The record-union., 1898-06-17

| by which this appropriation made by
the State could be availed OF for this
purpose. Accordingly I addressed the
Secretary Of War, and the matter was
laid before the Judge Advocate Gen.
eral, that he might decide upon some
provision of law to be enacted by Con-
gress, if possible, whereby the State of
California could carry out the repre-
sentations upon which said Federal ap-
preparation was obtained and its desire
in the matter, and in such manner
that might avail the Federal Govern
ment Of the sum Of $2jO.OOO now in
the State Treasury to meet the sum
already in the Federal Treasury for
the purpose contemplated.
The proposition embraced in this
amendment is the result of that opin-
ion. 1t has been prepared in accord
ance with the opinion of the Judge
Advocate General of the War Depart
ment. 1t was submitted to him after
it was prepared; and he approved of it's
provisions, declaring it was the proper
enactment to be passed in order that
the money now in the treasury Of the
State, of California could be availed CT
for this purpose. That is statement
of the history of the proposition.
/ The carrying into effect of this
amendment will simply enable the Fed
eral Treasury and the War Depart
ment to utilize the sum Of $3.50 900
now in the treasury of California, ap-
propriated for the purpose of carrying
out this project. 1t does not take a
cent Of money from the Federal Treas
Jury. On the contrary, it puts $3.50. OOD
into the treasury. 1t does not hasten
the expenditure Of l cent Of money now
in the Federal Treasury; but on the
contrary, it will delay the expenditure
| OF that money by the use of the money
| in the treasury Of the State Of Cali
! fornia
The law as it stands does not require
| that the War Department should await
| any action on the part of the people Of
California. 1t does not require that
| this appropriation should be made by
the State of California. In the natural
| course of events, therefore, the officers
having charge of this Improvement
would proceed in accordance with the
| law and adopt plans for the work, and,
| When they come to let the contract,
would let it in such way that the
| money would be drawn from the Fed
eral Treasury alone unless this amend
| ment be carried into effect
Mr.. Loud--Will my colleague allow
| me a question?
Mr.. De Vries-Yes, sir; with pleasure.
Mr.. Loud-Is not this amendment
simply provision to permit the use
| of the S25O,0O0 appropriated by the
State of California? Is not that just
what this proposition resolves itself
into?
| Mr. De Vries-That is all. It does not
4 take a Of tod 70
Treasury; it does not hasten the use of
a cent in the United States treasury;
| it does not affect the proceedings of
the Government engineers in any de-
| gree. 1t simply enables the Govern
ment engineers when they come to pay
| for this work to call on the State of
| California for half of the money, in
stead of calling on the United States
for the whole of it, and to this extent
| will reserve the funds in the Federal
| treasury
/ MIR. Canhon-Mr. Speaker, as / under
stand this matter (and ask the atten-
/ ton of the gentleman from California;,
| under legislation heretofore enacted in
| California there was a Debris Commits
| sion authorized, looking toward the i'm
provement of rivers that had filled up
with detritus from hydraulic mines
| the Sacramento and Feather Rivers. /
understand that there was Federal leg
| islation which committed the United
| States to the payment Of one-half the
amount necessary to clean out those
| rivers.
| Mr.. De Vries-Oh, no; legislation
| which committed it to the payment of
| the whole amount
| Mr.. Cannen-Why, then, do the peo-
pie Of California want to pay half?
Mr.. De Vries-Because they can get
more work DONE
Mr.. Cannon-Well, l do not under
stand that. I have in my hand here
the River and Harbor Act of 1896,
which appropriates for improving Sac
ramento and Feather Rivers and their
tributaries, and authorizes the Secre-
tary to appoint board of three engi-
neers to make surveys of said rivers
and submit a plan for the improvement
of said rivers and the navigation there
on, and to have charge of the work
above recommended as appropriations
are made therefor: Said board may,
under the direction of the Secretary Of
War, expend any balance now remain
ing to the credit of said rivers in the
improvement of the same
Then, for the construction Of re-
straining barriers for the Sacramento
and Feather Rivers in California,
$3.50, 900.
Mr.. Barham-That is it.
Mr.. Cannon-Such restraining bar
| riers to be constructed under the di-
| rection of the Secretary of War in ac-
cordance with the recommenda tions of
the California Debris Commission, pur-
suant to the provision of, and for the
purposes set forth in Section 25 Of the
Act Of Congress to regulate hydraulic
mining in the State Of California
Mr.. Barham-That is the Caminetti
Act.
Mr.. Cannon-Now, here comes the
proviso: Provided, That the Treasury
of the United States be and is author
lied to receive from the State Of Cali
fornia, from the commission Of said
| State or other officer thereunto duly
| authorized, any and all sums of money
| that have been or may hereafter be
appropriated by said State for the pur-
pose herein set forth; and said sums
when SO received are hereby appropri-
ated for the purposes above named, to
be expended in the manner above pro-
vided."
Mr.. De vries-Now, gentlemen, will
observe that the first commission men,
| toned in the Act referred to which is
to report plans is not the Debris Com
mission. 1t is a separate and distinct
commission, altogether, the functions
of which are the Improvement of the