The record-union., 1892-12-10
THE ANNEXATION SUGGESTION.

Our local columns have given full news
of the debate and movement looking to
annexation to Sacramento County of a
small tract Of land opposite this city and
including the town Of Washington. No
thought of the extension of Sacramento's
city limits enters into the scheme.
Taxation in Yolo and Sacramento
Counties, taking groups of years, is about
the same, and the wealth of the two coun-
ties is about equal. The people of Wash
ington do business in Sacramento and
large numbers of them have all their
business interests in this city. The few
acres sought to be added to Sacramento
County are not a source of profit to Yolo:
on the contrary, they probably occasion
Yolo authorities a good deal more of
trouble than they would to Sacramento
County.
The Yolo and Sacramento sides of the
river of this city are of equal concern 10
the people of Sacramento; but that is not
true of YolO-her concern is with but
one side of the stream. 1t is a fact
well known and undeniable that author
tiles chosen from highland sections dis
tant from river bottom lands have not
that sympathy and interest in the latter,
and in river bank protection, that is felt
by authorities chosen in a political divis-
ion where bottom land and river inter-
ests are of more importance to the entire
section. This reason alone ought to be
sufficient for bringing both sides of the
river at this city under one political con-
troll.
Sacramento is growing. It's vote proves
that it now has fully $4,000 or 35, 600 popu-
lation. 1t feels the need for making bus
mess expansion easier, and of more firmly
securing business interests near the river
front-their natural location. But there
can be no business expansion now, ex-
cept eastward, without entering the do
main of a county, the greater interests
and wealth of which lie far distant from
river frontage and its interests. Even if
business needs would push it eastward it
would be but change by abandonment
of one section for another and no gain.
That is to say, from Twelfth street to the
river is the natural business location and
where its center should always remain.
This is equally the interest of the east
end, which is a residence section and
cannot hope for great manufacturing in
terests to locate so far from rail depots
and river landings. Whatever conserves
the business interests of this city helps
equally all portions of the place and adds
to county wealth and Importance
To annex Washington and few acres
below, above and back of it, to this
county, will stimulate the Improvement
spirit 1t will give ample room for fact
ory locations and enable invitation for
individual investment to be made with
inducements not now possible within
city limits under city taxation. The re-
suit would be the leveeing in of the tract
on the back, Improvement of the river
frontage, raising of grades, street build
ing and paving, wharf landings ana the
building of homes for those who should
live near to the establishments in which
they labor. Contention between oppos-
ing bank residents would be largely elm
mated, and common interest in common
protection be promoted.
Sacramento capital will not embark.
however, in such improvement on the
west side as should be made with the ter
ritory under political control mainly dis
tant from it and not in close sympathy
with it. But if expansion can be had
westward across the river, both counties
will be benefited, because augmented in
dustry and improvement are not wholly
local.
Hthere can be expansion as suggested.
business eenters will remain as now To-
Gated, and no one wishes them to be
changed, new ventures in business re-
quiring much space will find room on the
west, and enjoy the facilities Of contiguitv
to the river and to the commercial focus.
The people of Washington would be
especially benefited by the proposed an
nexation. Their taxation would be no
more than now, while all Improvement
stimulated by annexation would inure
directly to their benefit. 1t would secure
to them sooner or later larger measure
Of safety and river-bank improvement,
bring to them much of the comfort and
convenience of city life without city tax
alton, lead to elevated grades. bettered
streets, rapid transit and other benefits.
The whole scheme would seem to be
one Of local improvement and expansion
and closer union between people having
q common interest. Incorporation has
been proposed to Washington, but that it
would benefit its people is not clear. 1t
would, however, give them the luxurious
privilege of paying lot of official sal
aries. But annexation of the small terri
tory contemplated would greatly benefit
them, because behind that would lie the
entire business interests of the CITY of
Sacramento, which are influential and
progressive in far greater degree than
may be supposed; still behind those in
terests would lie the Importance and
interest of a county interested equally in
the preservation and Improvement Of
rivar hanks and wharf convenience -,