The record-union. [volume] (Sacramento, Calif.) 1891-1903, 1893-04-12
TRANS-MISSlSSIPPl CONGRESS.
CALIFORNIA DELEGATES MEET AT
SAN FRANCISCO.
Preamble and Resolutions Looking to
the Improvement OF the Sacra-
mento and San joaquin.
Special to the REcoRD-UNIox.

Special to the RECoRD-UNIoN.
SAN Francisco, April 1.-THE dele
gates to the Trans Mississippi Congress
appointed by Mayor Ellert from San
Francisco met tonight and organized by
the election of VIII Z. Fisher as Presi-
dent and Julian Sonntag as Secretary.
Discussion ensued as 10 matters TO be
presented by the delegation to the con-
gress, and it was unanimously decided to
urge the passage of the following prean-
bic and resolutions:
WHEREAS, The Sacramento and San
joaquin Rivers and their tributaries
comprise almost the entire navigaple
waterways of California, State the
western border of which furnishes over
SEQ miles OF the Pacific Coast limits of the
United States, said rivers being the nat
ural drains OF vast area OF the most pro-
ductlve lands in the world, the Sacra-
mento River, in its navigable state, hay
ing been navlgable for ocean vessels TOR
nearly 200 miles from San Francisco Bay;
and, whereas, said rivers have, owing To
the nlllng OF the channels from various
causes, and to the neglect of their proper
treatment by the Federal Government,
been greatly injured, and in many por-
tons destroyed as naVigable streams, and
rendered wholly inadequate as drains.
resulting in an annual overflow of one
million acres of rich river bottom lands.
capable of producing from two to four
crops per annum OF some agricultural
products; this overflow causes "a grave
loss TO the State OF California of from
10000, 900 to 100000 per annum, while
the debris deposited IN said channels
is gradually encroaching upon and
shoaling san Francisco Bay, thus threat
ening the integrity of the very gateway
10 hn of fI,n
whereas, over 100000 tons OF freight are
carried on the Sacramento River an
nually, and over 100000 tons shipped
annually by rail in the Sacramento Valley
at rates controlled by river competition.
and which tonnage would be increased
annually many fold if loss by overflow
and DISTRACTED navigation were climb
mated by proper treatment of the river
channels, thus adding vastly TO the COM
mercial prosperity OF San Francisco and
the interior Of the State; and whereas
while reported efforts have been made bv
the people Of California to attract the at
tenlion of the National Government to
the needs OF our navigable rivers and
hsrbors, and to secure aid for their restora-
ton and preservation, the response has
been feeble indeed, and the appropria-
tons so meager as to be wholly made
quate to the requirements.
ResOlUed, By the Trans Mississinni
Congress, in convention assembled, that
the great and commanding need of the
State OF California is liberal treatment of
its navigable waters and harbors by the
Federal Government, and we earnestly
request and urge our representatives in
Congress to use all honorable means to
secure appropriations adequate to these
requirements.
ReSolUed, That we urge upon Congress
the Importance of enacting into law the
bill introduced into Congress by Hon. A.
Caminetti of California. providing for the
placing of the Sacramento and San Joa-
quin Rivers under contract and special
commission system.
Other delegates from outside the city
participated in to-night's proceedings.