davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
The record-union. [volume] (Sacramento, Calif.) 1891-1903, 1892-05-21
A MEMORABLE ANNIVERSARY,
October 18th Unites -Four Centuries of
American Life,

October 18th will have a prominent
place in history. 1t not only unites the
four centuries of American life that are
closing with the centuries that are before
us, but it will be made memorable by a
great national celebration. The signal
for this demonstration will be the dedica-
ton of the Worlds Columbian EXPOSE
ton grounds in Chicago,
on that day our foremost American in
stitution-the public school-will be the
center of local celebrations in the cities
and towns from the Atlantic to the Pa
citic.
BY linking together all these local cele-
brations as parts of q systematic national
demonstration the full significance of the
day will be brought out.
The object for this movement for ma
tiOnal celebration is not only to interest
the youth of the country in the Worlds
Columbian Exposition, but also to give
to the American public school fitting
prominence as the fruit of four centuries
Of American life.
Both the Worlds Congress Commission
of the Columbian Exposition and the
American superintendent of Education
have requested that the public schools of
each city and town lead in the local cele-
bration. These two bodies have also APP
pointed joint Executive Committee to
direct the movement and to prepare a
uniform and fitting programme for uni
versal.use.
Every wide-awake boy and girl in our
land has read or will read the message
issued by the Columbian Public School
Celebration Commission with keen in
terest. 1t speaks vigorous word to
every one of the several million pupils
in our public schools. How far the
spirit of this message is carried out de-
ponds upon each individual boy and girl.
We believe they will respond to it
promptly and enthusiastically. They
are too thoroughly imbued with the true
spirit of American loyalty and patriot
ism to permit such an opportunity to be
lost. They will enter into the spirit of
this important event with characteristic
American energy and determination.
1t is an inspiring thought that on Oc-
tober 18th all the loyal sons and daughters
of our land viii be united by one COM
mon purpose of such lofty conception.
We believe that the pupils in our public
schools will prove as enterprising and
intelligently patriotic as those Of any city
or town i'll America. Don't wait until
the eleventh hour. If our schools are to
attempt to be the center OF local cele-
bratIon which shall be worthy of the day
there is none too much time for prepare
ton. Let the schools begin at once.
Teachers and scholars should make COM
mon pa1Sa
The record-union. [volume] (Sacramento, Calif.) 1891-1903, 1892-05-21

The headgates to the Eastside Canal
are three in number, each being Is feet
wide. The headgates to the Westside
Canal are also three in number, each Is
feet wide. The Eastside Canal is 80 feet
wide on top, 30 feet wide on the bottom
and feet deep. The Westside Canal is
40 feet wide on top, 80 feet wide on the
bottom and feet deep.
STATE PowER-HoUsE.
The work on the State Power-house.
situated on the State Prison grounds, at the
end of section one of the east side canal.
designed for the utilizing of the power at
the state Fall, has occupied the entire
attention of the working force for the past
year, and has, like the dam and head
gates, proved much larger undertaking
than was calculated upon. Not until its
completion can the dam and headgates be
utilized for the diversion of the waters of
the river, since all the water taken into
the canal at the dam must pass through
the wheels of the State Power-house,
where there is fall of 7.33 feet, yielding
to the State upward of 500 horsepower
The State Power house proper is now
practically finished, and its machinery
nearly all placed therein, forming one of
the most unique examples of mechanical
achievement to be seen anywhere in the
United States.
The work remaining now to be done,
for the completion of section one of the
canal, is the construction of the walls,
gates, ETC., connecting the State Power
house, both at the inlet and outlet, with
the canal; also of a railroad bridge across
the canal to give the State access to the
prison yard and quarries. This work, it
is expected, can be completed in three or
four months.
When SO completed the entire force
viii be transferred to section two Of the
canal, and as this portion of the work is
entirely excavation and dry retaining
wall OF rubble, it has none of the difficult
features which have made section one SO
long in construction. 1t is therefore con-
sidered reasonable to calculate that the
balance OF the canal may be completed, to
the Folsom terminus of the canal, in
about one year from the time work is
commenced on section two.
The fall of the American River, from
the dam to the Folsom terminus of the
canal, is 81 feet, and there will be up
ward of 20 feet OF fall available at the Fol-
som terminus for power purposes. This
will afford 1907 horsepower, which, on
the basis of 80 per cent. actual efficiency
of the water-wheels, will yield $40
horsepower effective.
TEMPORARY POWER AT THE END OF SEC
TIoN ONE.
Should it, for any reason, be deemed de-
sirable, power may be developed at the
The record-union. [volume] (Sacramento, Calif.) 1891-1903, 1892-05-21
SAID IN FUN.

