Sacramento daily record-union. [volume] (Sacramento [Calif.]) 1875-1891, 1890-02-22

employed in San Francisco would not
be bettered by any such expenditure as the
committee referred to asks shall be
adopted Aside from the illegality of ex-
penditure such as asked for, it is hurtful
! to the cause of labor, and results in addi-
tional burdens TO taxpayers, which in turn
operate to check the output of means in
directions that give steady employment
and encourage manufacturing.
If the people who have paid from 81 to
$40 a ticket for opera nights in the last
two weeks in the metropolis, would expend
one-fourth as much in employment Of
labor in addition to what we may reasona-
bly, assume they now expend, judged by
their ability to purchase opera sittings,
very considerable good would be done. If
those who have coin, instead of boarding
it would set it afoat at thevery time when
it can be made to produce the most be-
cause of the need that presses upon labor,
all real distress would be relieved But if
these cannot be moved to such action, then
there should be asked from those having,
something weekly for the purpose of re-
lieving distress, and we believe that the
wealth and the heart of San Francisco IS
equal to the need. Nay, we are convinced
that if the people were entirely convinced
| that there is such distress as is represented,
they would pour out relief more literally
even than they did for the Johnstown suf-
ferers, or the unfortunate people who were
burned out upon the north.
\ contemporary suggests also that if
those having bills falling due at home
would meet them somewhat in advance
the commercial community of San Fran
cisco could put in circulation a very large
amount of money, and it is this circula-
ton that is needed and that viii start the
wheels of industry anew. There is enough
work to do in San Francisco, and in every
town on the coast, to call into exercise
every willing muscle, but the heightened
storm has checked all building and stayed
nearly all work out of doors, and that has
resulted in stringency in manufacturing
and merchandising also, and hence the
pinch has been felt all around. In such a
state of affairs the suggestion that if every
one in enjoyment of comfortable in
come in San Francisco would give one
days salary for the employment Of work
ers in something that such person can
have done and that viii yield him value
the distress would be relieved, is good
one.
In other words, what is wanted in San
Francisco is not charity, but such circula-
ton of money as viii enable it to put
muscle at work At the same time we are
not convinced that the distress is so great
as the committee assert, since they have
not proved it, and since they have used
their appeal as a vehicle for preaching
against the established order of things in
society and government. 1t was not wise
on the part Of committee of that kind
to enter upon the discussion of economic
propositions and questions concerning the
distribution of products at such time, or
in document asking that money be put
into circulation as charity. Neverthe-
less, in pinching times some one, as we
have said, always boards money, and all
proper influence should be brought to bear
on such people in such eras to induce them
to lend, to expend and to give their money
vitality and capacity to return to them
due reward. If commercial and financial
San Francisco has the spirit to do it they
can set the money ahoat that will meet all
immediate necessities and render it un-
necessary for doubling, and possibly weak,
Supervisors to find excuse to enter upon
disbursement of the public funds for pur-
poses never contemplated by law.