The record-union., 1891-05-18
THE SWIMMING BATHS.


comphshment of the enterprise. The
fruition of our hopes is about to be real
lied, and we entertain pardonable de-
gree of pride in consequence, for we are
convinced that the baths are greatly
needed, that they will contribute to raise
the standard of public health, and will
afford the people wholesome, healthful
recreation.
1t is needless to travel over the ground
illustrating the benefcent character of
the baths. The fact is confessed by all
the people. All that remains is to con-
slider the final steps now being taken pre-
liminary to their opening. The gentle
men composing the directory Of the cor
poration we believe are acting with fine
spirit, unselfishness, and with an eye sin
gle to making the baths accessible to the
largest possible number, and to contribute
TO the pleasure and physical comfort of
all the people. They should, therefore,
have the cordial support and hearty en-
couragement of all our citizens.
Of; course, as was anticipated, there was
wide diversity of opinion as to what
would be the best location for the baths.
But now that site has been chosen, there
should be generous, hearty, unanimous
concurrence in what has been done by
the directors.
We believe they have acted wisely, GER
tainly economically. The location chosen
is more central, more easily accessible by
the mass of the people, than is true
with the swimming baths of San Fran
cisco, Oakland or Chicago. The distance
from the very center of population does
not exceed two blocks. The site chosen
also gives both car lines carriage of the
people, and thus avoids all possible an
tagonism. But above all, it conserves
economy of expenditure, enabling the in
stitution to be conducted upon the plan
everyone favors that is, so as to open its
benefits to the people at the smallest pos
sible individual cost. There are a few
citizens who have been heard to say that
the site is i'll chosen; that would be said
no matter what location might have been
agreed upon; it is still said of the post
office, of the Pavilion, and of every other
public institution we have. But we are
confident that year hence there will not
be so much as a single voice of this char
acter in the matter of the swimming
bathfsite.
What is now needed is that the people
shall come forward and subscribe to the
stock Of the association. 1t is perfectly
safe investment; there is involved in it
philanthropy and public spirit; it means
progression, and nearer approach to the
plane of metropolis. 1t means enhance
ments of sanitary benefits, greater con-
tent with Sacramento and less reason for
going abroad for indulgence in natural,
rational, health-giving, bodily develop
ing exercise.
The sum of money the association
really needs has not yet been subscribed
If it can write S., 900 more of stock before
the foundations are laid, we will have a
better built, more convenient and in every
way more desirable swimming bath.
With three or four, or at least half dozen
exceptions, every one Of those who have
subscribed for stock ought to increase
their number of shares, and there are
fully one hundred citizens we could
name who have not subscribed at all,
who ought 10 do so. and who will be di-
rectly benefited by the enterprise. In
this matter, which means so much of per-
manent good for the city, let not solicita-
ton be waited for; indeed, the directors
say they have no time to solicit for share
holders. They give their time now to
the full extent possible; let the indi-
vidual orders, therefore, come in for
ten or twenty shares in large number,
and at once. There is scarcely young
man in the city who cannot take ten
shares with ease; there are a hundred
men and women who have taken no
stock who ought to do so immediately
and experience a sense of proprietorship
in one of the most beneficent of local
schemes. OF one thing let the people rest
assured, the stockholders who put
up the $4,000 now written have
elected a Board of Directors that
is a guarantee of clean administra-
ton. The baths will be run" for the
people; the people of the homes of the
city. There will be no catering for mere
gain, no favors or determinations Our
children viii have full opportunity to be
taught an essential physical accomplish
ment, without which man is unarmored
and helpless in the presence of one of the
four principal elements of existence.
These baths are going to contribute in
cidentally to another good, that is, drain
age. The water constantly flowing from
them viii dilute sewage and flush long
sewer line. 1t is a legitimate and benefi-
cial use, and the flow must be dis
posed of, and the city will thus have a
new reason for speedily providing, as it
must do in any event, proper means for
disposal of the city drainage If, as there
is every reason TO anticipate, several new
manufacturing establishments are put
into operation in Sacramento, the drain
age from them must be taken care of also.
So that these enterprises all contribute to
the settlement of the drainage question,
settlement that we believe to be not