eff Jones pays me what he owes me. T
shall go to Europe this summer" And
If Jones doesn't pay you what he owes
you" well, 1t Will probably lie Jones
that Will go to Europe."-New York
Press.
This sentence is rather involved ,,
said the convicted copy-reader. with a
sickly smile, as he stood before the Ind
after hearing IL pronounced. yes ;, ,aij
the Judge. lit involves ten years. "-Bos.
ton Post.
Il never send story out for Duhlic,-
tion,'' said Dullpath, the raalist 800
out first having slept over it.n !sI doT,;+
believe l ever read one of ther, ai 81 :
without doing the same thing. F" rat 1919
Hawley.- Harper's Weekly. '-''0>'
Rector Blacl-I was glad to see vo,, in
chufch Yesterday morning. What aid
you thlnk OF my eXordium and perora-
non q, nj d. Easy-Pretty good, but
Rector Biack-But what? Mr. Easv-
Boston Budget. i''i "i'ai''-
Between the Acts-AIrs. Hicks-yya1I
dic you see the man yon were IooLino,
IQr iilcks-No; | couldn't find him
slIs. Ilichs-He would be very sorry if
ne knew It. Hicks-Why should he be
sorry Mrs. Hlcks-To miss a drink -
New York Herald. . I'm
nat do you think of your little sis
yer, osgoodson ~ inquired his tatbar
21io may improve upon more extended
ia 'e'!l replied the little Boston
s..oy, IeSafuing the new infant critically
~. az 81 present she seems absurdlv crude
anu immature. Chicago Tribune.
The record-union. [volume] (Sacramento, Calif.) 1891-1903, 1892-05-21

ton system of India, and who was sent
by that Government to Italy TO study and
report upon Italian Irrigation for its in
formation and guidance in connection
with the construction of the immense
irrigation system of India IA system
whereon there has been outlayed con-
siderably over S1G0, 600 GOETHE result be-
ing most compromising direct profits,
without making any account OF the in
direct profits always resulting from the
irrigation of district.
1t is instructive to us Sacramentans,
with our average annual rainfall of 1880
inches. to consider that the rainfall in
British India where this immense out
lay for irrigation has SO probably been
made by the British GOVERNMENT is
more than twice as great as i'll the Sacra-
mento Valley, the official record of Mad
ras, India, for seventeen years, showing
an average OF 1850 inches, distributed
throughout every month in the year.
It is also fact that precisely in this To-
cality is the most profitable OF all the In
dian canal systems, viewing solely the
direct revenue from water sales, the
works there constructed by the British
Government showing an annual revenue
from water sales alone Of over u per cent.
The record-union. [volume] (Sacramento, Calif.) 1891-1903, 1892-05-21
FUTURE.

five consider the question of climate,
it cannot be denied that that of the Amer
lean River Basin is equal to, if not supe-
rior to, that portion of the Lombardian
plains called the 'Milanese,' and it is
certain that, were q similar system of
water supply furnished to the area sur
rounding Sacramento City, there exists
every natural element to bring about, lin
the future, a development of material
wealth not one whit inferior to that
which surrounds the city of Milan.
When this shall be accomplished, as
Nature has plainly pointed out that it may
be, whenever our people are prepared to
make the most of the natural advantages
SO bountifully spread out in our Ameri-
The record-union. [volume] (Sacramento, Calif.) 1891-1903, 1892-05-21

by one of the minor canals, into which it
Is discharged, atterwari to be used for the
fertilization OF farming lands in the re-
mote neighborhood. No more densely
populated territory and prosperous COM
munlty exists in Europe. and it may
safely be claimed that this is
ALL THE RESULT OF IRRIGATION.
Illustrative of the wonderful produc-
nveness of these Lombardian plains, by
virtue OF their complete irrigation, is the
fact that III the triangle included between
the cities of Milan, Lodi and Parvia,
each side of which is little more than
twenty miles, there Were, by the census
OF 1850, not fewer than 100, 900 head OF
cattle, 100000 pigs, 5000 horses, III addi-
uon TO the teemiEg human population.
1t is TO the immense supplies of manure,
liquid and solid, from these sources, as
Well as to the unequaled irrigation facili-
ties, that the wonderful fertility of this
region is due and its capability to support
the population.
Our average Sacramento County farmer
will tell us he has no need for irrigation:
that he is able to readily raise crops OF
cereals, and to pasture animals, on the
system at present procuring; that the
rainfall is suiflclent TO mature crops, I'M
The record-union. [volume] (Sacramento, Calif.) 1891-1903, 1892-05-21

