Sacramento daily record-union. [volume] (Sacramento [Calif.]) 1875-1891, 1889-12-20

grounds, whether erased, grayelled, or
laid oUt as garden; the payment of the
wages of custodian. Without giving the
figure as accurate, it may be assumed as
the basis for argument that $4,000, at If.
terest at per cent, will produce sufficient
to pay the annual expense of caring prop
erly for the grounds and whatever build
ings may be placed upon the site.
The restoration, and concerning which
there must be deliberatlon and careful
estimates, that the generous donors of the
funds for the purpose may be called upon
for no more than is requisite, may be
assumed to include the replacing of the
adobe walls, and properly built and pro-
tected they will stand for century, and
longer still if into the adobe there is car
ried a proportion of cement. 1t will in
clude the repair of the solitary remaining
building and its restoration as nearly as
may be to its original condition. 1t should
then be completely inclosed and covered
by structure of stone foundation and of
iron and glass upper works, and which
should be large enough to serve for the
reception and proper placing of contribu-
tions of interest related to the pioneer era
and the early history of this State and
coast.
al HILL would n ,,o.r
short time become a museum OF history
within it would be gathered profoundly
interesting collection that would augment
in value as the past farther recedes, and
that would draw people constantly to see
it. The Memorial Hall should bear upon
its walls the names of the donors of the
purchase and restoration fund, and Of those
also who provide the maintenance fund.
Without that historic record the structure
would be incomplete.
The cost of thus restoring the walls
leaving the grade of the grounds as it is,
and which is very much as when occupied
by the fort-and of erecting the memorial
hall for the preservation by Enclosure, OF
the old building still standing, and the
reception and storing of gifts of historic
interest, it is unnecessary to consider, as it
must remain with the subscribers to the
purchase and restoration fund to determine
what sum shall be expended in those di-
rections. But, roughly, it may be assumed
that the sum will considerably more than
duplicate the figure of the cost of the
ground. These statements and specula-
tions are purely suggestive, and are in
tended to invite debate and thought; hence
reservation is made for their modifca-
ton as light is shed upon the subject after
measurements are taken and estimates
made by experts.
But, as we have said, however the work
of restoration is carried on, it is es-
sential that fund be created, the invest
ment of which will guarantee main
tenance. 1t is therefore necessary that the
subscription list now opened shall in
clude the creation of a permanent fund
to be used for the protection of the relic
remaining upon the property, and to secure
yearly income for the perpetual care of
the site and its continued adaptation to
public use. This is a matter in which all
the people of the State are equally con-
cerned, and it is therefore hoped that the
praiseworthy efforts on foot to raise the
money will be continued with renewed
energy; that, when the Fort is restored,
it may be assured of the requisite care for
its preservation.