Sacramento daily record-union. [volume] (Sacramento [Calif.]) 1875-1891, 1884-02-25
PRESS ExpkEss1oSs.

Speaking of the proposed expenditure of
$40, 900 on the levee defenses of the CITY,
the Leader says: Our evening contempt
rary, in its customary errr..ic way, Jumps
the issue at one moment, and in the next
hobs back on the track again, 1t started
to dispute the figures of the public en-
gineers on the hight of the levees, but
when MIR. Bass 1T offered to pay the ex-
penses OF resurvey if be is not correct,
the Bee se4uirms and, Tapping its wings,
says, With a doubtful insinuation, that it
Wi admit all the engineers claim. Al
though it was quite important few days
ago, yet, when Mr.. Bassett offers to back
his measurements, it becomes suddenly I'M
N aterial whether he is right or wrong,
We are entirely unable to comprehend the
logic which maintains that it makes no diff
| ference what the hight of the levees is or
may be. In the not improbable event OF
great food the difference would very clearly
appear. But our contemporary retreats
| into snug corner and declares that the
only question is: ais $4,000 needed to
give the city full protection ?" To deter.
mine this and kindred questions the people
have elected City and County Surveyors,
| fitted by special knowledge for just such
| problems. We believe that it is with the
suggestion and advice Of these gentlemen
| that the Citizens Committee ask for the
expenditure of $4,000 on the levees.
We have confidence in these officials,
both in their capacity of citizens, en-
gineers and public officers. We are sure
they are not trying to force an unnecessary
burden upon the taxpayers. When they
state that $40, 600 is necessary to fully ard
amply protect the city from floods, we be.
lieve that their recommendation is based
upon careful and intelligent investigation.
If they are not the persons to whom we
are to look for advice in this matter, then,
pray, to whom shall we go! A flood would
cost the people a hundred times the pro-
posed expenditure. To averA,so great a
contingent calamity is surely the part of
wisdom. We have heard it everywhere
from Los Angeles to Chico that Sacramento
is in danger from floods. If S4O, 600 IS
going to remove these outside impressions
who will say that the money will not have
been well expended? Like the man with
the "faik," it's outside capital we want.
With the feeling of our perfect security,
property values will 60 TO figure never
known before, and commensurate with our
Importance as city and its desirableness
as place to live and locate. This increase
in values would compensate hundred fold
for the tax necessary to bring 1t about.
There are many other and obvious con-
siderations tending to the great advantage
of the city which grow directly out of the
fullest security of our levees. We need
not mention them here, since they are so
obvious as to commend themselves. We
hope that $40, 900 will be expended as pro-
posed. We think it is sound business
proposition to vote in favor of the tax. OF
course it is, then, good public policy.
The Sunday Capital says upon the same
subject Quite an excitement has been
stirred up of late on the proposition to vote
S40,0 900 for the better protection Of our
levee system, and, az usual, there is some
persons who are Clicking" against it. We
should not mind these people, for they
would not be satisfied unless they could
oppose some good cause. Well, no matter
what they say the people" want the
levees repaired, and they might as well
keep quiet, for they are only wasting their
breath on the desert air, as the ballot-box
will decide. When the ballots have been
counted, and the result announced-levees,
by all means, and $4,000 worth, too-it
is no doubt these "kiekers" will feel ike
crawling in hole and pulling the hole in
after them.