The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1878-04-01
RALsTONs LIST SCHEME.
And How senator sharon IL Carrying Il Ont.
tot the Disgust OF San Francisco.

SAN FRANCISCO, March 20.--The earliest
supply Of hydrant wator for this city was drawn
from n small lake lust outside Of tho city limits
of that period. Tho reservoir belonged to the
city. but was turned over under certain rcstric-
tions to private company. As the city grew
in population. other ponds and reservoirs were
brought into rcquisition and moro ambitious
water company WIS formed, which purchased
the rights of the earlier companies, and ac-
quired the whole available water supply Of the
peninsula. upon the northern limit Of which
san Francisco is built The Spring Valley Wa
ter Company has thus enjoyed the exclusive
privilege VI supplying the people OF tho grow
ing town with water. and its oxar tons have
grown In proportion to its power until they
have become unbcarallr. Water meters arc
placed in overy house. and charge of Is cents
to Z per gallon IL vigorously cxacted
The only remedy for this subsection to n
grasping companyi is the purchase by the city
of the Spring Valley Works ut an eNorhitant
price. or tho introduction Of n new supply OF
water from distant lakes which can only bc
reached 10y going round or across, NJ bay
of san Francisco. The Legislature of 1876 APP
pointed Il commission To- decide upon the pur-
chase OF Spring Valley or the buiid,ng 81 now
works. Thur decision was to be ratified by the
Supervisors anu confirmed by the citizens Of
san Francisco. The commissioners, nccompa-
MED hya staff ofcngincers andcNperts iourncycd
over the State tO eNamin" the various lakes and
rivers in the foot hills OF the Sierras and on
their return made an elaborate report in favor
of purchasing the Blue Lakes. lying about 100
miles away. Contracts for the purchase, and
tho construction of the necessary works 10 bring
the water into the city. were prepared and
signed by the commissioners and the vendors
ana contractors. when ii WAS discovered that
the commission was not empowered to contract.
The whole subject was referred back 10 tho
Legislature. and a fresh opportunity was given
10 the Spring Valley Company manipulate the
lawmakers and Kill the Blue Lake scheme.
which. If successful, would be death to the mo-
The Spring Valley Company claims to have
expended some sli 900 900, 81. 900 600 NJ which
has been expended in extensions and new
works with in the last three wears. This estimate
is no doubt. consd crably above the actual
cost ~ the land and works hut letting that
pass. the managers OF the company expect to
sell to the city for sl50mOoQ which will give
them very large profit on their own estimates.
This was to have been the browning speculation
Of Mr. lialston. who had managed To secure a
very heavy interest in the shares which he
pledge to the Bank OF California and various
banks and savings institutions. where they have
since remained. He conidently expected to
wipe of his enormous Indebtedness and re-
trieve his broken fortune by this gigantic specu-
lation. in which he was deeply and earnestly
engaged duringthe year Immediately preceding
his tragic death
Mr.. Ralston's share in the Spring Valley spec
ulation WAS assumed 10y Senator sharon. and 1t
il generally understood here that the senator's
fortunes depend upon tho successful compile
ton OF the sale Of the property ut high figures.
To accomplish thnt result he is working with
great sagncly and untiriug energy ana II now
looks ms fur would succeed. While this question
upon which his fortunes are staked 10 pending.
Senatorial none. and responsibilities have no
attraction fcr Mr.. Sharon, for his heart is in
Sacramento. not in Washington.
Last wear. when the Blue Lakes contract look
ed very dangerous. tho Sprlng Valley Company
offered 10 sell for Sll .WO.OO. Now. through
skiliul legislation. they expect 10 force the city
10 pay Sl5uouOOO. People are Indignant. and the
press H. loud IN its dcnuneiHtlon oi the job but
neither indignation nor denun iaiion has the
slightest eirect upon the immaculate Irgisa-
ks rfsHg il ia
effective cure for the corruption that rcigns and
rovels in our State Cabltol.