The record-union., 1898-06-17
De VRlES' VICTORY.
HIS GREAT FIGHT FOR THE DE-
BRIs COMMISSION.
He Meets and Defeats the Willy
Congressman From Illinois,
Mr.. Cannon.

upon the prOpOSltlOn 10 DING the = Gu
eral Government and the State of
California into harmony for the ex-
penditure by each OF $250,0 600 for i'm
provement of the Sacramento River and
it's tributaries by construction of works
to restrain the deposition Of debris in
the rivers.
| We give below the full debate from
| the Congressional Record that read
| ers of the Record Union may under
stand the difficulties under which Con-
gresham DeVries labors in getting
legislation through Congress for work
| related to rivers in California.
| The opposition was led by Mr.. Can
no of Illinois, the Chairman of the
Ways and Means Committee, the most
important of all legislative committees.
Against him were pitted Congressman
DeVries of this district, who, aided by
several Of his colleagues, completely
| overthrow the objections of Mr.. Can
non, which, had they prevailed, would
have defeated legislation upon the
subject for this Congress.
| 1t will be observed that Representa-
tive DeVries handled the matter in a
mastery way, that his presentation OF
the subject had the strength Of simplic-
ity and lucidity, and that he succeeded
in carrying the House with him against
the most powerful influence that could
be marshaled on the subject in the
House of Representatives.
The entire debate will we'll repay
reading, because it involves a subject
| of so much interest in this State. and
| illustrates the work of getting Fed
eral legislation in motion for Califor-
MIA, and likewise the readiness and skill
with which the Representative from
this district meets opposition to legis-
lation for California interests
/ The Speaker-The question is on the
| motion of the gentleman from Cali
fornia to recede and concur in the SEN
ate amendment.
| The motion was agreed to-
| The next amendment was read as
| follows: Page 76, after line two, in
sert: For the purpose of CARRYING out
the following provision of the River
and Harbor Act Of 1896: For the con-
struction of restraining barriers for
the protection of the Sacramento and
Feather Rivers in California, $3.50, 900,
such restraining barriers to be con-
structed under the direction of the
Secretary of War in accordance with
the recommendations of the California
Debris Commission, pursuant to the
4 provisions of, and for the purposes set
forth in Section 25 of the Act of the
Congress of the United States, entitled
| An Act to create the California De-
bris Commission and regulate hydraulic
mining in the State of California" an
proved March 1, 1893: Provided, That
the Treasurer of the United States be-
and he is hereby, authorized to receive
from the State of California, through
the Debris Commission of said State or
other officer thereunto duly authorized
any and all sums of money that have
nave been, or may hereafter be. appro-
| prlated by said State for the purposes
herein set forth. And said sums when
! SO received and hereby appropriated
Tor the purposes above named. to be
4 expended in the manner above provid-
ed and for the further purpose of
making available to the United States
the appropriation, or any part thereof
made by the provisions Of an Act of
the Legislature of the State of Califor-
MIA, approved March II, 1897. entitled
An Act to amend an Act entitled "An
Act to provide for the appointment.
| duties and compensation of a Debris
Commissioner, and to make appropria-
tion to be expended under his direc-
tlons in the discharge of his duties as
such commissioner, approved March "a
1886 and of said amended Act. the
| Secretary Of War is hereby authorized.
in the preparation for and the construc
ton of the proposed works authorized
and appropriated for by the aforesaid
provisions, to enter into an agreement
that the contractor shall look solely TO
the State Of California, for one-half
OF such expense, to be paid out of such
| appropriation, and the United States
shall in no manner be liable for said
one-half"
MT Cannon-I move that the House
insist on it's disagreement to this
amendment Of the Senate
Mr.. De Vries arose.
The Speaker = Does the gentleman
from Illinois yield to the gentleman
from California?
Mr.. De Vries-I desire to move that
the House recede from its disagreement
and concur in the Senate amendment
Mr. Cannon-Does the gentleman de-
sire to be heard on that proposition?
Mr.. De Vries-Yes, sir.
MT Cannon Il yield the gentleman
nve minutes, and 1 want to say to the
Rouse to give attention to this matter.
because, while it is not a river and
narbor Improvement, it is question of
| 'eAy Sledl importance.
Mr.. De vries-Mr. Speaker am un
able to conceive of any reason why
| there should be the least opposition to
the proposition embraced in this
amendment. The history Of this pro-
position is short. In 1896 Congress de-
/ terfnined to enter upon the improve
ment OF the Sacramento River. CaIifor-
MA; and part of the system of i'm
provement determined upon was The
construction of debris dams at the
neadwaters Of that river and it's tribu-
taries, particularly the Feather River.
In accordance with that determination.
congress appropriated $3.50 900 for the
work OF constructing debris dams. to
De constructed in accordance with cer
tam other Federal legislation named.
Ihat appropriation was made in 1896
IL Is available for use for that purpose
! To-Day, and has been so available since
the appropriation was made. It was
represented by the gentlemen who an
peared at Washington in behalf of that
appropriation that If it should be made.
lne state of California would meet
CONGRESS half way. and appropriate a
| slfhliar sum for the same purpose.
Ihose gentlemen returned to California
ana the appropriation was made by the
state In accordance with their promise
but upon investigation it was found
tnat tnat appropriation, being directed
70 De paid into the Federal Treasury
ulrectiy by the State Act appropriating
the same, could not be so paid under
the Constitution ~ N,,,fa~..~ y,