The record-union., 1897-01-14

ample provision for the building and
dams to restrain the heavy debris, and
also to aid the farmers and people OF the
valley generally in purchasing dredgers
ana using the same in clearing the nav
igable streams of all matter held in sus-
pension - otherwise 'slickens.
1t is thought that the restraining
barriers will successfully keep back the
heavier material, and that proper use
of dredgers will clear the rivers of slick
ems so that mining can be resumed with
out injury to any other interest
We believe we shall have the coop
Grafton of farmers and fruit growers.
and a companion bill to this one viii
be presented by the agriculturists ask
ing for assistance toward the dredgers.
1T should be understood that these
appropriations are only entering
wedges We believe that the Govern
ment of the United States should bear
the heavy expense of building barriers
and of dredging for the State at large.
But by a judicious use of this money
we hope to prove the project feasible
and so induce the Federal Government
to undertake the greater work.
willie I1uulpOlol LII AAiC -Noi SAA t'''N-
Los Angeles in the South have had
Federal assistance for their harbors, the
central part of the State has yet tn
receive much needed help from the Gov
ernment."
Mr.. Seward stated that the Commit
tees on Mines and Mining of the Sem
ate and House will hold a joint meeting
this morning with the Committee on
Public Works, which has the agricult-
ural interests in charge. Major Gillette
of the Federal Commission will be pres
ent with the joint committees.
ONE PROPOSED BILL.
The convention lately held in this city
for the purpose of securing legislation
to secure the improvement of the nav
gable streams and the protection or
lands from floodwaters appointed COM
mittee to draft a bill for that purpose.
That committee has performed the work
assigned it and the following is the bill
to be presented:
An Act providing for the appoint
ment of an Auditing Board to the Com
missioner of Public Works. authorizing
and directing him and them TO per-
form certain duties relating to drain
age. 90 purchase IlldCilLiACISS bCCis's
dredgers. and appliances therefor. to
improve and rectify water channels, to
erect banks and levees necessary and
incident to said drainage, to condemn
land and property for the purposes
aforesaid. making certain acts a felony.
and making an appropriation of money
for the purposes of this Act.
The people of the State of California,
4 III
do enact as follows:
Section l. Within thirty days after
the passag ge of this Act the Governor
shall appoint five persons, who shall be
citizens of the State of California, and
who, after the first appointment, shall
hold office for four years after their
appointment who shall be known as
the Auditing Board to the Commis-
sioner of Public Works. They must,
within fifteen days after receiving no
tice of their appointment, meet in the
city of Sacramento and organize by
selecting from their number a Presi-
dent and Secretary. But of those ap-
pointed under this Act the term OF
Office of two shall be for two years. and
the term of the others for four years,
and the Governor shall designate. in
their commissions, their respective
terms. Thereafter all shall be ap-
pointed for four years. All vacancies
shall be filled in like manner by ap-
pOintment from the Governor, but the
person appointed to fill vacancy shall
fill only the unexpired term. The Gov
ernor shall be ex-officio a member of
the board. and when present shall pre-
side at the meetings. No member
thereof shall recover any compensa-
ton whatever, but they may be paid
their reasonable travelling expenses in
attending meetings, to be audited by
the Board of Examiners. They shall
meet at Sacramento City once in two
months and oftener if required.
Section ,. For the purposes of this
Act the report of the Commissioner
of Public Works, dated November 16,
1896, and accompanying reports and
plans of engineers, shall be adopted and
made the basis of operations, and the
plans therein specified for promoting
drainage and improving and rectifying
river channels, shall, as far as practi-
cable, be carried out and finished as
herein provided.
Section 3. The Commissioner of
Public Works shall have charge and
superintendence of all work authorized
by this Act, and shall employ and di-
rect all employees, but no expenditure
shall be made without the sanction of
the Auditing Board. The Commissioned
of Public Works shall determine the
character and extent of the work to be
done i'm accordance with the said re-
port, and shall have full power to carry
on and complete the same.
Section 4. There is hereby appropriat-
ed, out of any money in the State treas
ury, not otherwise appropriated, the
sum of 100000, to be paid to the said
Auditing Board, and to be expended for
the purposes hereinafter specified, to
wit: For the purchase, construction
and operation of one or more dredgers,
or machines. and appliances. to inn
prove and rectify the river channels Of