Sacramento daily record-union. [volume] (Sacramento [Calif.]) 1875-1891, 1884-02-27

lowed my personal interests to influence my
honest opinions on such matters.
Yet Mr.. Knox, in a card published last
evening, says he made DO reference to his
firm and to :" its knowledge of levees and
their necessities" He certainly did show that
it does know how to build levees, that it has
had experience in building levees, thst be has
superintendent levee raising that his firm feels
able to do levee work and would bid for it.
More than this, the people know that the
firm has knowledge of levee work, and that
Mr.. Knox has knowledge of it. We certainly
deemed it compliment to the firm to quote
the opinion cf the senior member. that after
all this he favors the special levy. We have
no quarrel with Mr.. Knox, have not and shall
not impugn his motives, but do oppose his
judgment in this matter, because we believe
it, on testimony adduced, to be wrong, and
we shall continue to oppose it so long as it
seems to US to be misjudgment. Mr.. Knox
appears willing enough to give, but not to
take knocks in campaign on local issue
into which he voluntarily enters.
CINCINNATI's EXAMPLE.-Cincinnsti peo-
pie scoffed at the idea that the Ohio could
ever rise higher than 1886 as it did at that
city February Is, 1885, Yet February 49,
1884 1t rose to 71O3. Hear what II. j.
Stanley, Chief Engineer Of Cincinnati, said
in his annual report December 81, 1888 ::
" TIE past year gave us the highest water in
the Ohio river of which we have any record.
The impression had become firmly rooted
in the minds of the people that the foods of
1882 and 1S47 wsnld never even be approx
mated, and the tendency has been to urge
the construction of streets az elevations be-
low the food of 1882, which was l.12 feet
below the high water of 1888 The c0Dse-
quencs is that all the streets and avenues
Except West Eighth street, leading from the
interior of the city to the suburbs, west of
Mill creek, were rendered impossible by the
water. Il may be impracticabls to correct
errors already committed, but they can be
avoided in the future. It is possible that
higher stage Of water may visi. Us in any sea-
son, and while l would not recommend that
grades Of rev streets in the bottoms be fixed
extravagautly high, I do advise that the
grades be kept up to the level prescribed by
general grade resolution, passed March 10,
1854, viz: The high water of 1882, or an eie-
walton of $50 by city datum. While the
food of 1888 caused much distress and dam
age, it will, in my Judgment, result in good,
by removing the established idea that the
high waters of 80 and AZ would never be re-
peated." Was MIR. Stanley q prophet? In
less than two months from the line he wrote
this warning the river stood 7l.04, and the
lower city was submerged and millions Of dol
lars damage done. Sacramento should act in
the light of such examples.
NOTHING FOR FRONT STREET-WHY?-
The objectors to the plans for levee improve
ment, beaten from post to pillar, and driven
out of every cover and retreat, at last turn
and cry Z" But you say Front street is too
low. and yet you don't propose to expend any
money on it this year, Alb, ha how do you
That is true. Like the man with but one
garment, the coat is rot big enough to
hide all our nakedness-thats all there is Of
it. It is the best reason in the world why
we should cover our rear, because we can't
cover both front and rear. You see, Front
street is near at hand, under hourly watch,
and If a food comes to oyertop its six and a
half inch elevation, we can do as we did 10
1SSl-turn out, put on gum boote and sand
bag the food out on a short line such as that is.
But we can't risk that with the north and esst
levees, or on street, or Front, near Y.
The points are distant aud less essily
watched or fortified. Next year Front street
must be attended to-meanwhile we must
WhNCu DuL bllAI Is Alo ACa5oh luz hob
ing up in the distant sections. Yes, it is
true the SOS, coo special tax should be $50.
600, or $50 000 Blu. VIC must do the best we
can now II the people should ask for $780,
COZ now, the ipsans directors might bite their
tongues entirely off with so much gnashing
of teeth as would follow, and that would be
too bad.
A SAN Francisco OPMIOY.-The San
Francisco Daily Alta editorially says
Sacramento is discussing with no lit
tie heat the proposition to spend large
sum of money in improvement of the levees.
aud it must be said that the advocates of the
expenditure so far have the better Of the ar
gument. So long IS it remains uncertain
that the levees are of the requisite hight and
strength, the work of improving them ought
to continue. The fate Of Los Angeles IS the
latest illustration of the folly of taking
chances on floods. One thing is certain it
would be much easier for Sacramento to raise
$40, 900 now for levee improvements than it
would be sitter the city had bsen flooded and
damaged to the amount of q million or two
dollars" The only mistake Of the Alta Is as
to the sum. 0aly SOS. 900 is asked for, as we
have Sl2, 900 in the regular tax levy. But
the Alta is sound in its judgment when it
shows that the very facs of divergence OF
opinion here creates uncertainty, and in
case of doubt the safer side should always be
taken.
Police CoUkT.-In the Police Court yes
terdsy, t. C. Wells, arrested for disturbing
tae peace and battery, pleaded guilty and
will receive sentence to-day. -. The case Of
Charles Dresser, for embezzlement. was con-
tinued until this morning Miss All Mo,
arrested for enticing, forfeited her deposit.
J. Williams entered a plea of guilty on
charge of disturbing the peace, and was fined
SO or ter days Arthur Slack, Joe Hobin,
John Smith, George Hurd and Joseph
O'Neil, arrested for sleeping in railroad cars.
were found guilty and sentenced to pay hne
Of $40 each, or be locked up ten days in the
county Jail The case of Fonssns Louisa.
for disturbing the peHce, was continued until
this morning.
LET No One BE DELUDED.-Let no one
be deluded by the cry that If the s2S,-
900 special tax is levied. that any of it will be
spent on levees to protect lands below Sac
rAmento. Every dollar is, by the proclsma-
nation specifications, announced for expen.
diture upon stated sections Of the levees, and
the only regret is that it il not S3S, 000, in
order that the front-street levee might De at
once sndproperly strengthened. 1t will be seen
that the request for S2S, 900 is small one,
and that the city really needs more. How
ever, let US do what we can now. Front
street is near at hand, and II the exigency
arises private aid must be invoked until the
city can provide the money.
CHAUTAUQUA CIRoLE,-Sacrament Circle,
after the usual order of business Monday
evening, had exercises appropriate to Long.
fellows Memorial Day. as follows: Instru-
mental solo, Miss Waterhouse sketch of
Longfellow's life. Miss Luther. Readings
Jewish Cemetery at Newport Mrs.
Davis: Fire of Driitwood, Miss Melvin,
and Wreck Of the Hesperus,' Miss Coates.
Paper on Evsugeline," Miss McCord; song
" The Day Is Done" Mics Waterhouse.
Our store will remain open Wednesday