The record-union., 1899-12-07

recognizes the action taken by the Gov
ernor, Auditing Board and Commls-
sioner of Public Works in preparing 70
continue the work already done unde!
State authority. and to continue 1t SO as
to improve the upper Sacramento, Bear,
Feather and Yuba Rivers.
Resolved. That this body shall lend
all aid in it's power to such ofhcers IN
the work of the Improvement OF the
Sacramento River and it's tributaries,
and in attempting to secure such adul-
tional legislation as may be needed 10
extend the field OF operation so as TO
provide for the Sacramento Valley
complete system of river improvement.
The second resolution was in these
words:
Whereas, The navigability of the
Sacramento River is a matter of prime
Importance to the citizens of Sacra .
mento, and all steps leading to the i'm
provement of said stream should be
fostered by this body;
Resolved, That if the commission for
the improvement of the Sacramento Xiv
er should report in favor of improving
the upper Sacramento River and It's
tributaries, and it should be deemed es-
sential to take any means to secure ap-
preparation for the purpose OF carrying
it's recommendation into effect, that
this body will use all proper means 10
aid in such result, and to secure the
necessary appropriation from Congress
to effectuate any recommendation thaI
may be made by the Sacramento River
Commission for the Improvement OF the
Sacramento River or it's tributaries
Both resolutions were unanimously
adopted.
In relation to river improvement,
Judge Hinkson said he had recently
called on Major Heuer, the Govern
ment engineer located at San Francisco,
and discussed with him the condition
of the Sacramento River. Major Heuer
showed him a map showing the con-
tour of the bed of the river taken at
three different times, and showing the
process Of filling in by debris since the
first Government survey in 1S4l.
Major Heuer said the shoals of the
river between this city and San Fran
cisco could be removed at a nominal
expense, and once that was done, the
river would be navigable for vessels as
large as those which came up the
stream in 1919. Judge Hinkson advised
any member interested in river work to
call on Major Heuer when in San Fran
cisco, look at the contour map and
listen to his plans for reclamation,
which he thought could be done by jet
ties or wingdams.
NOMINATION OF OFFICERS.
The Committee on Nominations re-
turned and reported the following
| tn
approval of the chamber:
Vice President-T L. Enwright.
Treasurer-Samuel Lavenson.
Directors-P. C. Drescher, Chairman
Committee on Commerce: H. ]. Small
Chairman Committee on Manufactures
G. NJ. Mott, Immigration and Lands
A. c. Hinkson, Mines and Mining; Ed
win I. Calvin, Ways and Means; c. NJ
Campbell, Statistics and Library; A. ]
Bruner, Law and Legislation; H. l.
Seymour Membership and Grievance,
S. I. Hopkins Parks and Public I'M
provements; Herman c. Fisher, Exhibi-
ton; George H. Clark, Reception; L.
Tozer, Public Affairs.
CHARTER AMENDMENTS.
President Miller called for expression
from members upon any other subject
of interest to the community and which
| the chamber could properly consider
. for the general welfare.
J. A Woodson called attention to the
fact that it was conceded on all hands
that the City Charter needed certain
. amendments. That being so, now was
the time to take up the question OF
| suggesting to the Trustees such amend
ments as should be submitted at the
next general election, when the sub
mission will cost the city nothing. H
asked the judgment of the chamber on
that question. If not taken up now
nothing could be done until 1903.
The President and several members
asked the speaker to indicate what pro-
cedure was. proper and in reply Mr.
Woodson said that it being the genera
judgment that certain changes were
necessary, they must be made under
the Constitution. That is, the Trus-
tees must submit to the people after
notice forty days preceding the cleo
ton, namely, in September next, what
ever propositions were to be voted upon
, in November. 1900.
A few years ago the Trustees unani-
mously agreed that amendments were
|
of seven citizens to consider the same
in connection with committee of the
board. The result was, after thref
months work. agreement on certain
amendments. They were not all thai
was desired, but they were adopted b5
the Trustees and advertised for sub
mission but the time was found to bt
too short. and SO the matter dropped
Doubtless the Trustees would be glao
to receive propositions from citizens
again.
Mr.. Luhrs asked in what directions
amendments were most essential L
was explained that they related to di
vision of responsibility being lessened
clearer definition of executive powers
. separation of the legislative, judicia
and executive, and some minor amend
Instances of error We're cited in tn.
, direction of the police department con
, fusion, as to whom heads of depart
ments should report, etc.
? ]. o. Coleman agreed with Mr.. Wood
soon that action should be taken tt
+ induce the Board of Trustees to appoin
l a committee of citizens to prepare de
: sired amendments to the charter.
f Mayor Land agreed that the charter
was badly in need of repairs. He sale
> that during his term Of Office he hae
2 been seriously handicapped, and tina
t the charter ought to be so amended
Y that the legislative could not encroacl
l upon the executive department.