The Placer herald., 1858-12-25
The Bulkhead Scheme.


If any of our readers entertain doubt
about there being much work for legislators
to do at Sacramento this winter, we would
quiet their apprehensions in that regard by
informing them that the San Francisco
Bulkhead Scheme is 'up and doing" and
promises work and trouble for many DAYS of
the session. Of course there are rival pro-
jects, and already we hear omnous mutter-
ing from the Bay press, which are, as yet,
the rumblngs of the distant thunder that ere
while will break upon our ears with stunning
reverberations. There's storm brewing
upon the subject, and it will be a fortunate
bulkhead craft that can weather it without
damage.
But word with reference to this "Bulk-
heal," a project which we people of the
mountains are not supposed to be familiar
with or to take much part in discussing, it
being a San Francisco measure entirely.
However, the interior of the State has an
indirect interest in having permanent bulk
head and wharves built for the future accom-
mediation of the great shipping trade that
must grow up and center at San Francisco,
the commercial emporium of the Pacific
The Bulkhead must be built; that much
is certain. But when and by whom, seems
the great trouble The sooner the work is
commenced the better, is conceded by near
ly all, but they differ much whether it should
be by the State, City, or private individuals.
Our own opinion is that the State should
have nothing to do with it further than to
prevent the preparation of wrong, and if it
have any remaining interest in the water
front the sooner it is exchanged for hard
dollars the better. We do not think the
City should undertake the work, and aid to
the already enormous debt that weighs upon
tax-burdened people. To the hands of
private company we think should be com
mitted the enterprise, who should enjoy all
the franchises granted in the premises for
certain term of years, at the expiration Of
which time the improvements to revert to the
city upon the payment of their appraised
value.
A company could build a sea wall at a
less price than the city possibly could; and
if it be provided that the city could ultrima
tely purchase the improvements, when the
time arrived for so doing the finances of
San Francisco would better admit of it than
now.
We say let a company build the sea wall
but let the act granting the privilege be
as strong as iron bars to hold the parties
strictly to honesty and fair dealings.
Ess- The San Francisco papers are pub
fishing the evidence in the case of Joey
Gougenheim as. the Barque Glympse. The
uncourteous conduct of the Captain, in not
allowing Miss Joey plenty of sugar for
sweetening, is apparent from the evidence
RAIN DRops ON THE RooF.-At this writ
ing the rain drops are pattering nlusicaly
upon the roof, giving evidence of "good
time" in store for our mining population.
Ex~ A Washington letter writer says that
Jos. G. McKibben does not intend to claim
a seat in Congress under the last September
election. He. will try his chances against
the Democratic candidate in 1859. So mote
it be; Joseph can then have the bitter salts
faction of ascertaining how low he has fallen
in the estimation of the people of California.