The record-union., 1896-04-01
Weather Forecast.
Northern California-Fair; warmer
light northwesterly winds.
GUARD TIE PUBLIC RIGHT.

Tirey L. Ford has telegraphed from
Washington to the Executive Commit
tee of the State Miners Association that
he has secured recommendation at the
hands of the Committee on Rivers and
Harbors providing for the appropria-
tion of $4,000 for the construction of
restraining barriers for the protection
of the Sacramento and Feather Rivers.
Mr.. Ford goes on to say that the work
he has accomplished in this matter has
been very laborious and difficult, but
that his triumph in achieving legisla-
tion favorable to the wishes especially
of hydraulic miners has been complete.
The object Is probably to construct
restraining dam at Deguire Point, some
twelve miles above Marysville. If that
is the purpose, it should be explicitly
provided by affirmative declaration that
any water power developed by the
construction of such works at public
cost shall belong to the public, and un-
der no circumstances be confiscated by
private greed. When such power is de-
veloped let 1t be disposed of for the ben
eft of all the people of the State. OBJ
viously the way to that end is through
advantage. 1t would be the hight of
absurdity to develop valuable water
power by use of public money for the
benefit of private interests.
It will be remembered that some
months ago the Record Union" called
attention to the fact that after the pas
sage of the Act amending the Civil Code
relative to water rights, and regarding
the taking of such rights, perfecting of
claims thereto within sixty days after
completion of any dam recommended by
the California Debris Commission, GER
tain parties had taken up, or claimed
to take up, all the water rights OF all
the streams tributary to the Feather
and Yuba, and had taken the Yuba it
self. and that this was intended to ef-
feet a grand coup for private interests.
This action now becomes more signifl-
cant than ever, and calls for guards to
be throws about the work to be done
under the recommended appropriation
referred to by Mr.. Ford, SO that it shall
not be possible for any water power
the proposed construction may develop
to be flched from the people, to whom
OF right it will belong.
In this connection we call attention to
the claim made by Mr.. Ford in his dis
patch which we have given above,
namely, that this accommodation of
money to be set aside for the construc-
tion Of restraining works is especially
favorable to the wishes of hydraulic
ly to be for the protection of the rivers
from what? The down flow OF mining
debris, of course. because it is that from
which the rivers need protection. But
there is another purpose back of this,
and what is that? Why, as Mr.. Ford
naively puts it, to accomplish the wishes
especially of hydraulic mining interests,
and they are, to have hydraulic mining
carried on behind such barrier or re-
straining work
1AlSs O1 NOuiSCs SPShS hP tHC 4uGSliOI
anew whether the thing is possible. But,
as we have said, any such restraining
dam as is probably contemplated will
also be likely to develop very valuable
water power, and the protection of that
interest for the people Of the State is
a matter that must be attended to in
the bill now, by affirmative and unmis-
taxable provision against any such
water rights being absorbed by private
parties
OF course, the suggestion of such pro-
vision will meet with warm approval in
Congress, because it ever has been the
policy of the Government in the use of
public money in improving rivers, clear
ing harbors and constructing sea walls
and restraining barriers to do so upon
the broad basis OF general public good.
and to avoid any possible contribution
to the schemes of gain by individuals.
THE BUSINESS VIEW OF 1T.
The New York Tribune" which q
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