The record-union., 1896-02-21
RIVER IMPROVEMENT.
The California Delegation VIII Work
for Johnson's Bill.

RIVER IMPROVEMENT.
The California Delegation VIII Work
for Johnson's Bill.
A special to the Chronicle gives the
following account of meeting of the
California delegation in Congress and
representatives of the different inter
ests:
The California delegation came to a
thorough understanding with Tirey L.
Ford to-day as to which of the mining
bills now before Congress should be
supported. While there has been no
real breach between Mr.. Ford as repre-
sentative of the California Miners AS
sociation and the members of the dele
cation, at the same time there has been
more or less difference of opinion as to
the methods which should be pursued
in passing several measures. This
state of affairs had tendency to divide
forces somewhat, so the meeting was
called this morning for the purpose of
reaching some definite agreement. The
entire Congressional delegation, includ-
ing Senators White and Perkins, the
six Californians representing the rivers
and harbors convention, and Mr.. Ford
We're present at the prescribed hour.
Senator White acted as Chairman of
the conference and drew upon his fund
of diplomatic tactics to keep the ses-
sion in smooth running order.
Mr.. Ford stated that he was willing to
go as far as he possibly could to meet
the views Of the valley people, but there
were two points upon which he was
compelled to insist The first of these
was an appropriation of $250,000. This
amount is asked for in the bill intro
duced some time ago by Representative
Johnson. Mr.. Ford held that the appro-
priation must be for this amount or
nothing, and that is must be made in
such a manner as to unlock a similar
appropriation made by the California
Legislature. This was to be used by
the Federal engineers in accordance
with Sections %, "a and % of the Can't
netti Act. With these two conditions
reserved, he was willing to join forces
with the valley delegates and work in
harmony with them. He said that he
was perfectly willing to support the bill
creating a Sacramento River Commits
sion, and would cheerfully do all in his
power to help pass it.
Ford further explained the provisions
of the bill introduced by Johnson in the
House, and Perkins in the Senate revis-
ing the Federal mining laws. He stated
that Senator Stewart had also intro
duced the bill in the Senate for the re-
vision of the Federal mining laws, but
that it differed materially from the
Johnson and Perkins bill The point
on which the miners must strongly in
sic Nv. ; 1, =
the transfer of contests as to the min
eral or agricultural character of the
lands from the Land Offices to local
courts in the respective counties where
the land is situated. He said that Sena-
tor Stewart had agreed to permit this
provision to be added to his bill, and
that another conference was to be had
with the Nevada Senator with a view of
harmonizing other differences in the
two bills.
Ford took occasion to correct an er-
roneous impression on the part of some
of the delegation that hydraulic mining
was or ever had been an unlawful busi-
ness. He quoted from the California
Supreme Court to the effect that the
business was not in itself unlawful, and
that injunctions were issued only where
the work was so conducted as to in
jure other property.
EX-State Senator Johnston called at
tention to the fact that the recent floods
had washed away ten of the dams con-
structed by the miners according to
Government plans, and he was inclined
to the opinion that the valley people
would not favor the construction of any
more restraining works. Senator White
and Mr.. Ford did not think that the
dams which had been washed away bore
any relation to the new works which it
is desired the Government shall erect.
They thought that the fate which had
befallen the old dams would serve a
lesson to the Government engineers so
as to make them more careful in draw
ing plans, but they insisted that any
dams which might be constructed by
the Government engineers would not
hold
Ex-senator Johnston said that he
could not eonscientiously support a bill
for restraining works, but he assured
those present that he would not oppose
the measure. The meeting finally ad-
journed with the understanding that
the entire delegation would support the
Johnson Sacramento River Commission
bill, the bill asking for a $780, 600 ap-
preparation and other mining bills. with
the exception of the one to decrease the
fine as prescribed in the Caminetti Act.