The Shasta courier., 1860-03-31
SHASTA COURIER.
The San Francisco Buikhead Question.

tions of its huge rascality. 1t gives Levi Par
sons and others the power of monopolizing the
entire dock frontage of San Francisco for the
term of fifty years. 1t is the most disgusting
unblushing, internal, rascally, scoundrelly
scheme to enrich parcel of unconscionable
spectators and swindlers that was ever concoct-
ed in any country or presented to any Legisla-
ture. 1t is disgrace to the State that it is per-
mitted by Legislators to be treated with re-
spect.
We of course feel no sort of interest in the
personal contest going on between the various
San Francisco human dogs over this delicious
bone. We pay no sort of attention to the cry
of those who now say there is no Bulkhead
needed, for few years ago when they were ap-
plying for the privilege OF building it, they
by all the saints in the calendar, by all the
boards Turk ever swore by, that Bulkhead
was Indispensable to the preservation of the
harbor of San Francisco. We believed so then.
We believe so now. Hence the Legislature
should give the needed legislation to accomplish
this great good. But do not pass the Parsons
bill, and thus infict an evil upon the State Sc.
cond alone to total destruction of the harbor.-
Do not give those speculating lawyers fran
chise covering the entire FIVE miles water front
of San Francisco, and extending through almost
two generations. A good and substantial
Bulkhead may be built, say competent judges,
in from "a to 80 months time, for from one to
two and half millions of dollars, and from ten
to twenty years concession of the revenues. On
these terms competent mechanics will agree and
bind themselves to build a Bulkhead, the struc-
ture entire, at the end of the term of years na-
med, to be surrendered free Of charge to the city
of San Francisco
On the other hand the bill before the Legis-
lature, as we understand, proposes to give Par
sons & Co. si1 years time to build the Bulkhead
in, the revenues thereof for fifty years, and the
Bulkhead itself forever,-or what is virtually the
same, until the builders are paid, out ofthis reU-
enue the cost of the construction, the cost of its
management, and 10 per cent upon the whole
outlay of the corporation from the commence
ment of the building of the Bulkhead to the mo-
ment of its passing out of the hands of Parsons
L Co. No man lives who believes that if these
men are given the revenues of the Bulkhead un-
til they receiue enough heretrom to pay all these en-
peuses, that it will ever pass from their hands
have not reached the cost of the structure and
the cost of its management.
Here then the reader will see how the case
stands: The Parsons bill gives lot of specula-
ting lawyers the power to monopolze the water
front of San Francisco for fifty years, by the
building ofa Bulkhead, gives them six years in
which to construct the Bulkhead, and then af-
ter they have had the revenues therefrom (some
$500 900 or 100000 per year, for fifty years,
agrees to pay these specializing lawyers or their
representatives, the original cost of the work,
the entire expenses of its management and re-
pairs for fifty years, together with ten per cent
on these two items combined, while other COM
petent men are anxious to do the same work in
from two to two and half years, for the rev.
enues thereof for from ten to twenty years-the
structure then to pass to the City free of al
charged
In view of these facts, we ask the honest read
sr, was there ever eoneocted more Infamous
and rasealiy scheme to rob a community than
this Parsons Bulkhead project2
Why, look at it again. The Bulkhead will
cost about 81, goo 900, if built on the most SUBJ
stantia@ plan. The wharf revenues now amount
tD,about $500 cooper year. OF course they will
increase with the growth of the city. In ten or
twenty years they May double and treble. But
say they remain just as now, S4OO,O per year.
In fifty years the company will have received o
revenue of S2o,oOo,OoO for the two millions
originally invested. Their books will doubtless
show that the cost of the work, of the repairs
and management, have swallowed up this $780,
o0o, o,000-so that at the end of the fifty years
they will ask to be paid considerably over S2O,-
ooo,eee for what will by that time have world
wide noseriety as being the most infamous
monopoly that ever disgraceaa State OF cursed
city. These fellows know that long before
the expiration of fifty years the city of San Fran
cisco will herself give that amount to get free
from their grip.
If they were honest in this matter, were actu-
ated by public spirit State pride, united with
patriotism, they would be perfectly willing that
the Legislature should authorize the construc-
tion of this work, and then let it out by sections
70 the lowest responsible bidder. But no, that
does not suit Levi Parsons Co. They are
afraid'to. .admitthe honest mechanics of the State
TO fair competition with them The reason is,
they desire to rob and not benefit the State and
people. Why do not our legislators give the
right to build State Capitol to some particular
iavorite? Why do they propose to let the build
ing of that structure to the lowest responsible
bidder? Clearly that it may be done with the
least expense to the people. Let them be actu-
ated by the same motive in authorizing the
building Of a Bulkhead in front of San Francis
ooI Let it out to the lowest responsible bidder.
Advertise for proposals from the mechanics and
contractors Of the world at large. Let Levi
Parsons take his chance with honest bidders
Then if he gets it, we'll But do not legisf,te for
his exclusive benefit, lest it soon be said of Won
as it now is Of him, that his name stinks in the
nostrils of honest men.
Has- Col. Anthoney, ofthe Sacramento Union
recently attempted to get an idea into the head
of a Nc. Sriblng ri ct arms. S. made forc;ble
opposition. The two caverted over 7 stre., e..