The record-union. [volume] (Sacramento, Calif.) 1891-1903, 1892-03-01
CONFIDENT DELEGATES.
Working for the River Appropriations
Caminetti,S Bill.

Cam1nettFS Bill.
WASHINGTON. Feb. 29.-The delegates
representing the California river and
mining interests, now in Washington,
are in happy mood tonight over re-
ceipt OF telegram from j. II. Neff an
nouncing that the Executive Committee
of the miners, at meeting held at San
Francisco to-day, had decided to recon-
mend the incorporation of a section in
Representative CamineGti's bin imposing
q tax of per cent. on the gross output
rom hydraulic mines. The gentlemen
were much gratified at receiving the in
telligence, and declare it will now be q
comparatively easy matter TO secure
favorable action by Congress. MIR. Lut-
1rell and Mr. Hobson, in statement
10 your correspondent tonight, esti-
mated that the output from the mines
would approximate S355, 100000, and the
amount derived from the imposition of
The tax of per cent would therefore be
over Sl0,00000.
1t is proposed that the debris commits
sion provided for in the Caminetti bill,
which was agreed upon Saturday night
by the river and harbor delegates now in
Washington, shall levy and collect this
three per cent. tax on the gross output OF
the mines, the amount TO be turned over
by the commission to the Government.
~ NC 6A DSIQGQ OlNlGE IG6 uI1etblOl1 vi INC
Secretary of War in improving the river
channels and in erecting, restraining and
jinpounding work in California as an
auxiliary to the improvements made by
the regular Government appropriations.
The idea of levying this tax on the min
ers was conceived by Mr.. Hobson, and
ne naturally feels elated that the miners
jndorse the scheme.
Mr.. Luttrell says that Senators Stan
ford and FELTON,, nearly all the California
Representatives in Congress and the
River and Mining delegates here have
all along been of the opinion that if the
miners would agree TO an imposition of
& tax upon their gross output Congress
might view the matter in a more favor
able light and take some action.
Caminettis bill was introduced in the
House to-day and was referred to the
Committee on Mines and Mining. Cam
inetti is Chairman of the Subcommittee
on Hydraulic Mining and a meeting OF
this sub-committeetwillp probably be held
tomorrow night to consider the Can't
Meta bill.
Representative Nick emma received word
that this was the last day upon which the
River and Harbor Committee would
grant hearing, and accordingly he APP
Deared before the committee to urge the
improvement of the river channels of the
rivers of California, and especially of the
Sacramento, San Joaquin and their trib-
utaries. He was before the committee
for long time and made an exhaustive
argument. He covered about the same
points gone over by Mr.. Devlin, Mr..
Ohleyer and others several weeks ago.
While Chairman blanchard could see
the propriety of the Governmental APP
preparation for the removal of debris and
distractions now in the channels of the
rivers, he was doubtful whether it would
lie within the function of the Govern
lnent to appropriate money fov impound-
ing debris in the canyon streams to pre-
vent its reaching the navigable channels
Of the rivers, and especially was he
doubtful as 10 the right of Congress to APP
propriate money to build dams and other
engineering works in order that debris
might be deposited by the miners.
Messrs. Luttrell, Hobson, Searls and
Caminetti called upon Secretary of War
1slkins to-day and talked over matters
pertaining TO the Improvement of Cali
fornia rivers and the resumption of n.y.
Craulic mining. Mr.. Lpttrell and the
Secretary are old-time friends. and the
latter was very willing and anxious to
lear all that the Californians had to say
On the subject, although he profesSed TO
lave fair knowledge of these matters
himself, having given them some atten-
ton.
Mr.. Luttrell says that the Secretary
expressed himself heart and soul in
ltNOI OF congress cong SOneIDl0g to re-
Niye California's once fiourishing indus
try of hydraulic mining, if it can be done
without injury 10 the navigation OF
rivers and of the farm lands situated
along them. They also visited Chief OF
Engineers Casey, and laid before him q
copy of Caminetti's bill.
Although the California delegates pro-
TESS to feel confident of favorable action
Icy Congress. the best informed persons
1ere viii not believe that this Democratic
Congress. with its objector, Holman, and
ether men of his stamp, will ever con-
sent to appropriating 81 100000 for any
such purpose. 4 good many Represent
atives in Congress seem To be OF Chair
nan Blanchard's opinion that while inns
Trovement IN river channels as they now
exist is proper enough, it is not within
their rightful function TO spend money
for the erection CT impounding and re-
straining dams in order that the miners
nav deposit debris. They call this a
species of ''class legislaticn.' and AFFECT
t. look at it as u sort OF bounty to the
miners.
Congressional.
WASHINGTON, Feb. 29.-1 presiden;
Morton was in the chair once more to-
cav. and laid before The Senate a number