The record-union., 1892-01-15
RIVER PROTECTION.
Congressman Caminetti Expresses His
Views Thereon.
lie Thinks it Necessary to Impound
the Debris Where it is-The Pros
pect of Government Aid.

this city to-day IS regarded by Callfor-
MAS representatives in Congress as one
of considerable Importance. They all
appear TO be alive to the necessity of i'm
proving the Sacramento, San Joaquin
and other important streams Of the State.
Senator FELTON, has announced that he in
tends devoting good deal Of his time to
the matter of the improvement of the
California bays and streams i'll order to
render navigation easier. Representa-
tive Loud takes especial interest in the
matter and has already made many
friends on the River and Harbor Com
mittee He spends some time each day
explaining TO members of this committee
the importance of the California rivers
and bays to the commerce of the State.
He Will make strong effort to secure an
appropriation for the improvement of
AIviso Greek and its mouth.
Representative Caminetti, in whose dis
trict to-day convention will be held, and
who, perhaps, takes more interest in its
proceeding than any other member of the
California delegation, as he has the Sacra-
rnento and san Joaquin Rivers III his dis
trict. was seen last night by the RECORD
UNIONS Washington correspondent, who
telegraphs the following interview with
him:
s'Mr. Caminetti what shall I say for
you to the River Convention through the
RECoRD-UNION | should like to have
your views on the subjects which viii be
there discussed"
Caminetti- on may say that the work
is being actively pushed to the fullest eX-
tent possible under the circumstances.
Il day will be granted our delegation in
the near future to present the matter be-
fore the committee.
''What do you think the outcome will
be-"
Caminetti-Well, it is feared that our
Governmental expenditures the next lis
cal year Will exceed our receipts, ana an
attempt viii be made to cut the river and
harbor and other appropriations down 10
the lowest limit, but | hardly think 1t
viii succeed 10 the extent proposed so
far as the rivers and harborS are con-
cerned. | notice general desire to be
iudiciOusly liberal to the rivers and har-
bors, while at the same time it is felt and
admitted that economy is necessary in all
departments. The fight, of course, Will
have TO be made before the committee.
j shall welcome any effort to secure sue
cess on the part OF our people, and hold
myself in readiness to do my utmost TO
carry out their instructions.
"What effect viii the Holman resolu-
ton have on the question of appropria-
tion?"
Caminetti According to Mr.. Hol-
mans explanation to-day, he merely
pledges the House to a frugal and eco
nomical administration of the debt,
which, of course, includes that under
which the river and harbor work is car
ried on. It was not Intended to prevent
necessary appropriations for public inn
prOyementS. However, a large number
OF members who are interested in river
matters called upon him to request such
modification of his second resolution as
to avoid the effect of strict construction
thereof with regard TO legitimate public
employments. He has consented to make
such an amendment.
What viii be the amount appropriated
for California rivers, in your opinion ?"
Caminetti-It is hard to say now. |
intend to introduce bill tomorrow, if l
can get the floor, providing for the
amounts recommended by the Govern
ment Engineer, with some additions to
meet the cost Of work recently examined
by Major Heuer in the San Joaquin
River. The proverb, "a stitch in time
saves nine" should be applied.in formu-
lating a proper plan OF river improve
ment. Therefore, we should go about
the work Immediately required 10 benefit
navigation, and attempt to check the ma
terial which the Government Commits
SionerS report Is stored in the channels of
the tributaries to these two river systems,
awaiting the winter treShets to be trans
united to the navigable portions thereof.
1t is more practicable TO hold it where it
now lies, than to permit its lodgment IN
the streams, and then pass resolutions to
appoint committees and attempt to secure
appropriations to accomplish, at greater
expense, that which can now be pre-
vented at greatly reduced rates. With
that end In view L purpose introducing
measures providing for necessary APP
TNrnTriatinyG phnply tho of
the debris in said tributaries.
To those who say this is proposed for
the purpose of permitting hydraulic min
ing, | will remark that such treatment of
the debris now in the channels above
Marysville is absolutely required, with
out consideration of the question of fur
ther hydraulic mining. This should be
manifest to any person who will look at
the subject in a reasonable light, and is,
moreover, strongly sustained by the
Government Commissioners who treat of
the subject What is true Of the channels
above Marysville, is also true of other
places on that belt. 1t is time to set aside
all prejudices and proceed on the basis
that, above all, will bring about a COM
prehensive system of river protection
which will not only make available every
dollar spent in river work, but will make
Is results permanent and effective.
Besides, it should be remembered
terial in the waterways is known to per-
sons from whom we are TO ask for river
appropriations, and unless we supple
ment our demands therefor with re-
quest for the proper protection of the
rivers, when improved-eSp specially since
1t is recommended by the commission
we will be handicapped in our endeavors.
The importance of our rivers is
scarcely realized by many to whom | pre-
sent the subject. l was asked few days
ago how many ports of delivery we had
on them l said we had cities like Sacra-
mento and Stockton, with about $4,000
population each; MarySville with 5000 or
so, and many other places having
shipping facilities but no port of
delivery established by law. They
were surprised. l investigated the
matter, and found that it would be
advisable, in order to attract attention, to
have the official mediums Of gathering
commercial statistics, in addition to the
benefits directly accruing to each city, to
constitute each such a port. l immedi-
ately followed that episode by introduce
ing bill for that purpose and propose to
press it to passage.
These are my views, generally speak
ing. However, if the gentlemen who take
part in the convention at Sacramento to-
morrow have other views more practical
and better calculated to carry out the OBJ
jects desired, | shall be pleased to hear
from them, and will carefully consider
their suggestions.
HOW TO DRIVE WE'LL