termed "the American River Basin" and
is quite similar as to soil, climate teNcept
as 10 rainfall, which, as above shown Is
much in favor of the Italian area, also
as to the facilities which Nature has
made disposal for irrigation, and Wmth
the dam OF the Folsom v alter Power
Company now places Within compara-
lively easy reach.
Writing further of the population
which completely irrigated district
may easily support, Captain Smith says;
The total population OF Lombardy, accord-
ing 10 the census OF 1910 was ~ ,634 Inc
rainfall averages 1873 inches per year, OF
which 21.7 inches falls in the month OF lrfl-
gation-say from March TO September lnclu-
siveT-in which months however, are l27 days
clear, ana ola temperature ranging from o
as the lowest, to 97o, as the highest, Whlie,
during the months OF May, June, July ana
August when the greatest amount OF lrflelt-
ing is done, the range OF temperature is rom
70' TO 90 as extremes. With such tempera-
lures as these abundant supplies of water put
on growing crops stimu their growth IN q
necessarily extraordinary way. Dense as is
the population there Are no signs O. It's Oelng
too dense for tie capacity of the soil to StIS-
tain. In the low countries the influence OF
irrigation Is increasing the population dis
ncart OF the most highly irrigated portion OF
Lonbardy, was supporting IN 1850 I0I M
n'oltantS 10 the square mlle, ana 1t Is known
10 nave steadily Increased since.
FURTHER COMPARISONS.
Finally summing UP his report on Ttal-
ian irrigation, Captain Smith writes:
Summing up the above canals of the Milan
csc, we md total area irrigated OF 47l.000
acres. As the total area OF irrigable lands N
TINS district may be approximately estimated
at 100000 acres, IL appears that the rich
province OF the MilaneSe is irrigated to the
extent OF not less than than nine-tenths of its
lrrlgable area, Il proportion to which there is
nothing comparable III the world.
As Illustrative of the indirect benefits
OF the Italian system of irrigation-that
IS, the Increased rental value of irrigated
lands over their rental value when not
rrigated-Gaptain Smith writes:
AggreSatfng the entire irrigation system of
Lombardy we lind that the area actually irri-
gated is 1,o61 1892 acres. AT q very moderate
estimate the annual rental of these lands is
increased, over their rental value not irri-
gated, to the extent of 1850, 600 or u.s., 500
oOo), representing capital value CT fully
y 100000 t$7U,000,O003, due to the eni-
pioymenJ OF irrigation III this fertile region.
BRIGHT FUTURE FOR SACRAMENTO.
We commend these facts, which are un-
The record-union. [volume] (Sacramento, Calif.) 1891-1903, 1892-05-21

can River Basin. then. Sacramento City
will surely become city of at least one
hundred thousand inhabitants, and Sac
ramento County will hold a prosperous,
busy, and consequently, n happy popula-
ton of over half a million OF souls.
The large areas of semi-arid, almost
unpopulated ranches, will disappear, and
in their places will appear numerous
small allotments of well-tilled and pro-
ductive orchards, vineyards and farms,
wherein a diversified husbandry will
give absolute assurance of prosperity and
happiness to population. one hundred
fold greater than the lands now barely
support under the system at present pro-
curing. That
THIS Is NO IMAGINARY PICTURE,
May be conclusively realized by any one
interested in the future of Sacramento
City and County who will take the trouble
OF studying the work on Italian Irriga-
tion,' by X. Baird Smith. L. g. s., Cap
tain of Royal Engineers, for many years
employed by the British Government in
the construction of the wonderful irriga-
The record-union. [volume] (Sacramento, Calif.) 1891-1903, 1892-05-21

mento River, at the confluence of the
American, holds very much the same
position with reference to that area
which may be called the american
River Basin'-as does the city of Milan
hold with reference to the Milanese Basin.
This Milanese area is about the same ex-
tent as the area included in the American
River Basin, which is bounded on the
south by the Costumes, and on the north
by the Bear River, and Of which Sacra-
mento City. in a sense, holds the KEY.
BY the almost perfect system of irriga-
ton (which, it is true, has been the grad
ual outgrowth of hundreds OF years. the
Milanese Basin has been enabled 10 sup
port population of over 700 souls TO the
acre. Milan. as city, mas grown to have
a population of over 100000 inhabitants.
Many of the canals threading this terri
tory are for transportation, as well as irri-
CATION, and bring the produce of the sur
rounding country into, and through, the
city. Not only is the city thus supplied
with produce, by water transportation,
but its sewage is entirely disposed Of
The record-union. [volume] (Sacramento, Calif.) 1891-1903, 1892-05-21

