The record-union. [volume] (Sacramento, Calif.) 1891-1903, 1891-05-22
TWO IMPERATIVELY PRESSING To-
CAL MATTERS.

TWO IMPERAI1NELHP PRESSING IO-
CAL MATTERS.
A year ago last winter, when the river
level with the railroad track on Front
street, it was thoroughly well understood
that the Trustees would, before another
season, raise the grade of the levee top
along that line. The past winter came
on and the water again reached the track
level, nothing having been done to ele-
waite the grade.
But the Trustees did better, perhaps;
they had fine piece of work done on the
front levee below r street, at a point
where the current impinged upon the
embankment and dangerously cut it. To
prevent further action of that kind, the
face of the levee for long distance was
riprapped with granite. 1t has been well
done, and forms to-day an impregnable
barrier. The authorities are entitled to
full credit for this accomplishment, and
it excuses them, when the expense is
considered, from not having ordered the
raising of the top of the Front-street
levee.
But now that portion of the facing
below r street is completed, and that it
has been so excellently done, attention
must be given to the original proposition.
The earth, gravel and whatever other
material is to be used to raise the en-
bankment on Front and on streets
must be put in place very early, that it
may pack and harden to cement-like
frmness long before another rainy season
sets in. 1t is understood that the city will
have the cooperation of the railroad
company in this work, since its tracks
follow the line of the top of the Front
street levee, and its buildings stand upon
the embankment.
By the time the essential arrange
ments can be made the Health Depart
ment will be through with the changing.
and the city can utilize the labor of that
body upon the levee raising. If action is
taken at this time it will be the middle of
June before the work can be entered
upon, and the first of August before it
will be completed. There will then re-
main bat four months for the new ma
terial to pack and be capable of resisting
another current wash. This upper tier
should be faced with broken granite, and
more work should be done like that al
ready referred to. The clay, earth and
gravel required ought to be hauled and
placed within the next month and half.
While danger from incoming high
water is not apprehended by any one
who is informed of the facts, the moral
effect of the water running upon the top
of the Front street levees is pretty nearly
as bad as if the flood were in the city
For two winters at food season the loco
motives on the Front street line have
plowed through the water, drawing
trains loaded with passengers whose
judgment of the city can be fancied
Such state of affairs must not be per-
.
At whatever sacrifice, two things must
be attended TO now: lst, the raising of the
levee along Front street; I'd, the adoption
of method for better disposal of the city
drainage. The two subjects cannot be
evaded; they are closely related, and are
properly to be considered together but
pre-eminent is the need to repair the
levee. In the meantime, and while that
work is progressing, there is no reason
why the city authorities should not con-
slider the drainage question. 1t will cost
the city nothing to examine into drainage
systems; it viii not increase taxation a
solitary farthing to study and debate the
question, invite suggestions, and exam
inc the figures of systems in other places
situated similarly to this.
If the Trustees know of no reason why
these matters should not be considered,
let them at once win public regard, and
discharge imperative duty, by ordering
LIST, that steps be taken at once concerning
the improvement of the front levee; I'd,
that correspondence be at once opened
and invited upon systems of drainage APP
plicable to Sacramento, with a view of
ascertaining the cost, merits and defects
of the several artificial systems in opera
ton in other cities.