The record-union., 1899-02-09
At The SUFFER- CLUB ROOMS
tcontinued from FIfth Page.)

MR. STEFFENS' REMARKS.
Mr.. President and Gentlemen: The
great question among the many, which
from time to time calls for our best
care and attention, Is the improvement
of the Sacramento River and its tribu
taries. The more frequent and earnest
this question is considered the more ap-
parent is its Importance.
The difficulties and complications con-
nected with the work, and our famil
iarity with the devastation caused by
the heretofore injured and neglected
Waterways, have seemed to combine in
making the proposition an immense
undertaking.
There is so much to be considered
and to be done that the proposition calls
for the best thought to be followed by
continued effort.
The large interests of the great val
| leys of this half of the State, added to
the transportation features involved.
makes it the most important question
before the people Of this State.
| Our difficulties are increased by vir-
tue of being located to one side of the
nation and our limited representation
| in Congress.
At this time and for years past, the
great populations of the Mississippi and
Missouri River Valleys are united and
of one mind from the delta to the heads
| of navigation of their two great rivers
as to the necessity of prompt and eff
fective Government care of waterways.
] There conventions from time to time
are held at different leading places Of
those valleys in order to cement inter-
| est and to secure cooperation.
ThQv ro a1raadv a. great and incraaS-
ing power in Congress, and the river
and harbor appropriations are being
closely looked after by their members
in Congress, backed by special commit
| tees from the people whom they repre-
sent
| 1t would be we'll on our part to COM
municate with that organization and
get in touch with it, as I understand
that it has suggested such action to
this chamber.
1t is generally recognized to be the
special duty of Chambers of Commerce
and like organizations of a State to
further all possible usefulness Of its
waterways.
While for many years this city has
been the center Of much discussion and
consideration Of the river problem. no
real satisfactory line of action was set
tied on until about three years ago,
when, through the efforts of the Hon.
Grove L. Johnson and his associates in
Washington, Congress established a
commission to report on the Sacra-
mento and Feather Rivers.
! The creating Of this commission was
probably the commencement OF good
results that are henceforth to follow.
from time to time If the undertaking
is we'll followed by those upon whom
the responsibility rests.
| The Government by establishing this
commission was evidence that the ne
cessity for its existence has been we'll
presented.
The way was opened. for the Govern
ment to get it's information from its
own engineers and practical agents.
| The reports of the commission at
once command consideration, and that
gives a standing to those. who have to
secure appropriations for APPROVED sci
entific work.
/ When we consider the xastness OF
| this country, it's great variety of In
terests, the large undertakings we'll un-
der way at all times by the Govern
ment, and all backed by we'll organized
local effort when these asked for ap-
propriations are aggregated and the
river and harbor bill has reached many
millions of money beyond official esti-
mates deemed possible to allow, it is
at once apparent that the man who is
almost single handed can secure an ap-
preparation for new work, or for work
that could possibly be postponed, must
be most earnest, hopeful, persistent and
! persevering.
| The Hon Marion De Vries has led
the effort, and secured a new approprd-
alton of $4,000; had a balance of $685.
| 600 made available for expenditure, and
has other appropriations of some $2o0,-
600 we'll in hand. It is essential that
his work be appreciated and that his
hands be strengthened.
4 Our men in Congress have a crowded
desk all of the time, and it is for the
/ committee of this chamber to enlist
State backing, to promote harmony OF
action ON the part of the United States
Army Engineers, the State Commits
sioner of Public Works. the Auditing
Board, and all local Boards of Trade,
etc.. in order that no one interest
will be found working at cross pur-
poses with that which may be gener-
ally considered as feasible and desir-
able, and which may be approved by
our Congressman in washington.
| This question should be firmly
grasped by this chamber and pushed
vigorously all the time. In fact, It
should not hesitate to consider, deliber-
| ate and carefully advise on all PROPOSE
| tions of public concern, for it represents
all interests of this city, or If any In
terest is not so represented it can be
for a. pittance, and therefore its duty
| Is plain, and its privilege should be
unquestioned.
| All well-meaning and right seeking
officials will be not only willing. but
gladly counsel and confer with you at
all times.
| I wish now to offer the following res
olutions, and ask that they be adopted:
| Resolved, by the Sacramento Cham
| Der of Commerce, That we now fully
recognize the value and Importance OF
the good initiative work done for the
| Improvement of the Sacramento River
and its tributaries; therefore. we here
| by tender to the Hon. Grove l. john
| son and his associates in Congress our
thanks for securing the appointment by
the General Government of the Sacra-
mento and Feather River Commission
Resolved, by the Sacramento Cham
| Der Of Commerce, That realizing the
great benefit which the improvement
Of the Sacramento River and it's tribu-
taries will have on commerce, the In
creased production and the preserva-
tion of valuable lands, hereby tender to
the Hon. Marion De Vries and his as
e.1,;o+es y, CororoSc orr sincere thanks