ter supply, for all purposes other than
power purposes, will be carried into
effect by the
SACRAMENTO COUNTY WATER COMPANY,
A corporation which will be formed
specifically for the purpose of receiving
from the Folsom Water Power Company
its entire water supplies, franchises and
privileges, after the power shall have
been developed, and supplying with
water. for both private and municipal
uses, almost the entire area of Sacramento
County. Extensive surveys have been
made, which determine that the water
from the East Side CanaP' perhaps
more properly termed the south side,
since it is on the south bank of the Amer
lean River, may be made TO cover the
entire area between the American and
Costumes Rivers; while the "West Side
Canal" Tor the north side may be made
to cover the greater portion of the area
lying north OF the American River and
between it and the Bear River.
On both systems of canals most favor
able opportunities exist for constructing
reservoirs to hold surplus water, to be
stored therein during portions Of the year
when the river furnishes a surplus fiow
(as is the case tor eight months in the
The record-union. [volume] (Sacramento, Calif.) 1891-1903, 1892-05-21

end of section one Immediately upon its
completion. AT this point the canal must
be discharged back into the river during
the construction of section two. There
is here a fall of 30 feet and upward, which
would develop upward Of 1000 effect
i've horsepower were it decided to de-
velop the power here, temporarily, with
out waiting for the completion of the ca
nal to the Folsom terminus.
1t is probable that this course will be
adopted in order to furnish power to the
mills and factories of the American River
Land and Lumber Company with whom
the Folsom Water Power Company has
made contract to furnish mill sites,
power, ETC., on its canal near the Folsom
terminus.
TRANSMISSION OF ELECTRIC POWER TO
SACRAMENTO.
1t is contemplated, however, that most
of the power will find its market in Sac
ramento City. transmitted there by cleo
tricity, the distance being about twenty
miles in an airline.
Arrangements to this end have already
been perfected whereby the Sacramento
Light and Power Company will, by con-
tract with the Folsom Water Power Com
pany, receive large portion of the power
of the latter company; and converting it
into electricity, will transmit it to Sacra-
mento City, there to be used for the light
ing of the city and furnishing motive
power for street cars, and for manufact
ures of all kinds.
Detailed specifications and proposals
from the most competent Eastern electri-
cal engineers make it conclusively evil
dent that seyenty-five per cent. of the
power taken from the water-wheels can be
utilized in Sacramento, and it may there
fore safely be concluded that Sacramento
will, in a comparatively brief period, be
lighted, and furnished with motive power,
by electricity in manner possible to few
cities in the country, and to none other
on the Pacific Coast.
BENEFITS TO SACRAMENTO CITY.
The benefits of this to Sacramento City
need not be enlarged upon. They are
too self-eyident to need argument, and
too numerous to admit of full enumera-
ton in the limited space of this article.
Certain it is that city having such a
power available can easily become a
model city in respect to those two most
important features, viz: its lighting and
its street-car service, and every good Sac
ramentan will hail the day when our
electric visitor may enter into and en-
liyen our beautiful city.
The record-union. [volume] (Sacramento, Calif.) 1891-1903, 1892-05-21
As He Remembered the sermon.

Rev. DIR. Putnam, for many years one
OF the ablest and most beloved of the
Unitarian clergymen about Boston, went
on one occasion to preach III New
Hampshire village. He was effusively
greeted by one of the congregation, who
said to him: ''Dr. Putnam, / am delighted
to hear you again. / remember when
you preached here before, some ten years
ago, and l shall never forget your SER
mon" Abr said the doctor, pleased
to be remembered, what was the sub
ject Of my sermon?'' 81 don't remem-
Der exactly" was the reply. do you re-
call anything in il which will help to
bring it 10 my mind ?'' II only remem-
Der distinctly one thing" said the other.
on said that theology is not religion
by sightw DR.. Putnam occasionally
told the story with great gusto.-Minne-
apolis journal.
The record-union. [volume] (Sacramento, Calif.) 1891-1903, 1892-05-21

