The record-union., 1892-07-02
RIGHT ACTION AT LAST.

The first step has been taken in the
matter of genuine and thorough levee i'm
provement. 1t was taken firmly, well,
and with such determination and honesty
of purpose that the whole people of the
city will commend the action of the meet
ing of citizens that had the courage to
take the initiative to inform itself of the
actual conditions Of the present. cour-
ageously face the exigency of the time
and prepare for mastering it.
The association formed on Thursday
evening should embrace every we'll
wisher of Sacramento. Every taxpayer
and property-owner, however small or
large his financial or property interests,
ought to send in his name for enrolment.
The nonresident who has interests here
should array himself with the movement,
and applaud the resolution Of those who
live here. and by whose energy alone can
the interests of nonresident owners be
protected. Those whose homes are in
Sacramento are trustees for the non-resi-
dents. and the latter should, therefore.
give them all the support that is in their
power.
The meeting of Thursday had all the
facts before it; facts of which the few are
thoroughly well informed, but which the
many know but in part. 1t was the unan-
imous judgment of that assem- blage in
the light of the facts that the need for i'm
mediate, thorough, systematic action is
pressing, and that no cost can be counted
against it that will not be wise expendi-
ture and in the direction OF appreciation
of values and their permanency.
There must be now no carping, hesi-
fancy or trusting to luck in this matter.
Those only are helped who help them
selves; those only are insured against i'll
who are prepared to meet and defeat it.
But if the necessity were not immediate
and pressing, the action resolved upon on
Thursday night would be no less wise.
The community, however well con-
vinced of the entire adequacy of present
levee defenses, will do itself infinite good
by removing even the least excusable of
fears, and putting to rest, once and for all,
the doubts and speculations of even those
who have nothing at stake.
To do as is proposed is to make belief
certainty, to invite investment, encour-
age building, stimulate trade and to visit
discontinue upon enYious rivals and
known enemies of the city. But it is not
vast work that is proposed; the cost, in
comparison to the immediate benefits
and the millions of values involved, is
but trifing. AS the proposed improve
ment is TO be for all time, and the good
results will inure to the welfare of other
generations, it seems wise to project this
cost over period of years and thus dis
tribute burdens equally with benefits.
We entertain the belief that if the plan
is submitted to the vote of the people of
Sacramento it will receive their indorse-
ment with the emphasis Of an almost
unanimous voice. Under that assump-
ton the work can be begun by the middle
days of August and prosecuted with such
vigor that before winter sets in it will be
completed. The money should be given
on the credit of the city by our own
people, and we are confident that it viii
be, and that no shaving of bonds or ap-
peals to outside capital will be necessary.
since it is scheme to give higher value
to a security already held to be excellent
for financial investment. The money is
to be expended here to the last dollar
and will give employment to large
number of men who viii return it all to
the channels of trade. Thus industry
will be conserved. trade stimulated, the
city's credit enhanced. property values
appreciated and a new and healthful
stimulus given to the growth of Sacra-
mento. which is now upon the high tide
and must suffer no ebb.