The record-union., 1893-01-19
PERMANENT ORGANIZATION.

port:
First-That the permanent officers of
the convention be President, two Vice
Presidents, Secretary and Assistant
Secretary and Treasurer.
Second-We recommend ID. ID. Arnold
of ColuSa for President; K. T. Walton OF
Sutter County and William Johnston OF
Sacramento for Vice Presidents: also, w.
d. Lawton ana A. q. Hoagland, respect
lively. as Secretary and Assistant Secre-
tary, and Frank Miller of Sacramento as
Treasurer.
Third-We recommend that this con-
vention be called 1.-The California Drain
age and Reclamation Convention"
Fourth-We recommend as order of
business:
First-The election of officers.
Second-Appointmen by the President
Of committees, as follows: A legislative
committee, to consist of twenty MEM
bers; committee of three engineers, to
consist of G. L. Grunsky, Marsden Man
son and j. C. Pierson; and that the duty
of said committee shall be to at once con-
slider and report to this convention
whether or not, in their opinion, it is
possible to devise plans of works which
will drain and protect the entire Sacra-
mento Valley at cost which will make
the Inauguration of such plan or plans
advisable.
Third-A Committee on Memorial and
Resolutions to Congress, to consist of
five members
Fourth-We further recommend that
in voting each county delegation be al
lowed to cast the vote of absent members
as said delegation may agree.
The report was adopted.
PRESIDENT ARNoLD's REMARKS.
On taking the chair Mr.. Arnold said:
II thank you, gentlemen, sincerely for
the honor conferred upon me in electing
me to the chair of convention which
consider one of the most important ever
held in Sacramento County.
"Over half a million acres of our best
land-and of the best land in the world
is now under water and not only is the
damage done to the owners of land, but
its loss is the ruin of other people as well.
Il have lived here thirty-one years and
l am satisfied the river can never be con-
fined by levees built along its banks.
and the sooner this fact is realized and
we take proper steps to provide against
it the better.
Notwithstanding the immense amount
of flooded land in Colusa County, the
river from COluSa up to Chico is wider
and deeper than it was thirty years ago,
with from 16 to 24 feet fall to the mile,
and yet it does not carry half the water.
over a million dollars has been spent
there to reclaim one small district and
nearly as much more for another, and
both of these districts are now under
water.
1--WE have tried every means of indi-
vidual and sectional effort, and the people
realize that some plan of larger magni-
tude and of more general efficiency must
be adopted.
Among us here are men of various
theories, different plans and ideas to sug-
gest and l am not a speech-maker but a
sl-f tl,N,
complished. We should all lay aside our
pet ideas and notions and try and unite
on some general and comprehensive plan
to benefit US all.
''What is now a vast area of useless
land covered with water can be re-
claimed, and wherever it is reclaimed it
is the best land in the State-the best in
the world.
Il am not a parliamentarian, and l ask
the indulgence of you gentlemen, and
that you will assist in maintaining order
and good feeling among the members of
this convention.
Gentlemen, we are now ready to hear
what is your pleasure
Mr.. Arnold was favored with a round
OF applause at the close of his remarks.
DUTY OF THE ENGINEERS.
Mr.. Hilburn wanted to know what was
said about the Committee of Engineers,
! anu VIC AshlilCS anu ODJ6CLS vi bLldG cOul-
mittee were again read. He then asked
if the adoption OF the report elected the
three gentlemen named, and was in
| formed that it did.
DIR. Dixon moved that the engineers be
instructed to report at the next meeting
Of this convention, and it was carried.
OTHER COMMITTEES.
At the request of Chairman Arnold,
the report of the Committee on Perma-
nent Organization was again read as be
was not present at the first reading. The
Chair then stated he would require some
time to select committees so as to get the
very best men.
Mr.. Hilburn moved that the roll OF
counties be called, and the Legislative
Committee be appointed by the delegates
| Carried.
Senator Ostrom said it would be i'm
possible for him to be present much o.
the time, and asked the appointment o.
G. P. Berry in his place.
| This was considered against the pro.
visions OF the call, and Senator Ostrom
Withdrew his motion.
| Mr.. Fulweiler moved that any member
of the convention might give his proxy tC
member OF his county, and it was So
ordered.
OBJECT OF THE CONVENTION.
Mr.. Rose suggested that before the ap
pointment OF the committees the plans o
operation ought to be stated to the con
ventlOn.
Mr.. Dixon said that was the object o
the convention, and was embodied in tn,
call.
Mr.. Rose thought the plans should b,
more clearly defined.
2. Carroll suggested that the conven
ton might meet with obstacles in con
| Sidering both the reclamation of tn,
lands and the preservation of the naviga
ton of the river, and that it should selec
perhaps one object and contine itself t,
that.
Mr.. Barcar thought the ones calling
the convention should outline its plans il
regard to ways and means.
Mr.. Boggs thought the first thing should
be to hear the report of the engineers anC
learn something of the probable expense
The land should bear its portion. and i
necessary the Government be asked t,
protect the rivers. If they could get th,
state or Government to assist, well anC
good.
Carroll said the State ought be asked t,
aid in surveys, but was ruled out of or
der, and it was decided that the appoint
the objects of the convention were dis
cussed.
RECLAMATION BILL.
F. r. Dray said a scheme for tb,
reclamation of districts, proposed law
had been prepared and submitted to tn,
Legislature, and the bill referred to wa
read by the Secretary. 1t is Assembl,
Bill No. 205.
| DIR. Dixon said the bill had been intro
duced to secure place on the file. and i
| might be amended by this convention