Sacramento daily record-union. [volume] (Sacramento [Calif.]) 1875-1891, 1884-02-11
The TWO LOCAL TOPICS OF CHIEF I'M.
PoRTANCE.

There should be no confusion concerning
the proposition of a private association of
citizens to ask the people to vote $4,000
Of extra expenditure upon the levees this
year. It is not yet officially before the
people, but, waving that demurrer, the rea-
sons for the appropriation may be ample
they may be insufficient they may be forti-
fed by engineering and levee. building expert
testimony. Whatever it is that moves the
association to make the proposition it does
not make public, and consequently, no de-
cisive judgment can be formed. To jump
at conclusions and declare tho proposition
silly, is as foolish as to indorse it ff-hsnd,
without knowing why it is advanced.
But we can easily conceive of reasons that
may actuate the association, which it would
not be wise to discuss through the pu bic
press, until after official and expert exam
nation at least, and due deliberation.
For instance, it is notorious that people
abroad whom we would invite here for
settlement and investment of capital, are
deferred by the advice of the timorous
outside public and some of the timor-
GUS of our own people. Now this timidity
We believe to be without sufficient cause.
But our consistency shall be of the right
kind in this matter, as in ell others, the
expressing OF conviction at the time, re-
gardless of preceding conviction, or, as the
ArgoRam quotes Emerson, 1.-the speaking
now what one thinks in hard words, and
tomorrow speaking what tomorrow
thinks in hard words again, though it
cOntrsdicts everything said to-day"
But though the timidity referred to is
without sufficient cause, it is the hight of
folly to ignore it. 1t has too long been a
drag to the wheels of Sacramento's prog
ress. 1t is full time to lay the ghost,
but if it proves to be no ghost, then to de-
ssroy the groundwork of such reality as
may lie at its base 1t will not do to
pursue the ostrich-like policy of hiding
our head in The sand under the belief that
our body is thereby protected. 1t will
not avail to merely sneer at the fears
we believe to be unworthy or scott at the
people who need backbone. Confidence is
the best of capital, but loud-mouthed boast.
ing through the press will not giveit. The
commercial world does not build upon that
kind of barometrical indicators.
Let US be honest with ourselves and re.
coguize these facts. Here at home we are
perfectly confident in the security and
permanence of our city. We know it to
be a hundred fold less exposed and more
than seven.tenths of the cities upon the Ohio
or Mississippi. But let us be frank enough
to admit the truth that others upon whose
estimate the prosperity and growth of our
city IN measure depends are not so
convinced, for no city ever yet existed
where the people lived upon each other
We cannOs build city by swapping jack.
knives with one another. If $4,000. or
$4,000, or $50, 600 would remove the vain
fears OF these other communities it would
be g cheap bargain, and the increased In.
vessments made here would speedily con.
vince the skepticsl of the wisdom of the
policy. If there is any doubt upon this
subject whatever let the doubter consult
with any reputable banker and ask him
what is the tone of his correspondence; or
any reputable merchant and ask whether |
his credits have more than once been made |
contingent upon the placing of his goods
upon the upper grade This is a very dis.
agreeable thing to speak of, but since rash
and bombastic assertions have been made,
the truth must needs be at least limited
Probably the people who have been so
hasty in rushing to judgment on this mat
ter may, by reelection, discover some rea-
son for pausing before jumping to oonclu-
sions on the subject. We are neither so
wise, so skillful in levee building, nor so
versed in engineering science as 70 unhesi-
tatingly condemn proposition advanced
by a reputable committee of interested
men tina. declines for the present to ex.