The record-union., 1895-02-06

the effect is not that assumed in the re-
port OF toWeTang the river, but on the
contrary OF raising it, for as soon as the
Yolo basin is filled up and begins to dis
charge into Cache Slough, below Grand
Island, the immense volume of water
discharging into the river causes it to
back up" to points above CORTLAND; Of
this fact no account whatever is taken in
the report and accompanying plans.
THE COMMISSIONERS PLANS.
It is proposed in said report, in order
to relieve the lands lying between
knights Landing and Jacinto and above
the mouth of the American River, to
dump the surplus waters OF the Sacra-
mento River and tributaries by series
OF overfiows, low enough to prevent
Hoods at those points, through canals in
the tule basins, some 4,500 feet in width,
into Cache Slough, all Of which at an esti-
mated cost of some nine million dollars,
but which presumably will cost great
deal more. Commissions and public
works always come high and the time
needed to carry out the plans would be
long.
WHO ARE TO PAY?
This sum is not to be borne by the lands
exclusively benefited by the proposed
works. nor is any provision made TO re-
Iinburse those who would have to protect
their lands by higher levees and to pump
their rain and increased sipage water to
greater hight, but, incredible as it may
seem, the scheme is to assess all the lands
In the Sacramento Valley (some of which
are perfectly reclaimed) for works of
doubtful utility, not we'll digested, sprung
unexpectedly upon the people, but which
at all events will not benefit the lands
south OF Sacramento.
NO CUT IN THE MONTEZUMA HILLS.
No provision is made for carrying off
the immense volume which is to be con-
centrated at Cache Slough to tidewater,
save the narrowing OF the river above
Newtown and the widening of Horseshoe
BEND OeIoW above Elnmaton, which
measures are inadequate for the purpose.
There is to be no cut through the Monte
yuma Hills.
AWAY WITH ALL RECLAMATION DIS
TRICTS.
The bill purposes, as reported, to make
one reclamation district or all the lands of
the Sacramento Valley, to be controlled
by tive mon, elected respectively by the
i've counties Interested, according 10
plans to be framed by the Commissioners
OF Public Works. THIS IN effect aCjii. 1T is
5ette0ed, abolish all eIiSting SoOdnap Land
Reclamation Districts, and no compensa-
ton is to be made for existing levees, for
pumping plants, bitches or other reclaim
alton works.
Now, the undersigned wishes to ask
each one of those who are like himself in
tereSted III the reclamation of swamp
lands an and beto1D the city of Sacramento,
the following questions:
L. how will you like to see the naviga-
bllity of the Sacramento River i'm
paired, which will DO an inevitable con-
comltant result of any such scheme as
now under discussion?
=. how will you like, in these hard times.
when no farmer makes his salt, to have
your lands assessed $40 or $50 (or more)
per acre for the sole purpose of carving
out works which will almost exclusively
benefit the lands alove Knights Land
ing, whilst putting yours in worse con-
dition?
3. how will you like to see that money
spent, not by men of your own choosing,
but by tive men elected by the county at
large, one Of whom only from your own
county?
4. How will you like to see the i'm
mense amount of energy and money
spent IN organizing and carrying out
your present reclamation scheme nulli-
he'd and rendered worthless?
Let those who do not wish to see that
bill pass organize and protest. Time is
short.
1t is proposed to hold meeting next
week at a time and place to be hereafter
announced, wherein the subject OF the
bill will be further discussed.
7. j. VAN LoBEN Sells.
Pearson Reclamation District, Febru-
airy 2, 1895.