The record-union. [volume] (Sacramento, Calif.) 1891-1903, 1893-02-17

We have within the past few years pro-
tested against the destruction wrought by
hydraulic miners, and in some cases work
has been suspended by them. But we
nave taken no steps to open out our riv-
ers or to prevent flood waters spreading
over our valleys.
II we do not, the time will come when
from Coast Range to Sierra, the entire
valley and the towns within them will be
subject to overflow and to constant dan
ger.
1t is known by many of the older in
habltants of the Sacramento Valley how,
since The introduction of hydraulic mont
TORS, during each year of excessive rail-
1all the waters have left "a higher high
water mark, steadily encroaching upon
ana destroying cultivated lands, homes
and orchards once above all fear of flood.
Inc leVees of the City of Sacramento have
Tor many years past had to be each year
| enlarged and strengthened, and the peo-
pie nave lately voted the expenditure of a
further sum ofSl00, 900 for additional work.
ms all means that the waters of flood
tunes are becoming annually higher. The
INHABITANTS of the City of Sacramento are
building wall around themselves that
Will III the waterways are not improved)
at some future time surely give way, and
| they viii lind themselves in the depths of
the flood.
The expansion and prosperity of their
CITY has been blighted through lack of
the population that might have been set
tied upon the desolate valley lands near
them.
Had Sacramento spent half the money
ana energy laid out in building levees, in
providing proper channels to carry the
flood waters, the waste land around would
be f1lled with an industrious people, and
sacramento would have to-day popula-
ton OF at least 100000 souls.
The present condition is bad. Now,
what is the remedy? To my thinking,
The best plan yet advocated is a canal for
Hood water and the dredging of the rivers.
| There has been at no time so important
matter for the consideration of our peo-
pie as this. 1t is to be hoped that our
representatives now in session at Sacra-
mento will take immediate action and
VIII provide for a Board of Engineers,
which should include Colonel Mendell
the Government engineer.
Inc duties of the board should be to
OBTAIN all necessary data, make surveys
ana prepare plans, sections and reports
showing what they consider the best
manner for carrying off the flood water
and the restoring and the keeping to the
proper depth OF the river channel. The
report should also include an estimate of
cost for the completion Of the work and
OF afterward keeping the same in good
condition. They should be empowered
to assess the lands benefited in proper
proportion, according to their different
position and levels, making proper allow
ance for lands Enclosed with levees that
have passed this years floods without
breaks.
And as time is all important, it should
be made condition that the report should
be sent to the Governor within six months
from the formation of the board.
Much data that would be of great use
for the work is in the hands OF several
reputable engineers of the State who have
for years past made the subject study:
they should be members of the board or
employed in the work.
And as the State has permitted the de-
struction of the rivers, it is but right that
the expense of the commission ard of the
general management aud superintend-
ence OF the work, and maintenance after
completion should be paid by the State.
The actual work to be paid for by the
landowners benefited.
The Federal Government has also
permitted the rivers to be filled and
should pay large share of the costs of
putting them into proper condition, but
from our knowledge of the difficulty of
obtaining from Congress the small ap-
preparations made for river and harbor
work on this coast, we must feel that it
would be simply waste of time, money
and energy to ask aid from Washington.
Let us take hold of this work earnestly
and do 1t ourselves. The money required
would be all expended in the employ
ment OF our laborers and mechanics. The
State and the owners OF lands in the val
leys would be abundantly repaid for the
outlay, the second year after the compile
ton of the work, by the large amount of
taxable property created.
Since writing the foregoing, find that
a drainage bill has been introduced into
the Legislature. | do not know the mar
ticulars of tit may be all that is requir-
edit so, it is to be hoped that our repre-
sentatives will work earnestly to further
its passage, but should this bill not be
sufficient, let some of our legislators in
Sacramento take hold of the matter and
frame measure for action by the present
Legislature that will equitably afford the
needed relief. Those aiding would OBJ
tain the thanks and the future support of
grateful people.
The matter is so important to the well
fare of this State that if the present Legis-
lature should be unable to enact all nee
! essary laws before obtaining report of
engineers, surely the Governor would be
fully justified in calling a special session
to act upon this measure.
1t is now proposed to continue n.y.
draulic mining and build dams TO con-
fine the debris. If this can be done so
that there shall be no further filling up of
the waterways. the hydraulic miners
could go on with their work without
damage to others. Then with the rivers
deepened and channels provided for the
flood waters, the farmers and miners
would both prosper, immigrants would
flock into our State and settle upon our
waste lands, and we would commence an
era of prosperity such as we have never
before known. May the men from the
mountains join hands with those from
the valleys in pushing this great benef-
cent work to completion.
WILLIAM JONES.
San Francisco, Feb. 10, 1898.
Teachers, Pensions