The record-union., 1898-06-17
De VRIES' VICTORY.
(Continued from Second Page.)

(Continued from Second Page)
River and Harbor Act OF 1880 10 au-
thorize the Federal Treasurer 10 re-
ceive any sums Of money the State OF
California might thereafter appropriate
to aid in carrying out this work But
It is not made a condition precedent TO
the carrying out of the work that the
State or California shall appropriate II,
or~that it shall be made available by
the State to the Engineering Depart
ment. nor is it so held by the War De-
partment.
On the contrary, the War Depart
ment has proceeded to make 1nvestiga-
tionS for and to prepare the necessary
plans, and they are now upon the eve
of the commencement of this work.
This provision in the River ana dar-
Dor Act, however, has been found to be
faulty in that our State, under its Con-
stitution, is not enabled to pay into the
Federal Treasury in lump sum the
$3.50, 600 appropriated by the State, be-
cause it would be in violation OF the
Constitution of the State Of California.
Consequently the only way IN Whlch
the State can keep its good falth ana
make available to the United states
the sum which it promised in case TINS
other appropriation was MADE is TO
enact such a law as was done by the
State Legislature of 1897, providing
these funds to be paid out under the
State Constitution and laws, which, In
order to avail the United States Gov
ernment of these funds, must be met
iby provision of law such as is in this
amendment here provided for. whereby,
when the Secretary of War lets the con-
tract for this work, he can require that
the contractor shall not look soleiy TO
the Government of the United states
for his pay, but shall look partly to the
State Of California; that is, for one
half of the sum.
There is no condition here that will
hurry this work; that is, the amend
ment will not hasten the expenditure or
@ single dollar in the Federal Treasury
to get an additional dollar for every
dollar that it expends.
Mr.. Sayers-Will the gentleman al
low me to ask him question?
Mr.. De Vries-Yes; certainly.
Mr.. Sayres-Do understand the gen.
tleman correctly in saying that the sole
purpose of this amendment is to allow
the Federal Government to avail itself
of the appropriations already made and
which may hereafter be made by the
State of California?
Mr.. De Vries-By the State Of Cali
fornia; that is correct.
Mr.. Sayres-And no other purpose?
Mr.. De vries-No other purpose.
Mr.. Barham-That is all.
Mr.. Sayres-Another question: In
the event that this provision should fail,
then do I understand the gentleman
from California also to say that the
Federal Government would still prose-
cute this work?
Mr.. De Vries-Undoubtedly It is do
ing it now at time when the War De-
partment holds this State fund is not
available in that the State and Federal
Governments are not connected in this
matter.
Mr.. Sayres-Under legislation already
enacted?
Mr.. De Vries-Already in existence.
Mr.. Sayres-And would Of itself pay
all of the expenses connected with the
performance of the work?
Mr.. De Vries-It would. That is the
understanding Of the War Department,
under which it is now proceeding.
Mr.. Barham-And could not make
available this S250,0O0 appropriated by
the State Of California.
Mr. De vries-If we do not adopt this
amendment, the Government Of this
United States will simply throw away
the use of S250,O00 now in the treasury
of the State of California, which we
are anxious they should devote to the
construction of these dams.
Mr.. Sayres-Thens will ask the gen.
tleman third question, because l am
very much impressed with his explana-
ton Of the amendment. What interest,
then, has the Representative from Cali
fornia in attempting to secure the adop-
ton Of this amendment?
Mr.. De Vries-Because we will get
the result of the use Of all Of this money
in a worthy and proper cause. If such
were not beneficial to a large portion
of our people, and proper, the State
would not have appropriated it. 1t is
a great work.
Mr.. Loud-We pledged ourselves to
do it.
Mr. De vries-We. pledged ourselves
to do 1T. We want to carry out our
promise, and will get the benefit of the
expenditure of all this money The
only difference is, If this amendment is
not carried into effect, we will not get
SO much work done with S25O,OOO as we
should with S5O0,000.
Mr.. Hilborn-There is $3.50, 900 in the
treasury of the State of California to
be used for that purpose.
Mr.. Cannon-Let me ask the gentle
man on that point. There was $3.50, 900
appropriated on the condition or with
the limitation that I have just read in
the River and Harbor Act of 1896.
Mr.. De Vries-I beg your pardon, it
is neither a condition nor a. limitation,
nor is 1t so construed by the War De-
partment. Upon the contrary. they are
proceeding, irrespective OF whether or
not this money in the treasury of the
State Of California is made available.