The record-union., 1893-12-16


the attention Of delegates to insure the
equal financial recognition from each
and every county. Il very large appro-
priation is not required, but the Super
visors of each county should, in my opin-
ion, in every case contribute to the gen.
eral expenses"
In the absence of c. E. Grunsky of San
Francisco, Secretary, DIR. Dixon was ap-
pointed Secretary pro tenn.
DELEGATES PRESENT.
Mr.. Johnston inquired who present
were delegates. The roll of counties was
called, and the following members re-
ported present:
Sutter-Eli Davis, n. P. Kirtley. j. c.
Gray, John Burns, w. f. Hake, L. d.
Nash, L. p. Farmer, c. P. Berry, George
Ohleyer.
Yuba-D. a. Ostrom, c. E. Stone. Col.
Woodruff, J. NJ. Jasper.
Colusa-A. II. Rose, w. S. Green, VIM.
Ash.
Yolo-L. B. Adams, NJ. A. Nourse.
San Joaquin-R. G. Sargent, j. A. Nor
risey.
San Francisco-E. A. Denike, NIarsden
Manson.
Butte-AIr. Hutchings, Mr.. Bernard.
SOlano-E. McGettigen, J. IL. McCud
den, ID. K. Korn, j. A. Clark, r. j. r.
Alden, Peter Siebie.
Sacramento-E. J. Gregory, Fl. Vein
stock, p. Z. Platt, VIM. Johnston, Obed
Harvey. r. D. Stephens, II. 7. Devlin,
G. w. Baker, Dwight Hollister, @. M.
Dixon, J. 4. Camp, Captain Roberts, a.
}. Bruner, Sol. Runyon, Grove /. john
son.
Shasta-W. A. Boswell, Charles A.
Becker, J. NJ. Gleaves, f. NJ. Frazee, l..
S. Barnes, Henry Kleinsmith.
Tehama-Dr. w. p. Mathews.
Alameda-Eli Dennison, j. q. Plunkett,
3. W. Martin, Hiram Bailey, j. I. Nc
Lain, John l.. Beard.
Glenn, Contra Costa, Placer, Sonoma,
MOdOc, Lassen, Ell Dorado and SiskiyOu
None present.
THE MISSIONARIES TO CONGRESS.
Reports were called for from George
Ohleyer and Il. 7. Devlin, as to what was
accomplished by the delegates to WASH
ingtOn.
Mr.. Ohleyer reported orally, and said
he found a general push made on Con-
gress for much river Improvement. He
had but week in which to appear before
the River and Harbor Committee. When
MIR. Devlin arrived but two days were
left.
Mr.. Ohleyer said he did what he could
to present the needs of California rivers.
What was done before the committee is
familiar to all. More was accomplished
than had been done for years, and some
SD, 900 were appropriated for the Sacra-
mepto and San joaquin and tributaries.
Ours is a big country, and scOr es o
claims are made for streams and harbors.
We are far away and our claims are not
so apparent TO Eastern Congressman.
They think it strange we should ask for
what we do, because we have so long
neglected to ask for anything. After
appearing before the committee the
speaker remained a long time and la
bored hard with Congressman and de-
partments.
California is now in the line of river
we must keep in line by continuing ef-
forts such as have been made. Congress
is thoroughly committed to our cause
now and we must press our claims. He
believed that despite the cry of economy
Congress will again pass a River and
Harbor Act, for three-fourths of the Con-
gressmen have river and harbOr claims
for their constituents.
Our congressman were very glad that
the delegation helped them by coming.
1t gave them much strength to their ap-
pealS. All such assistance is good. The
Mississippi people always send on a
strong committee; it rents fine rooms,
entertains and stays in Washington the
whole session and so get away with large
sums.
MR.. DEVLIN's REPORT.
r. T. Devlin said that MIR. Ohleyer
stated the matter fully. Congress is a
different body from what is generally
supposed; nearly everything is done in
committee. The River and Harbor Com
mittee sits all day and is excused from
the House. II hears visiting delegations
first, and then closes it down to all but
Congressman. Then it goes into e1ecu-
tive session and agrees on bill. 1t is
easy for the great East to reach Washing
ton and so many delegations come.
The presence of the California delega-
ton emphasized the fact before Congress-
men that California herself feels the inn
portance of her streams. Then again, the
delegations gave information necessary.
Committeeman know little of details of
our rivers and they must be informed.
Again, California delegation present
impresses our own Congressman with
the desire of our people, and stimulates
them to greater energy. We have Con-
gressmen from California not deeply inn
pressed with our river needs, for they
come from sections having no large river
needs. They stand in for California, but
it is sure to post them and stimulate
them by showing the interest OF the home
people in the rivers. The fact that Mr..
Caminetti is now member of the River
us. Last year the coast only had an
Oregon Congressman on the committee.
California is now on the list of river inn
provement, and he thought Congress
would continue its work for US; but a
delegation from California in river inter-
| ests emphasizes the appeal of the people
presented through our congressman. The
theory in Washington is, you do not get
what YOU do not ask for and push for
fHl,o aSti7,,ataG Of s. ArTlu E'nojnaprS two
years ago recommended 100000 900 eX-
Denditure on rivers and harbOrs, but Con-
gress cut it down deeply, Tor Congress
could not appropriate so much as was re-
commended. 1T never gives anything
unless it is indorsed by the Government
Engineer. SO when we Go get recon-
mendations and the scaling down begins,
our congressman, like others, tries to
prevent deep cutting in his States share,
and delegation from his State is there
fore help.
CONGRESS WAS IN THE DARK.
DR., Dixon said there is now an oppor-
tunitv for California to take advantage Of.
| At first Congress replied to us: I'VE have
no official knowledge of your rivers" "
| So we got an examination ordered, fol-
lowed by a recommendation, and an ap-
bropriation, and then by larger one. and
now it is possible to get what we want
under a bill putting the Sacramento and
San j Joaquin under the contract system,
as the Columbia is.
That means, If the bill passes, a
thorough survey and examination from
mouth TO source, and an estimate of the
gross sum needed to restore and preserve
] the streams. Then the Government ap-
Dropriates the sum, or what it can, and
/ Drovides for use so much each year for a
series OF years, lasting until the whole
/ scheme of restoration is complete. Such
! is the bill Mr.. Caminetti is about to rein
| troduce.
The TransmissisSippi Congress at Og-
den indorsed our appeal for our rivers
and harbors, and that means expression