The record-union., 1891-03-15
AN INTERESTING LOCAL QUES-
TION.

TION.
A distinguished sanitarian-Dr. Bill
ings, of the United States army-recently
said that it is usually difficult to con-
vince the rushing business man that any
thing is wrong with his system, as long
as he is able to keep up steam and the
machinery OF rush" going. That what is
plainly evident to the eye of the physi-
clan these tireless workers refuse to
confess in time to save them from col
lapse. But, he added, difficult as is
such task, it is light compared to the
endeavor to convince American munich
palities that their sanitary systems are
faulty, and that the need is to treat them
early, that the seeds of i'll may not be
sown beyond possibility of eradication.
This is certainly true. AS a rule, Amer
lean cities take the ''luck" of the present
and trust to the hour of danger in which
to resist assault. But the wise policy is
to continue in cities at all times the work
of sanitation. 1t should not be necessary
to pass through periods of fear when
pests invade the land and fatal epidemics
threaten communities. The time to con-
slider sanitary necessities is the time when
there is least apparent need for such con-
sideration. 1t may then be entered upon
with deliberation and free from the alarm
that the approach of pestilence kindles
into panic.
Some time ago the REcoRD-UNIoN sug-
gested that Sacramento then enter upon
the deliberate contemplation of its drain
age needs; that postponement is un-
economic, and that every month of delay
increases the cost that will attend the
adoption of any system and augments
should there come period of pestilence.
Our proposition then was, that the Trus-
tees invite fifteen citizens to act without
cost to the city, as board of information;
that such board should at its leisure
gather all possible information concern
ing all manner of systems adapted to
cities of this character to secure good
drainage and economic disposition OF
sewage and garbage. In years time
such body Of citizens would be able to
present the very best plan adapted to
communities of this size, and to cities
located as is this. 1t could present to the
people accurate estimates Of the cost of q
good drainage system, and probably sug-
gest ways and means for its application.
This plan is still, to our mind, the best
that can be adopted to prepare the way
for ultimate reform of our drainage sys-
tenn. We cannot go on forever with the
cesspool method, and continue to poison
the soil by retention of the sewage of the
place. Probably by the time such board
will be ready to report the city will be in
condition financially to consider
seriously the adoption of a proper system
Heretofore we have contented ourselves
with local debate upon the subject, and
this has generally eliminated in local
wrangle. Ordinary local discussion in
wolves the projection of host of impossi-
BILE plans, and the cranky ideas of people
who have not made the study of sanitary
Acience matter of much consideration
and who have not adequate information
of the experience of other communities
We recall one instance in which scheme
for the proper drainage of Sacramento
was debated through the columns of the
local press and in public meetings 70,
weeks, which as it turned out had beer
tried elsewhere and repeatedly, ano
proved to be uneconomic and ineffective
Had the knowledge of that experience
been disseminated here, an entire season
of useless debate, terminating in re
lapse into Indifference, would have beer
avoided.
The Museum Association of this eft,
has offered two considerable sums @
money for the submission of plans fo
the drainage of the city, and the conten
ton for the purses Is open to all through
out the United States. That is action i,
the right direction; it ought to suggest t,
the city, however, that there should be
body of citizens who, for the love of thei
homes, will engage to open correspond
ence with other cites, throughout tn
world if need be, to ascertain their expe
rience in such matters, and to examine a
leisure ell that has been written upon tn
subject, and all experiments that hav
been made with success, and the cost @
all the various systems in our own coun
try and abroad. Fortunately the litera
ture Of the subject is free and plentiful
and no greater task will devolye upol