Sacramento daily record-union. [volume] (Sacramento [Calif.]) 1875-1891, 1890-03-22
STREET IMPROVEMENTS.
CITIZEN JOHN EITEL DOESN'T LIKE
THE PRESENT METHOD.
He Wants Good Streets and Honest
Work, and is Generally Opposed
to Silurianism.

EDS. RECORD UNION: 1t is open to doubt
that all the property. owners on L street,
from Fifteenth to Twenty. eighth, are op-
posed to the contemplated Improvements
to be carried out by the city authorities
The undersigned was importuned last
week by several owners, as well as the man
who solicited subscriptions against the i'm
provements, TO sign the document handed
in as remembrance. The writer owns
lot l, at Nineteenth and L streets, opposite
the engine. house, and knew something
about the street. Only last week there
might have been witnessed, not fifty feet
from this engine house, in front of the
orphan asylum, two Cinnamon, with shov-
els, digging out their wagon, the horses be-
ing unable to pull the vehicle out of the
hole of sticky mud. If light wagon can
be stalled it is possible to cause the same
10 heavy ire engine, possibly on its way
TO a big contiagration and what then?
The information given was this: That
al property. holders on L street were op.
posed to the improvement, and that Judge
Beatty would bring the matter before the
Trustees, and that Judge Beatty of San
Francisco would come up also and speak
against the matter. When asked whether
the people who put up large houses below
the orphan asylum had signed the paper
be answered that those fellows are green
horns, knowing very little about Sacra-
mento as yet
But, if all property holders are opposed
to SUCH Improvements, how is the city TO
advance generally ?n
ht1b y ba u-o,,IE r,o4
more rent for your houses, no matter how
the street is improved"
This may be true, but yet can we keep
step with the world when we vote down
improvements which every well-regulated
city most carry ont? On the contrary, We
must take back seat in this progressive
age.
The undersigned had advocated good
streets, and, unlike some people who are
loud enough when other peoples pockets
are to be tapped, but when their own prop.
erty is taken in find various excuses
against 1t, he does not wish to stand on
record; providing, of course, surety is
given that systematic and honest work
Will be carried out, and in such a way that
the contractor does not grow rich ont of it
by one swoOp along the line of trumped-
up progress.
1t must be plain enough that in our
street improvements, as well as other
necessary matters, We must dive down into
our own pockets and pay for it, for it is
hardly possible that outside capital is so
far infatuated that it will take up our
street Improvements or other most neces-
sary progress and work standing as safe.
guards for the city.
1t must be done-you cannot pass it
aside, although postponed from day to day.
It appears that complaints can be
brought forward which cannot stand as
credit TO our city authorities, and this is
but one case. For instance the owner of
lot, one opposite the engine house, was or
dered with Others about ten years ago on
the south side of the block, to lay down a
sidewalk, and during all these years the
north side of the block, owned by one per-
son, was left unpaved Last winter the
matter was taken up again, and the owner,
By the city authorities, was given still fur.
ther time, for now it signifed a stone side
walk and larger expenses.
The writer finds no fault with an ener-
getic citizen who has helped to build the
city. yet 1t appears that some difference is
made between the owner of one lot and
the speculative owner of whole block.
Remember in this free country we expect,
above all, like treatment, but is this serv-
ing small fellow one way, and the big
Fellow lar more Ienient way, the right
way to mete out justice in street improve
ments
If this city desires to advance, the author
critics must assure honest, systematic and
good work, carried out at the most reason
able rates, and at the same time carry
little load OF the expense; for, if any such
public street is properly improved, every
merchant and others doing business is
probably more benefited than the prop
erty owner where the Improvement is
made. Why, then, should not some of
the load, as general tax, be placed upon
their shoulders?
There appears to be considerable differ
ence how real estate is owned-whether it
is a home, as safe investment for the fu-
ture, or for speculative purposes. The
latter class rely almost entirely upon the
first two in the advancement, and as gen.
orally they hold large portions they are
opposed to any outlay of money excepting
that has TO be paid for taxes. If property
rises they are on the safe side, but the ad-
vance in price and the Improvements are
seldom caused by such men.
II is hoped the new company organized
will solve the street problem in Sacramento
soon. JOHN ETHEL.