Sacramento daily record-union. [volume] (Sacramento [Calif.]) 1875-1891, 1884-01-21

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is needless to pursue the subject further !;
sufficient has been said to show that our
South American commerce is not what it
should be, and that we have none to blame
but ourselves.
THE FIRE PROTECTION QUESTION.
Our evening contemporary either misun.
derstands US or misrepresents. We are
not willing to believe the latter We are
by no means opposed to the Holly water
works. They are all we have, and supple
manted by the Stevens pump made in Sac
rsmento, and superior to the Holly in
power, they do the work of supplying the
city with water very acceptably. But
what we do cay is that the Holly has never
yet given fire streams adequate to the needs
OF fire service. In one or two instances
creditable streams have been thrown by
the Holly pumps, but never at several diff
ferent points, at the same time, except
the ~ street test, referred to by our
neighboT. That took place on July H. 1873,
and six fine streams were thrown at differ
eEt points on l street, from Second to
Ninth streets, and the test was satisfac.
tory, and at that time this journal so de-
clared. Bat the pressure was through one
straight line OF large new main, directly
up one street from the pumps, and all the
other pipes were shut off, 80 as to conGne
the pressure TO that one line of pipe. But,
as we have already said, let us have test,
II the water works pumps are efficient for
fire service, let Us know it, and reduce the
cost of Fire Department maintenance &C
cordingly. a fair test is the one thing to
be had, and until it IS made, disputation
VII be valueless. To secure perfect fairness
it would be we'll to have disinterested
mechanics and tiremen observe the test.
Thus, such a man as Master Mechanic A.
J. Stevens and one or two other accom-
plished mechanioians should be solicited to
act as a committee in the boiler and engine
rooms during the test, in order to give a
reliable report of the conditions there, and
the operation of the works, steam pres.
sure, etc, Again, old trsmen not nov OF
the department might well be asked to act
as committeeman to see that the hose is
properly laid, the streams not impeded,
and to make measurements, and report as
to the force and quality of the streams.
So, too, committee of the Board OF IN
deEwriters should be asked to witness the
trial. The Trustees and Fire Commission
ers should have official direction OF the ex.
pertinent, and we would suggest Tat they
insist upon the test being made under or
binary conditions. That is, the works
should be called into service with ordinary
steam pressure on, and precisely as if I'M
expectedly ordered to give fire pressure.
The time should be accurately noted be.
tween alarm and stream, and the time that
elapses before full or sufficient pressure is
had, and the points for simultaneous
streams should be on differing MAINS and
quite distant from each other. There
should be perfect fairnrss throughout no
undue demands made, and no advantages
sought or given. 1t is not a question OF
the desires of fremen, or of advocates for
the reduction of the force but of fact,
safety to property and economy of admin
istration.
AS We ARE ESTIMATED AT THE EAST.
California is beginning to realize now
how small a factor she is in the schemes
and politics of the nation. The Mexican
reciprocity treaty, which would have put
many dollars in her purse, stimulated her
trade healthily, and have given Der a
market for very much of her produce and
manufactures, has been rejected. 1t ID
possible that the same influences will
secure the abrogation of the treaty with
the Kingdom of Hawaii This will also be
a severe blow to this State, and deprive ii
of between ten and eleven million dollars
worth Of business annually. The truth is,
we are an exceedingly small part of thi;
great Union. We have little political in
luence among parties, and outside
of grain circles comparatively none
among business men. IL is, perhaps
well that we should fully awaken to this
fact, and be more polite and less boastfu
and arbitrary hereafter. We can demand
nothing. The interests at the East are 81
vast that we must ask and be content, fo
awhile, to get the best we can. We havt
never yet driven our brethren to grant u
any thing. Even the restriction bill wa
The result of polite action and discree
Discrimination Of truth, after Kearneyism
threats and rawlings had fallen upon dea
ears. Let US not estimate ourselves to,
loftily, but come Immediately 20 a recogni
ton of the fact that We are less than on
million of people. with interests for tn
most part concerning which the 80, 600, 90,
at the East do not hestir Themselves will
the enthusiasm that to US the facts seem t
justify. We are in a situation that be
hooves as to be as wise as serpents, an,
accomplish by discretion and shrewdnes
that which we have not the strength t
seize upon.
IT is not too soon 20 begin the preparation 10
Republican organization in this county. VIVA
should be done here is to give free field to Rcpul
leans 20 form the ranks as they please Cut an
dried plans are not calculated to help the party
ne voters Of the party wish only fair play, snd the
VIII make rally that will surprise the political ont
my; very much more SO than at any time in tn
post. All the signs propitious for Republlca
victory.
EVEN if we nave a dry winter the damage to III
state cannot be so great as in former years becaus
our Agriculture is now 50 widely distributed tia
there be total failure of crops and earth pro
ducts. our dry seasons are less frequent less dan
aging and in every way less embarrassing than tn
obstacles agriculture encounters at the East
! II is pretty well demonstrated now that the al