The record-union., 1892-02-03
FIXING UP THE CHARTER.
Levees, Surveys and the City's Drain
age Discussed Thoroughly.
The City Surveyors Notes VIII Not Be
Taken as Prima Facie Evidence
In All Cases.


Freeholders last evening, and Messrs.
Green, Simmons, White, Cox, Arm
strong, Hall, Johnson and Roberts were
present.
The order of business was the consid-
Grafton of the report of the Committee on
j'ublic Works, Streets, Levees, Sewers,
etc.
a long discussion ensued on the ques-
ton as q whether or not survey certi-
lied by the City Surveyor as correct shall
he deemed prinaG fdcle correct and re-
oeived in evidence as such. Mr.. Johnson
argued that it was dangerous power to
give the Surveyor. He might be lncor-
rect, and the opposing side would be put
10 the trouble of proving it.
Mr.. White contended that the provision
was a good one. The City Surveyors
notes ought to be taken in preference to
those of private surveyor, who might
he bought to make a different survey. 1t
was not a hardship on anybody to give
the City Surveyor some official standing
and power as suggested by the clause in
dispute.
Judge Armstrong thought the clause
should not be in the section, and he
moved to amend the section by striking
out the clause. The provision was moth
ing more than an attempt to make the
courts recognize the charter in matter
that was not municipal. If the clause
was in thousand charters it would not
make it law.
The roll was called on the motion of
Judge Armstrong, and it was carried by
a vote of to 3. Messrs. Armstrong, Cox,
simmons, Roberts and Johnson voted to
strike out the provision, and Messrs.
Hall, White and Green voted no.
DR.. Simmons proposed an amendment,
10 be added TO the entire section, prOvid-
ing that all records, maps, plats, surveys
md certificates, including monuments,
should be considered the property of the
city.
The doctor stated that even as late a
surveyor as Mr.. Bassett was removing
tome Of the monuments which he had set
While City Surveyor, considering that
these were his private property.
The amendment, as suggested by Dr.
Simmons, was adopted.
An amendment was added to the sec
tion defining the Street uperintendents
duties, requiring him TO hand over ali
the official records in his possession to
his successor IN office.
At Judge Armstrong; suggestion Sec
ton of the report was amended so as to
require notices inviting bids for contracts
10 be published for ten days instead of
live.
following amendment, to be added to the
same section:
Provided. however, that should there
he imminent danger to the city from in
undation the board may in its discretion
contract for the immediate repair of its
Ieyees without such notice, posting or
publication"
MIR. Hall thought the idea should not
be published abroad that the city was
liable to inundation. Mr.. Johnson and
Mr.. Cox were OF the same opinion.
DIR. Simmons said that everyone in the
state knew that Sacramento was leveed
city, and very few people outside of the
State would read the charter.
The roll was called on the adoption of
the amendment, and it was adopted by a
vote of to 3. Messrs. Johnson, White
and Cox voted in the negative.
Judge Armstrong moved that the fol-
lowing clause be stricken out of the sec
tIon relating to the powers of the board
IN considering bids: And must reject
the bid of any party who has been de-
linquent or untaithful in any former con-
tract with the city"
The motion was lost, and the entire
section as read was adopted. DR.. Sim
InOns remarked that the board ought to
reject the bid of any contractor who had
ever swindled the city.
Section 10, which provides that the
Board of Trustees shall have charge the
crainage canal, all levees within the city
and drainage in general, was adopted
without amendment.
There was a debate over Section IL,
which provides that the city may enter
into contracts with reclamation districts,
persons or corporations, outside of the
city, whereby each may be compelled to
contribute its proper quota toward any
works necessary to be constructed out
side of the city.
After considerable talk, however, it was
agreed to let the section stand
This completed the Freeholders' labors
on the report. Before adjourning, how
ever, Mr.. Hall offered an amendment to
that section of the Legislative Commit
tees report providing for signals and
wires for railroads. His amendment
simply inserted provision that in main
tlining such wires the city's fire alarm
system should not be interfered with.
The board then adjourned until to-mor-
low evening.