The record-union. [volume] (Sacramento, Calif.) 1891-1903, 1892-08-19
IMPORTANT MATTERS.
Citizen Shields Talks Of Levees, lrri-
cation ard Electric Power.
He Thinks the City and County Should
Accept the Natoma Water
Company's Offers.

IdSb MONDAY. NOJ the IedSt pl6aSuAc
had was to witness the fair play enjoyed
by all who wished to give expression to
their views about the levee system. But
l was not a little surprised to see how
closely each speaker kept to the qnes-
tons under discussion. The earnest
speakers took their turn, waxed warm III
the debate and gave place to others who
also grew earnest. I could not warm up
to their temperature, and not wishing to
cool the interest, was an interested
listener.
VIII you allow me to say that am
convinced that the levees will have fair
treatment. This, people will say, is not
q positive stand IN favor OF higher and
better fortified levees. L am in favor Of
them. and in favor of influencing the
Trustees to take high stand, also.
But my conviction has not been pro-
duced by the mere desire to be out of
danger. In fact, my reasons are so much
stronger and more vigorous that the de
sire OF safety Is III degree dlsregarded.
The argument of greatest weight with
me is the report of MIR. Livermore and
the long distance electrical transmission
expert, after visiting the Folsom dam,
and upon its adaptability TO our wants
for power in this city. Their report IS
better than | can make, and | will not
disturb ii, except to repeat that the trans
mission of power from that place is per-
tectly practicable.
But they have said, or others for them
have said, that we must improve our
leveeS against overflow or breakage as a
preliminary to the introduction of this
power.
IMPORTANT TO LANDOWNERS.
Large as this offer is for the city, their
offer for the county is, in my opinion.
much larger. Mr.. Livermore has un-
doubleday said that he is now ready 10
introduce water for irrigation on the east
ern side of this county when 10000 acres
have been pledged to use it for this pur-
pose.
1t may be that am out of the current
of thought conversation and reading on
this subject, but believe L am not more
so than nearly all of our citizens, both in
the city and country. | mean that little
has been said on the subject, and while
the owners of the water are doubtless
formulating methods, 1t seems TO me that
the takers are not alive to the great value
of it to all of us.
1t does not require that we shall again
go over the ground of health considera-
tions, for it is certain that our lands Will
not produce .one-third as much produce
without irrigation as with 1t, and that
water completely under the control OF the
bitches is not more injurious than when
taken from a steam-pump or windmill.
Nor does it require 10 be repeated that
pipe or ditch will give more constant
supply, and much cheaper than can be
had in any other way.
Constant is used with as great en-
phaSiS as at my command, for StoppageS
of water on the soil of our county are as
destructive of crops here as droughts in
any country. Beside, there is this incalcu
liable advantage over all countries that
depend upon rainfall, viz: that we (irre-
gationists) never are dependent upon
showers.
We are now abreast Of that question,
and we must act upon it. The Deep
Gravel Mining Company of El Dorado
County once called upon our citizens and
offered us water for irrigation if we would
agree to take it. History repeats itself in
such rapid periods that now the Folsom
Water Power Company makes the same
proposition. but in more definite form:
"W hen you are ready to irrigate 10000
acres we will bring the water to your
DOORS"
THIS COMPANY MEANS JUST WHAT IT
SAYS.
Will we accept it, and how must we
prepare for it? [ am convinced that the
better way TO carry the water through
the country is in pipes, for several rea-
had in pipes that will raise the water 10
the hight of our rolling lands. | once
thought that elevation in a ditch was the
only method, but the ditch would have
10 be elevated and take the crown of ridges
and high land for purposes Of distrj bu-
ton, and the pressure would be small
and variable, according to the variable
nights of the ditch and the land to be irri-
gated.
PIPES, OR bitches?
Understand, we in this county cannot
food our lands. They are i'll a majority
of cases too rolling for that. We cannot
reduce them TO level. because OF the
injury to the soil and the crust. But we
can carry Ill bitches or pipes the water to
every hight, and thence distribute it TO
the sides and bottoms of these hiIlocks
L fear that L am writing to WEAKNESS,
but we need to compare notes. L have
been nearly right III some things | have
said, and do not claim to be exact in
much more, but if they cause some to
think and others TO speak out, it will do
good.
These two questions are separate, but
all OF our questions of great enterprise
are also interdependent. The electrical
works viii be much more valuable with
irrigated lands than without them.
BOTH GREAT PROPOSITIONS
Are made by the same company, and to
citizens of the same county. If the one
is accepted by the city, the other can be
had on better terms by the county II
the water is accepted by the county, the
city ought to get better terms in the use
of electric power.
But, while both are better to be had to-
gether, the power is the one we have to
look after now, and prepare for its recep-
ton.
When the Central Pacific Railroad was
beginning its operations here our officers
and citizens had not the comprehensive
views OF its needs that we have since
gained by experience. We were slow
and stingy in giving them and helping
them To room for their cars and works.
LOST OPPORTUNITIES.
We were equally slow in helping the
agricultural implement factory that was
once, as is often said, anxious TO locate
here. l have it from first hands that a
fine tannery failed to get encouragement
sufficient to locate here.
l very well know that if our citizens
are informed of these things some
steps will be taken TO correct them. !
take great pride in believing that very
soon a committee should call upon these
men OF such magnificent propositions
and ask them to tell us whether 1t is their
desire to have Front street raised five feet
higher; and that we shall comply TO a
nicely TO their wishes. +. Nj. SHIELDS,