The record-union. [volume] (Sacramento, Calif.) 1891-1903, 1899-06-12

sites for storage reservoirs in our
mountain ranges, the construction OF
which is entirely feasible. Water rights
along our rivers and their tributaries
have been taken already to the
full extent; there are no: contests to be
met with. in that direction.
The surplus waters we now have run
to waste Whenever they overload the
streams. To store such waters for use
In maintaining the integrity of the
rivers in theedry season, is therefore
one of the very highest offices to which
good citizenship can devote itself. Con-
gress is not likely to undertake the
work. Indeed it may be accepted as
settled that it will not. 1t becomes
therefore State question Of first i'm
portance. An Oakland contemporary
says upon this subject:
There are Indications at last that
something more than mere talk will at
tend the proposition to impound the
flood waters of the State, and thus build
up safeguard against the expensive
drouths that have been too frequent
during the past few years. The asso-
citation that has been formed to handle
the question Is as strong and sepresen-
ttative for the purpose as could be or
ganized, for it consists of such we'll
known capitalists and workers as I.
w. Hellman, E. B. Pond, George Devid-
son, Horace Davis, F. w. Dohrmann,
Hugh Craig, W. H. Mills, James D.
Phelan. Philip N. Lilienthal, Timothy
Hopkins and William Thomas.
In the open. letter they have framed
the issue is set forth in startling man.
ner, for it is shown that the drouth of
last year directly cost the State $40,-
100000, outside of what Ill results it
may have -occasioned in the line Of det-
rimental advertising.
The plan devised is, therefore, the
only logical one. 1t is that a conven-
ton be called of representative dele
gates from all parts Of the State, and
that the method then adopted be the
governing one. Whether or not sys-
tenn of private bonding or county in
debtedness shall be chosen is a matter
thrown open to discussion, and it is
pointed out that the proposition is en-
tfrely practicable because, even at a
minimum charge, the water could be
distributed so as to cover all operating
expenses and pay interest on the orig
| maj investment. The prospect is a man.
| moth. one, and in many respects the
most important now confronting Cali
fornia, for it has been made forcibly
7 evident of late that something must
be done on the water storage issue if
/ we desire to have the agricultural and
commercial interests of the State prop
erly protected.
The convention should be held IN the
Capitol, at the Capital of the State
It's character demands that dignity,
The Capital is the most central and
convenient place for such an assem-
blage, being especially central in its
relation to the catchment area and
water shed Immediately concerned. It
is in the very heart of the great val
leys which are deeply concerned in the
problem involved. Here the convention
will deliberate more calmly and will
suffer least from counter attractions
calculated to distract the attention of
delegates and tempt them from the
sessions.
Sacramento hospitality will readily
respond to the demand to care for the
comfort Of the members of the conven-
tion and their proper housing. Be
sides, in the matter of cony enience of
travel, Sacramento is best adapted to
conserve the rapid gathering Of the del
egates and the economic discharge of
their duties 1t ds to be hoped that
the Chamber Of Commerce will take
hold of this matter at once, and see to
it that this city is chosen as the place
of assembly Of the coming convention.
Matters look very dark for the Trans
vaal people England is concentrating
troops and supplies upon the border.
The Beers are arming and fortifying.
The politicians deny that England will
consent to ask the United States to
act as arbitrator, and the uitlanders
are holding mass meetings and urg-
ing England to reject the Boer PROPOSE
tons, and to insist upon equal rights
and privileges to all in the Transvaal,
foreigners and citizens alike. That is,
the demand is that the aliens be ad-
mitted to Boer citizenship without the
probation provided by the Boer law,
and without the restrictions President
Kreuger's Government has set up. AT
this distance it seems to be an impu-
dent and unreasonable demand, and
consequently American sympathy will
go out to the Beers, who upon their
own soil. to which they have undis-
puted title, maintain a republic and
make such restrictions regarding the
admission of aliens to citizenship as
to them seems proper.
Even as firm an anti expansion pa
per as the Cleveland "Plaindealer," an
open enemy Of the Administration,
says:
OF course the Government. must be
sustained, no matter how many men
are needed. AS we are committed
unless Congress decides upon some
other policy--to the establishment Of
the sovereignty" of the United States
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