictions of works, dams and mining
dams TO restrain the mining debris where
now situated, and prevent its lodgment
IN the rivers of California, 10 the injury
Of navigation and commerce. Under the
provisions Of the above resolution / have
the honor to submit a statement of Lieu
tenant-Colonel Benyard, giving the
amounts that can be proftably expended
during the next fiscal year,
The following is a copy of Lieutenant
Colonel Benyard'S report:
I'm accordance with the instructions
contained in the department letter OF the
18th instant, inclosing the joint resolu-
liGn of the F'ity-second Congress, | have
the honor to submit the following esti-
Inmates Tor restriction works and dams
10 restrain the mining debris for the pur-
pose OF preventing the lodgment in the
rivers OF California to the injury OF
navigation and commerce. In response
10 your telegram of February 18th on
the same matter, l replied the following
cay as follows: Dam at Deguerre Point.
Sl50,000; restriction works below the
dam, 100000; Van Geisen's dam. S75. .OO1.
The Board of Engineers appointed to
NDltSlNlCI tiLctltliC NiuGSIlOfl III
California reported that the existence Of
vast deposits of material in the canyons
Of the rivers throughout the hydraulic
mining region and in the plain below the
CebOuch Of the Huba River from the food
viii eventually find lodgment in the
nayigable portions Of the rivers below to
the injury OF navigation. The board pro-
posed the erection Of dams at the lowest
points in the canyons of the Yuba and
Bear Rivers. and also the building of re-
slrlctlon works only on the Nuba be-
tween Beguerre Point and its mouth.
II was considered that these points.
SO long as hydraulic mining was not in
operation. presented more favorable fea-
lures for impounding works in the inter-
ests Of navigation than could be found at
other points above. In fact. to attempt 10
restrain the entire amount of debris
where now situated would require works
IN every ravine, creek or canyon through
out the entire mining field. Being solely
IN the interest OF navigation. and not in
connection with the prosecution or re-
sumption OF hydraulic mining above.
the estimates were presented in the re-
port OF the board. The estimates were
presented for dams and restriction work
lnGs, also for WingdamS. The latter
when so mentioned, were solely for the
Improvement of the Sacramento and
Feather Rivers. The amendments suu-
gested for any bill on the debris matter
8re to erase the words, 'wingdams
where now situated and designate the
points where other dams and restriction
works are to be located: namely, restric-
ton works on the Yuba River. below
Geguerre Point; dam at Deguerre Point
on the Yuba River. and a dam at Van
Geisen's, on Bear River''
LITTLE PROSPECT or APPROPRIATIONS
The House River and Harbor Com
has q Il royrf -,
hearing TO persons other than Congress
men, but Representative Caminetti sue
ceeded III having them make an excep-
ton IN the case of Judge Searls. and the
latter, as well as Representative Cami-
aetti, appeared before the committee to-
day and argued in favor Of the improve
lnent Of the Sacramento ana San Joa-
quin Rivers. Mr.. Caminetti brought TO
the attention OF the committee the re-
port of Lieutenant-C Colonel Benyard.
''N hen WAS the resolution authorizing
this report passed? L never knew anv-
tnlng about it, asked Chairman BIan-
chard.
The California representative explained
that he had introduced a joint resolution
calling for the report, and that the
Speaker had referred it to the Committee
on Mines and Mining, rather tnan to the
Committee on Rivers and Harbors, and
that in had passed both the Senate and
House.
''WeIl, it should have come to our com
mittee,' said Blanchard. ''but it is a good
thing Tor you it didn't, for we would have
sat down on it."
This was no news TO Caminetti. for he
had purposely filled his resolution fun OF
mining phrases IN order that it would
seem TO Ice 4 resolution more Affecting
tAe mines ;han the river Improvement.
Mr. Camineti said tonight to your
correspondent that the chances were
not favorable for securing much OF any
thing Tor the Sacramento, san JOAQUIN
o. any other California river at the meet
lng to-day Of the i,iYerand Harbor Com
mittee
FELToN'S DEBRIS BILL.
NaSHINGToN. March S.-Senator Fell
ton to-day introduced, by request OF the
isiining men, q bill concerning mining
debris and river improvement IN Cali
Iornl9. The bill is Identical with that
introduced in the House by CanIinetti.
with the exception of 3 clause added au-
ihorlHng the levying of col lection by
TIE Government OF tax OF ; per cent. on
the gross output OF the hydraulic mines.
ailo seNef.a uhlmport&nJ changes recon-
msaded by the War Department, men
ton Of which has been made in fornrer
dispatches.
THE SEAL FISHERIES.