The record-union. [volume] (Sacramento, Calif.) 1891-1903, 1893-02-17
DEBRIS COMMISSIONER.
Senator Ford's Mining Bill Gets Good
Majority.

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Senator Ford's bill creating the office
of Debris Commissioner, and appropriate
ing $500 for the purpose of preventing
mining debris from getting into the nav
igable streams, came up for final passage
in the Senate yesterday afternoon,
Mr.. Ford, who is an eloquent, earnest
and convincing speaker, explained his
bill in detail to the Senate before the vote
was taken. He first gave brief history
of mining legislation, both State and ma
tional, and said he was glad to know that
the time had at last arrived when the I'M
fortunate difficulties between the miners
and the farmers could be calmly and fair
ly discussed, in spirit BETTING the high
character of the interests involved. He
explained that the purpose of the bill was
two-fold-to protect the rivers and valley
lands and to open the way for the rehabil-
itation of the mining industry. With the
debris from the mountains held in check,
the rivers could be more effectively and
more cheaply protected, and a permanent
system of river improvement could be
inaugurated and carried to successful
conclusion. The valley farmers would
feel greater sense Of security and be
made to realize that danger from the flow
of mountain debris had been reduced to
a minimum.
NATURAL DEBRIS.
The Senator explained that debris from
the mines was not the only debris the
farmers had to fear Already many mill
ions of cubic yards of debris had accumu-
lated in the mountain canyons, caused by
natural erosions, disintegration of the
mountain sides, cultivation of rocky soil,
and kindred causes; and that if every
monitor were shut down, and not an
other inch of water was ever again
turned through a nozzle, the works con-
templated in the bill were an imperative
necessity for the preservation of our
waterways and adjacent lands. The
miners believed that when such works
were constructed all the difficulties of the
past would have found a happy and
honorable solution.
The practicability of restraining works,
said Mr.. Ford, had passed beyond the
realms of serious debate. They had been
gineers, and sanctioned by the courts.
To now say that the debris from the
mines could not be successfully and per-
manenuy restrained in the mountain
canyons was an insult to American
genius.
Furthermore, he commended, the meas
ure was eminently practical business
measure. In Nevada County alone the
cessation of hydraulic mining had caused
shrinkage in assessed valuation of
s., O00, 900, notwithstanding she had adj
vanced steadily in fruit and other indus
tries. So it was all over the mining re-
gion Revive this industry and the
increased valuation of property in the
mountains would soon repay in taxes any
outlay the State might see fit to make.
In conclusion, Mr.. Ford appealed to
the sober judgment of his fellow Sena-
tors The miners were not asking charity,
nor attempting to gain any advantage at
the expense of other portions of the State.
They simply asked that Senators might
rise above local jealouses and local de-
sires and extend their vision to the ulti-
mate grand results that must inevitably
flow from this character of legislation.
MR.. osTRoM's OPPOSITION.
Farmer Ostrom of Yuba opposed the
passage of the bill. He was opposed to
commissions in general as being harmful
and expensive appendages to the State.
All of them should be abolished and no
more of them created, he argued. Re-
garding the ends contemplated by the
Ford bill, he said it would only be a
waste of money TO attempt to restrain
mining debris. Beside, he asked, who