Sacramento daily record-union. [volume] (Sacramento [Calif.]) 1875-1891, 1889-12-24
THE CTTY'S LFFAIRS.
LONG and TEDIOUS SESSION OF THE
BOARD OF TRUSTEES.
The Wharf Franchise Granted, with
Modified Provisions-city Lighting
Prison Supplies.

anu W OH.
The Chief Engineer of the Water Work,
reported that during the week IS, ia ,25C
gallons of water were pumped, the Holly
pump running 168 hours.
A bid for lighting the city was received
from The proposed new electric light com
pany, composed of L. L. Baker, ]. D. Red
ding, H G. Smith, R. NJ Hamilton and G
F. Fargo. The proposition was to furnish
for two years 125 or more arc lights al
S14 50 esch per month; the lights to be o.
1000 candle-power, and to burn for 10 con-
secutive hours, the hight OF each lamp to
be 30 feet from the ground. The proposal
guaranteed that the lights should burn
from one hour after sunset TO within one
hour OF sunrise, and within four nights be.
fore and after the full moon.
A proposition was also received from the
Capital Gas Company to furnish 70 lights at
the rate of ST. 80 per light per mouth
also 200 or more gas lights at 81 each per
month.
Trustee Mclaughlin moved that the bids
be taken under advisement until Monday
next, when the contract shall be awarded.
Mayor Gregory thought it unnecessary to
put the matter of for so long time.
Trustee Wolf suggested that the matter
be disposed of on Thursday next.
Trustee Mclaughlin insisted on Monday,
and it was so ordered.
City Attorney Church reported an ordi-
nance granting franchise to The proposed
new electric light company, which was read
the first time and laid over one week.
Mayor Gregory reported that the bid OF
the Bee for city advertising was the lowest,
and the contract was awarded accordingly.
City Attorney Church appeared before
the Board and stated that an ordinance
could no! be passed that would be efiectual
in causing the filling Of low lots ell over
the city. 1t could only be done under a
new charter.
THE WHARF FRANCHISE.
Captain J. D. Roberts, of the Sacramento
Transportation Company, appeared before
the Board and presented a communication
signed by the Huntington-Hopkips Com
pany, Whittier, Fuller IL Co., Richards q
Knox, Booth & Co.. Jones & Owens, and
A q A. Hebron, asking to withdraw their
protest against the granting of the proposed
wharf franchise to the Transportation
Company, on certain conditions.
Captain Roberts stated that the slips
would be kept open for the use of the pub
lie, but the coal-bunkers would of course be
permanent. There would be no difficulty
in other shippers using the slips, as at
present.
Mr.. Holt, manager for the Friend & Terry
Lumber Company, made long and earn
est argument in opposition TO the granting
of the franchise He said it was asked for
q term OF fifteen years, but who would at
- FLo - 80 ~
that length of timer Who could have
foreseen the future of Seattle, Tacoma or
San Francisco fifteen years ago? Sacra-
mento is the center of a great territory. II
was a growing place, and her people would
need more river room. He denied that the
opposition was prompted by personal mo-
tives. The effect of the franchise would be
to place the handling of coal in the hands
of one firm, cutting off competition, which
was the life of trade, and by which only a
community could prosper. II was COM
bination to raise the price of coal, and
would give an advance of fifty cents a ton
to the company holding the franchise. The
city now has but 500 feet of public water
front Should Sacramento have 60,000
population in the near future, the mer-
chants would have no shipping facilities.
The transportation company would lind
1t convenient to moor their barge 10 the
wharf and thus shut other shippers out.
The free use Of the SLIPS would be all
right, but il barge was moored in front
OF them for days at q time the slips would
be of no use to the public. If . franchise
were granted it should provide that on due
notice the company should clear the slips
so many hours. Each month 3 000,0
feet of lumber was handled on the river
front and any .esseniDg OF the facilities
would be an iDjnry to the city. Lumber
had to pey taxes here, either in the shape
of lumber or put up in houses. The coal
that it is proposed to handle paid its taxes
in Tacoma, and would bring no revenue to
the city. The controlling interest in the
transportation company is held by Ore
gonians, who do not live nor pay taxes
in Sacramento. If natural gPs should be
found here there would be a building
boom, and more lumber would be needed
In conclusion, Mr.. Holt said tina: the
Friend & Terry Company would agree to
build such wharf as IS asked for and pay
the city $50 a month for the use of it, and
he would guarantee to find a coal company
that would come here and open competi-
ton if given the same franchise. But if
the Board should see fit 10 grant the petit
ton before it, il should see that the public
have the right to use the space behind the
coal. buukers at all times, and that the
term OF the lease be reduced. He hoped
the Board would take further time how
ever. 10 consider the matter.
J. NJ. Avery spoke in a similar strain,
and was followed by Captain Roberts in
reply.
Then Wilbur F. George made an Argyll
ment for the petition, and further remarks
were made pro and con by others present.
The ordinance was then read the second
time.
Mayor Gregory said that, while he was
in favor Of anything that would advance
the interests Of the public and the city, ne
could not favor the granting of the fran
chise asked unless it was so modified as 70
preserve the rights of the public. If the
Transportation Company would consent to
have the proposed franchise so altered that
other shippers shalt not be kept from the
use of the wharf for unreasonable periods,
and permit the HarbOrmaster TO have full
control Of the wharf at all times and il
the term Of the lease was reduced, he might
vote to grant it, His desire was to fully
protect the rights and conveniences of the
people, aad this being assured, there might
be no serious objection to granting the
franchise.
Stevens thought the company, if granted
the franchise, s0Oulu De required 10 pay
say $50 per month for the use of the wharf
Captain Roberts said his company woult
consent 70 q reduction in the term OF the
lease, SIS asked, and was willing that the
city should have control of the wharf.
Trustee Mclaughlin moved that the
ordinance be passed providing that tht
term of the lease be reduced from fifteen tC
seven years.
Mayor Gregory moved that The franchise
be amended so as to provide that one-hal
the wharf and one slip shall be kept oper
to the public use al ali times and under the
jurisdiction of the City Board OF Trustees
Also. that any failure on the part OF The
company to carry out the provisions Of the
ordinance shall work forfeiture of thC
franchise TO the city.
Captain Roberts said the conditions were
satisfactory. Ali his company wanted was
a fair opportunity TO do business.
Trustee Wolf then moved that the ordl
nance be passed as amended, and 1t was 81
ordered BY unanimous vote.
Recess till o'clockP. NJ.
On reassembling Trustee Wolf reportel
that the Stevens pump at the Wster WORK
was in iced of repairs, which would neces
state its withdrawal from service Tor aoou
four weeks. He wished to know II I'M
Board would take the responsibility OF hay
ing the pump closed down for that time
and rely upon the Holly pump. He dix
not think the latter could carry over fortl