The record-union., 1896-04-29
DICK THOMAS His SCHEME.
The Miners Association Strongly Objects
to Il.
A Public Dam for Private Uses
A Protest Has Been Entered
Against It.
From the San Francisco Chronicle of
April 2Sth.)

From the San Francisco Chronicle of
April 2Sth.)
An able-bodied LOB" has been discOv-
cred in the appropriation for the con-
struction Of restraining barriers In the
Sacramento and Feather Rivers.
If it succeeds it will result in the Gov
ernment building a dam at Daguerre
Point in the interest Of private parties,
while the hydraulic miners will be COM
pletely ignored.
Rather than this should happen, says
a telegram from the State Miners As
sociation to Tirey L. Ford, it's agent at
Washington, ''the hydraulic miners
would prefer that no appropriation at
all should be made at this session"
In another dispatch the association
repudiates Assemblyman Dick"
Thomas, who has been at Washington
for several months, and who is credited
with working the project through in
the interest of himself and a coterie of
prominent capitalists and politicians.
The scheme is a magnificent one
Thus far it has been very cleverly
worked. 1t comprahendS the acquisi-
ton of electric and water power and
irrigation rights at The expense of the
State and Federal Governments, the
value of which it is difficult to estimate
The figure is placed at 81, ,O00,0 900 by
John M. Wright, VINO has been investi-
eating the subject for the Executive
Committee of the California Miners
Association.
The Job has been under way ever
since Senator Ford obtained the pas
sage of the Act appropriating $3.50, 900
out of the State Treasury for the build
ing of restraining dams, provided the
United States Government would set
aside a like amount for a like purpose
The opportunity was then offered, and
at the legislative session of 1895 the
first step was taken.
Section 1416 of the Civil Code, relating
TO water rights, was amended so as to
provide that if the erection of a dam
has been recommended by the Califor-
mia Debris Commission at or near the
place where it is intended to divert the
water, the claimant shall have sixty
days after the completion of such dam
in which to commence the excavation or
construction of the works in which he
intends to divert the water
The object of this addition to the law
was to enable those interested in the
scheme to postpone work until after the
Government had built the dam and
then to take advantage of its presence.
Away back in 1890 the United States
Debris Commission reported in favor of
impounding works on the Yuba River
at Daguerre Point, nine miles above
Marysville. Knowing this and the
r-ic cr1of IL
been properly amended, Assemblyran n
Ihomas proceeded to locate water
rights at that point. Whether or not
ne had moneyed associates at that time
is not known, but in December last he
secured financial assistance which en-
abled him month or so later to go to
Washington, where he has since been
waiting for the opportune moment to
get in his fine work
The opportunity came when the SUM-
dry civil appropriation bill went from
House to Senate and was referred to the
Committee on Commerce. Thomas OBJ
ject was to have the dam constructed at
Daguerre Point, where his water Ioca-
tons are situated. He ACCOMPLISHED
much in this direction by causing the
committee to amend the item appro-
priating $3.50, 900 for the erection of re-
straining barriers to protect the Sacra-
mento and Feather Rivers
Either of the amendments would
have accomplished the object, and both
were designed to make assurance
doubly sure should one or the other fail
of passage One of them provided thar
the restraining barriers should be con-
structed ''in accordance with the recon-
mendation Of the California Debris
Commission, as contained in executive
document No. 16 Oh. R.), Fifty-third
Congress, second session."
The other provided that the work
should be done pursuant to the pro-
visions Of and for the purposes set forth
in Section % Of the Act of Congress of
the United States entitled An Act to
create the California Debris Commits
sion and regulate hydraulic mining in