The record-union. [volume] (Sacramento, Calif.) 1891-1903, 1893-02-11
WAYS AND MEANS.
TALK OVER A HOME FOR Way
WARD GIRLS.
The Bill Appropriating $4,000 for a
Board of Public Works
Considered.


on Ways and Means was held last night.
The first bill up for consideration was
that of Mr.. Benefits. which provides
that the State builing in Santa Clara
County, formerly used as homo for
Predetermined chilnren, shall be used as
a home for hayward girls. j. IL.
Henry, +. c. Franck, James O'Brien
and A. Mcdonald, in behalf of the
bill, said the building at present is unoc-
cupied; that the Whittier Reform School
is filed to overlooking and cannot accom-
modate any more inmates; that it would
be economy for the State to spend $4,000
or 5000 in furnishing the building at
Santa Clara rather than spend $4,000,
which is asked tor, for the erection of a
new building at Whittier. The site of the
Santa Clara building. is all that can be
desired, and the people of San Jose will
provide suitable sewerage for drainage
purposes. Senator Bailey also spoke for the
favors of the committee. He corroborated
all that had been said, and thought it
it would be advisable to keep the boys
and girls separated.
Mr.. Elliott, trustee of the Whittier Re-
form School, urged the advantages of
boys or girls to escape from Whittier.
There boys and girls are taught to earn
livelihood. South of the Tehachapi Pass
there are but very few State institutions
mot as many as that rich section of the
country, which has paid its full share OF
taxes, is entitled to.
Assemblyman Bulla explained that if
the appropriation was made the girls
home would be at considerable distance
from that of the boys, preventing undue
relations. The girls are now occupying
crowded, rented building. They are
doing the sewing for the boys, and the
boys do the shoemaking, etc., for the
girls. Thus they are in measure self
sustaining. Having the management of
ent, being near together, the State would
save large amount of money.
Action on the bill was postponed.
United States District Attorney Charles
Garter of San Francisco addressed the
committee in favor of Assembly Bills
Nos. 165 and l66, asking for pay for VIM.
ii. Thornley, while serving as Deputy
Commissioner, and also later on as Com
missioner of immigration. The bills were
taken under advisement.
The committee was addressed by Mr..
Mitchell, of Pierson u Mitchell. for the
payment of a claim of S2,l40 for legal
services against the State. The firm was
engaged by ex-Attorney-Gene John
son to prosecute the American Sugar Re-
1inery Company. They forced the for
fixture of that company's franchise and
succeeded in having them fined s., 000
which has been paid into the State Treas
ury. Messrs. Pierson d Mitchell ex-
pended out of their own pockets 81, $40
expenses for conducting the suit, and
they asked $500 as fee.
MIR. Langhorne, OF Langhorne u Mil
Ter, spoke in behalf of his claim of s.. 900,
for legal services rendered tine State
Board of Harbor Commissioners.
The committee decided to report favor
ably on the claims of Pierson Il Mitchell
Langhorne ~ Miller, and also Barnham
~ Bolton and w. 4. Davis for 81 500 for
legal services, all of which claims had
been acted on favOrably by the State
Board of Examiners. A reconsideration
was moved, but defeated by tie vote.
Mr.. Kahn thought the claim of Barnham
IL Bolton and Davis was excessive.
Assembly Bill No. 500, creating a State
Board of Public Works, and making an
appropriation of $4,000, was considered.
Mr.. Rose spoke of the history of the bill
saying it originated at the late Drainage
and Reclamation Convention held in this
city. The bill provides that each mem
Der of the Board of Public Works shall
receive salary of $1,000 per annum and
be allowed travelling expenses; and they
snail be allowed a secretary at salary of
$3.50 per month. The 500, 900 asked for is
to pay salaries and purchase machinery
for the reclamation of lands. There are
about million acres of land to be re-
claimed, which, when done, the as
sessable property of the State will be in
creased $l00,000,000. Mr.. Rose thought
the necessary small appropriation would
be a good investment. The measure is
not the scheme Of politicians; it repre-
sents the wishes OF the people of about a
dozen counties.
In answer to Mr.. Mordecai, Mr.. Rose
said it would require an outlay to reclaim
all the lands of about S, 900 600 to SIC, 0OO,-
900. These lands are the most productive
of any in the world. Again, much of the
present reclaimed lands need protection
to retain their values.
Mr.. Kahn thought a Commissioner. a
practical surveyor, would accomplish
more good than dozen Boards of Pub
lie Works.
In answer to Mr.. Barker, Mr.. Rose said
that most of the unreclaimed land had
been reduced to private ownership.
Mr.. Dunn followed, and explained the
condition OF the rivers and streams in the
Sacramento Valley. Each year it is neces-
sary TO build the levees higher and higher,
and in comparative degree the danger
of overflow is greater. The direct loss of
taxes through the overflow of lands for
the past year is almost equal to the APP
preparation asked.
Further consideration of the bill was
postponed until Monday night
Adjourned.