AMERIcRMiGRlVER.. .cRLlFo RNlR.!

less it be in years of extraordinary
drought. The all-sutficient reply to this
is that these works for irrigation of the
Lombardian plains have been carried out
in country whose annual rainfall is 36
inches on the average, of which quantity
near.y one-half, or 1921 inches, falls dur
ing the season of growing crops. On the
other hand, in the Sacramento Valley,
we find the average annual rainfall to be
less than 20 inches, all of which falls in
the limited number of months constitut-
ing the So-called rainy season; and is not
so evenly distributed throughout the
year as is the Italian rainfall, and does
not occur at all when moisture is neces-
sary for the growth OF most crops.
VALUE OF NEUTRALITY-SUSPICIOUS.
The record-union. [volume] (Sacramento, Calif.) 1891-1903, 1892-05-21

Prior to the construction Of those great
canals which now traverse these provinces. all
authorities agree in picturing their condition
as deplorable in the extreme. Their soil-arid
when light and sandy. and when heavy. re-
tanning the water, and so forming pestileDtial
marshes-remained almost waste; no regular
culture could be established the population
was scanty and Impoverished; and. with the
unhealthy state OF agriculture. internal indus
try ana external commerce had their close
sympathy. Nothing could be more striking
than the contrast between the Lumellina un-
irrigated and the same district irrigated Now
il rivals the Milanese in its rich productive
ness; il is one of the most densely populated
regions in Europe; its soils have received inst
the elements they wanted to call forth their
inherent powers; and instead OF arid wastes
or extensive marshes. coTn-delds green mead
ows, or rice grounds cover the face of the
country. The population of the irrigated
plain amounts TO very nearly one million of
souls.
LET sACRAMENTANs PONDER UPON
THESE FACTS.
And reflect that the area thus reported
on by Captain Smith is Just about the
equivalent of the area which we have
The record-union. [volume] (Sacramento, Calif.) 1891-1903, 1892-05-21
r.s shUrrea WHEN RAISED wiz.
I FORM A RessRvoIR hololNe
(73,oO7,!05 Gu YARDS or WAFER

will supply the lands most in need of
irrigation, and which will the most
readily yield profits thereon. Taking it
for granted, however, that complete
system of irrigation to cover the fully
FOUR HUNDRED THOUSAND ACRES
OF tillable lands, which lie within the
bounds above described, would require
many years of time and large OUTLAWS Of
capital to construct. Let US for a few
moments consider what the construction
of these works promises for the future of
Sacramento City and County. In this
connection a most instructive compari-
son can be drawn from what has actually
been accomplished in Italy by means of
irrigation.
Sacramento City, seated on the Sacra-
The record-union. [volume] (Sacramento, Calif.) 1891-1903, 1892-05-21
DORMANT WEALTH.
An Enterprise Looking to the Irrisa.
ton of All OrIf, lands

An Enterprise Looking to the Irripa-
ton of All Our Lands.
Brilliant as are the advantages thus
promised to the near future of Sacramento
City and County, resultant from the de-
velopment of power at the dam of the
Folsom Water Power Company, they are
of minor importance compared with the
benefits finally to be derived from this
dam, because of the general irrigation of
the entire county, which it renders pos
sible.
The dam is situated 30 feet above the
level of the sea, and is therefore about I75
feet above the level of Sacramento CITY.
The basin, or reservoir, above the dam is
upward of three miles long, and has an
area of $3.50, 900 surface feet. The dam is
fitted with a timber shutter, operated by
hydraulic cylinders, and which, when
closed, will raise the water six feet
OVER THIS ENTIRE AREA,
Thus adding 10 the contents of the reser-
voir B, 100 900 cubic feet of water. There
is thus created basin, or reservoir, con-
tanning a reserve of more than Is, 0OO. coo
cubic yards of water-a body of water of
the most important magnitude, which is
constantly available, in addition to the
ordinary daily flow of the river. and all
held at such an elevation that it can irri-
gate the tillable lands of Sacramento
County. besides having head of l75 feet
above Sacramento City distant about
twenty miles. 1t will thus be easily
practicable
TO SUPPLY THIS CITY
With an unlimited quantity of pure
American River water. drawn above all
sources OF contamination, and having a
pressure greatly in excess of the present
supply, which, being pumped from the
Sacramento River, at . point below the
junction of the American River, necessa-
rily carries all the sewer discharge and
other COMMUNICATIONS of both rivers.
The plans for the utilization of this wa