Sacramento daily record-union. [volume] (Sacramento [Calif.]) 1875-1891, 1888-02-23
THEY DEMAND THEIR RIGHTS
FROM THE CITY TRUSTEES.
Indulge in a Little Plain Talk
"A Mandamus Suit.

of property in that vicinity had already
been favorably considered. They were
fully sware OF the fact that
THEr PORTION OF THE CITY
Had been importing and was growing
quite rapidly. and that the residents were
entitled to better protection. The Commits
Sioners recognized the fact that the com
Taittee of gentlemen that appeared before
them were entitled to as much considera-
uon, and their property 10 as much protec-
ton, as was any other portion of Sacra-
mento, and said to them at the time that by
the first Of February they expected to be
able to place an engine in service ct the
place referred to- The Commissioners
were sincere in their premise, which is
shown by the fact that they had taken
steps to fulfill the same by purchasing
span OF horses 10 be used on that engine.
On inspecting the present hose-house for
the purposes mentioned it was ascertained
that its capacity was not sufficient for the
housing of
AN ENGINE ANB HOSE CART.
And for that reason an addition of fifteen
feet at least would be necessary. We for
that purpose, engaged the services of an
architect, who drew Us up plans and speci-
:lcatlonS for the proposed addition, which
we were about to solicit bids upon, and the
NOIh "Ouiu nave ptOCt6USC 1UIQeQlateiV
had we not run upon suag. The ground
upon which the building stands does not
belong to the city, it being the property of
K. S. Carey. We were told that Mr.. Carey
had publicly stated that under no consider
alton would he sell a part or parcel of that
block. Here was city property on a lot
which was private property Not wishing
to place public property on private lands
we commenced an investigation. When
Mr.. Carey was called upon, he said that he
NEVER HAD AGREED TO SELL
The property after term of five wears.
The only promise made by him, he said,
was that after a term of five years he
would leave the matter to the apprasement
of two competent real estate agents. who
| would then appraise the same, not for the
| purpose of selling it, but to determine
what would be about right for the rent of
| the same. Not knowing of the existence
OF any such contract or agreement and
not desiring to put an expense of $500 or
$500 on a lot, which perhaps would have
| to be removed at no distant date, before
proceeding any farther with the contem-
plated improvement We endeavored to get
some more definite information regarding
| the agreement between Mr. Carey and the
city. We went to the City Auditor and
| asked him
FOR IMPORTATION UPON THAT POINT.
Our effort TO find any written agreement
or even a verbal understanding from the
city authorities was fFuitless. We then
hunted up Mr.. Carey, who is a liberal
spirited citizen. He gave US such positive
| and liberal terms regarding the use of the
ground after the expiration of term of
years that we at once decided 10 ask for
bids, and proceed with the work of enlare-
ing the building without delay, and the
house will be enlarged to accommodate
both the engine and hose cart As soon as
this work has been completed the engine
| will be placed in service, and our pledge to
| the citizens of that portion of the city re-
deemed.
NECESSITY FOR A RELIEF ENGINE
1t seems, from the conversation had be-
| fore the honorable Board OF CITY Trustees
| on Monday last, that some mistaken ideas
were entertained by some of our citizens
regarding the necessity for relief engine.
Right here we will state that Sacramento
City has been supplied with relief engine
from time extending almost back to the
establishment of the Paid Fire Department.
This engine, as lis name indicates is to
| take the place of any that may become dis
abled or any way impaired. To prove that
we cannot afford to be, and ought not to be.
without a relief engine, it is only necessary
TO state that the relief engine belonging to
this department within the past few months
was in active service some six weeks. Had
1t not been for the relief engine Sacra-
mento's fire department would have been
robbed for month and half of
ONE HALF OF ITS EFFICIENCY.
One of the engines, from long use. had
become so impaired that it was unfit for
service. Some of the material necessary in
| making the repairs had to be obtained in
the East; it got lost in the freight blockade
east of the Rockies and the machine was
worthless for several weeks II matters
but little where relief engine is located.
for 1t Is not intended for service, but merely
to take the place of disabled ore, and can
be used for no other purpose. We think it
would be poor policy. indeed. when we
have three engines, to dispose of the relief.
Under any and all circumstances it would
be- short-sighted policy not to purchase
one for relief purposes. Not to provide
against the disability of the engines would
be poor business tact. There is no doubt
but that when three engines ere in active
service there will be need for the relief
tngine say six months in the year.
THE TAX LEVY.
Regarding the estimate of the expenses
OF the Fire Department fer the coming
year, and which was transmitted to the
honorable Board of Trustees in accordance
with existing laws, we have the following
to say:
We made the said estimate as low and
as consistent as the efficiency of the Fire
Department will permit. In making our
estimate we included the expense of put
ting this third engine into service, which
entails salaries for extra men, feed for extra
horses, repairs, etc, also the cost of a new
engine to take the place of the reserve. es-
tlmating the same at 5000; also for the
IMPROVEMENT OF THE FIRE ALARM
System, and extending the same beyond
Twentieth street, its present limit, into the
eastern and southeastern suburbs. Those
three items involve an outlay of nearly
$4,000. However, we did not ask SO much
We asked only for an increase over last
year which would aggregate $1,000 Last
year the support received from the city was
about $50 600, and we asked this year
levy which would bring Us in about S34,-
600. To our utter establishment we found
after the honorable Board of Trustees had
made the tax levy, that the Fire Depart
ment instead of being increased in amount
was decreased three cents below last years
levy, amounting 10 a reduction of about
$500, or say seven cents less than was
asked by the Board of Fire Commissioners.
instead of getting %, the actual amount
necessary, we are given %, or s., 500 less
than was allowed last season.
The reason of this discriminating action
against the Fire Department we cannot
understand, unless it is intended, as many
think, as cinch game. We certainly con-
slider the Fire Department as important to
Sacramento as the police or any other de-
partment of the municipal government.
We expected to receive at the hands of the
honorable Board of Trustees the same con-
sideration accorded to others, and in this
We were sadly disappointed. We were
mistaken in our men; we we're not aware
of the motives that actuate them to the
performance of certain political duties
We wall state now. and it csunot be denied
by any business man who will take mo-
ment's time te investigate, that the levy
made by the honorable Board of Trustees
viii not maintain the Fire Department in
actual service for enc year. The act of the
Trustees Is nothing more than roaring
farce. and. so far as we are concerned, we
do not intend TO let the city suffer on ac-
count Of any dereliclion of duty on the
part of the honorable Board of Trustees
We do not eorcsie TO the honorable Board