The San Francisco call., 1897-12-22
State River Convention
in Session at the
Capital.
Congressman De Vries Sends a
Telegram Of Advice to
Members.
Ask That They Labor for National
Appropriation OF a Half
Million.
Special Dispatch to The Can.


SACRAMENTO, Dec. 21.-when the
River Convention met to-day it was
very evident that an undercurrent ex-
listed which would probably rise to the
surface before adjournment. This i'm
preston was sustained very shortly In
two instances, the first being the ad-
dress of Victor Stone of Marysville,
who, in speaking upon the general pur-
poses of the convention, said:
Il have been informed that Major
Heuer had expressed himself as a firm
friend of the miners"
1t was the duty of the United States,
the speaker said, to see to it that men
be appointed who had no personal pre-
ference, and whose sole duty it would
be to see that the best interests of
the Government were subserved. He
spoke of the past history of the Sacra-
mento river; how a river that had
been navigable for deep water vessels
for miles above Sacramento was now
filled with debris; how lands which
once were covered with orange groves
were now a desolate waste of marsh.
Suisun Bay only held half the water
that 1t formerly did, and the Govern
ment found il necessary to dredge at
Mare Island.
James K. O'Brien declared that ii
was not the purpose of the convention
to arraign those authorities from
whom aid was expected. What should
be done was to unite upon some plan
that would -ain aid from Congress.
An appropriation was what was
needed.
There was evidently an issue between
the chairman and the body Of the con-
Venton, but happily for all no discus
sion arose, and the deliberations pro-
ceeded on another tack, led by w. S.
Green or Colusa, who was of the opin-
ION that committee on resolutions
should be appointed. One thing he
wanted TO know was what had become
OF the $3OO,OO0 appropriated by the last
Legislature. He understood that the
money was given for the purchase of a
QreoSer, and that dredger had not
Deen purchased. He wanted to know
why 1t had not been purchased. He
would therefore move that a commit
tee De appointed to prepare resolutions
10 10 be acted upon by the convention.
Inc motion was carried.
r. 7. Devlin here read +aIegro -,
rom congressman Marion De Vries
containing suggestion to the conven-
Iioh- Inc telegram was as follows:
WASHINGTON, D. c., Dec. 21-Hon
robert I. Devlfh, Sacramento Cal The
present imperative initial step to river
ihLipfqvement I'm In California IS the report
Oy the sacramento River and Debris
commissions of plans for improvine tba
sacramento and Feather rivers This
should be followed by a Federal aDnro2
IoIsa PiIaCon ION OF at least half-million dol
iidrs idrs LOT dredging and otherwise improv-
ing SAID rivers. The efforts OF the CON
Tention in my humble judgment can best
De exercised toward the accomplish
ment OF these two objects. '''
MARION DE vR1Es.
Mr.. Devlin followed with the obser-
walton that it would probably he hest
for the convention to take nm the
matter suggested by Mr. Green. and,
as the Commissioner Of Public Works
was present, he thought that a few re-
marks from him would be proper.
Hon. Ed E Leake being then called
upon, made brief statement to the
convention, outlining the plans con-
tanned In ms report of 1895 and stating
what had been done by him in connec-
ton with contracts already let for tha
removal of the Newtown shoals.
Following Mr.. Leake came H. +.
Corcoran, chairman Of the Auditing
Board, who very plainly and thorough
ly explained his position. He declared
that the board and Mr.. Leake were
working in perfect harmony and had
but one common desire. and that was
to accomplish some good for the State
in the expenditure Of the $500, 900 appro-
priation.
Mr.. Corcoran was fol- owed by Mr..
Cutter and others who did not agree
with him on the question Of the policy
to purchase no dredger out Of the an
preparation unless it was absolutely
necessary. Mr. Corcoran claimed that
it was impossible to bring about the
rectification of the river in certain re-
spects without the aid of dredgers. Mr..
Cutter said that the purpose Of the
Legislature was to purchase one, and
the policy had been determined by that
body, and nothing was left but for the
Auditing Board to carry out the pro-
visions of the bill and purchase q State
dredger.
Then, acting upon a resolution of
censure offered by Mr.. Cutter, the con-
vention referred 1t to the committee on
resolutions. which reported a substi-
tute. When the substitute was reported
another long debate followed, which
was finally settled by r. t. Devlin, who
offered a substitute for the whole sim
ply expressing the sentiment of the
convention as favoring the dredger and
requesting the auditing board to pur-
chase one.
This agitation consumed the greater
part Of the session, but sufficient
time was taken to memorialize Con-
gress for national aid in the preserva-
ton Of California's navigable rivers.
After the convention adjourned the
executive committee held a meeting
and elected DR.. c. e. Stone of Yuba
president and Will s. Green of Colusa
treasurer, and assessed each county
represented 5000.
1t was also decided to send three del
egates to Washington to aid in Sc
curing an appropriation, Senator
Gleayes Of Shasta and p. A Buell. of
San Joaquin were selected. The DEL
egate from Sacramento was not select
ed, but will be either William John
..A-a - u