Sacramento daily record-union. [volume] (Sacramento [Calif.]) 1875-1891, 1890-06-13
THE IMPROVEMENT ELECTION.

THE IMPROVEMENT ELECTION.
The legal notice for the improvement
election has been published, and if any
citizen has any doubt at all regarding the
terms of the proposed borrowing from the
future, the official document should be ex-
amined. The bonds to be issued are to be
known as serials, and one-twentieth of
the issue will be paid each year. 1t is
provided that no more bonds shall be is
sued than are required for each years
work, so that we are by no means to incur
an Indebtedness of 100000 at once, and
possibly we may never issue to the full
amount.
The election is to give the city authori-
ties power within the maximum sum to
aid street Improvement to the extent of
one-fourth the COS. of street work. We
look upon the proposition as wise one.
1t is in the line of approved economy and
ought to be adopted. Indeed, we enter
tain no doubt of its acceptance by the
voters. There is 10 money to be taken
out of the city under the scheme, but
whatever we raise is to be expended here,
and in a manner to enhance values, beautify
the city. invite capital to investment and
encourage large private expenditure in
the way of building and of general ground
and architectural Improvement. In Stock
ton, where similar proposition prevailed
this week, the people we're SO pleased with
the result that they celebrated the event
with procession, banners, martial music
and general rejoicing. They know there
what the influence of public-spirited
action is upon a town, and we may well
pattern after them.
Should the proposition by any mishap
be defeated, the physical and moral effect
will be very disastrous to this city, and we
cannot afford to invite disasters to Sacra-
mento in such time as this. 1t is notice
able that already some citizens have begun
to suggest "ifs'' and "buts"-that is to say.
they will vote for the plan 'if" street i'm
provement is done this way or that way
'if' grade is established thus or a drain
way laid in particular way, and so on.
Now, if any such spirit as this is to de-
velop to an extent so great as to endanger
the proposition, we had better withdraw
the scheme and not be made victims of
the shame of defeat.
The proposition is simple one, and
must be voted upon without any reserva-
tions. 1t is not in the power of any one to
attach proyisos to it as to how the grades
shall be established. Trust must be re-
posed in those placed by the people in
authority; majority must rule, and those
in the minority should gracefully yield
their personal views and manfully, and as
high-minded citizens, join the procession
when once the methods of improvement
are decided upon. Let us have no strings
attached to the proposition, but a fair,
square vote whether we will get up out of
the rut of inactivity and sluggishness, or
wallow in the mud for all time to come,
and see capital, manufactures and popula-
tion pass us by in favor of cities like
Stockton, where they venture something
to secure much.
1t would be glorious thing to have the
proposition for improvement carry with
out dissenting vote; it would be such an
exhibition as to attract world attention.
That is, however, too much to hope for,
but we do look forward to much more than
a two-thirds majority. 1t is necessary,
however, to be vigilant. Elections of this
order are carried by affirmative votes only;
by personal exertions on the part of pub
iIc-spirited and far-seeing citizens. They
must, to use vulgarism which is express
siye if not graceful, "get in and work"
Not on the day of election only, but now,
and every day from this date to the hour
of the closing of the polls. This is cry
from the Macedonia of retrogression. 1t is
an appeal for the Capital City, which
needs missionaries among her own. The
voters who are so short-sighted as to oppose
the improvement plan must be reasoned
with. and however set they may be, per-
chance they may yield to the desire OF
their fellow-townsmen because of the per-
sistency of appeal. if for nothing more.