The morning call. [volume] (San Francisco [Calif.]) 1878-1895, 1892-04-02
TIE oAKLAND BOND ELECTION.

For several weeks past the citizens of
Oakland have had before them PROPOSE
ton to issue municipal bonds 10 the extent
of S1,2G0,o00 for what have been desig-
mated as Improvements. One-third of this
amount it is proposed to set apart for
school buildings and other kindred uses.
This proposed appropriation of $500 coo
for school purposes does not meet with
much dissent. No opportunity for waste is
discovered in this plan. 1t stands alone on
its merits and will be voted for, or other
wise, separate from the other two propo-
sitcnS.
These are respectively to expend S40o,0
in constructing a boulevard around Lake
Merritt, and a like sum TO convert salt
marsh into park of something more than
100 acres on the northwestern side of the
city. The two last propositions are made
TO balance each other. One could not be
carried without the other. Never in the
history of Oakland were propos ltions for a
large municipal expenditure loaded down
with so many adverse conditions. These
have all been imposed for the enhancement
of private interests. Every foot of land
bordering on Lake Merritt is owned by pFi-
yate parties.
The scheme of creating a boulevard
around this water park has been shaped
and promoted by these interested persons
Tie proposition, reduced to the simplest
terms. is to make the city eXpend S400 900
in constructing a broad avenue, not on the
land. but in tie water in front of the land,
where the mud is from 80 TO 90 feet deep.
Fer this purpose a retaining wall u 0uld be
required for about 7C00 feet, and the mud
filed in behind it. II is well known that
S400,000 will never stop this municipal hole
and that more than double that sum will be
required to construct this avenue, primarily
for the benefit of lan6-holders on the mar
Gin OF the lake.
TIE scheme. as outlined, reduces the area
OF this small lake by about A. acres, and
this reduction is mainly in the interest of
the few persons who own the adjoining
property. 1t would enhance the value of
marginal lots all the way from 100 to 300
Per cent, while the owners contribute only
such common taxes as are laid upon all the
Dther property of the municipality. Cit
liens who have taken their stand against
this job are not opposed TO public improve
ments. They protest against waste and the
corruption in and out of the City Council
that is backing up this scheme. They
maintain that whenever it is necessary
to construct a boulevard or public street
around this lake, it should be made on the
solid ground; that the honest course 20
pursue in such an event would be that fol-
lowed in opening any public street. The
damages and benefits should be assessed to
the iot-Owners over whose land the avenue
IS laid.
Then the balancing proposition requiring
500, 600 more is TO convert about one hun
dEed acres OF salt marsh on the westerly side
OF the city adjoining the tracks and depot of
the Southern Pacific Railroad Company iu,o
pleasure park. Every foot of this marsh
is held by private parties. 1t has been used
TO some extent as a dumping ground be-
cause the city authorities have taken no
measures to prevent il.