The record-union., 1893-08-14
A FULL STATEMENT OF THE
WATER PROPOSITION.

n
WATER PROPOSITION.
There appears to be a great deal of ig-
norance-we do not use the word often
sively-regarding the water proposition
to be voted on on the Goth inst We confess
that we cannot comprehend why there
should be any misunderstanding at all
about it, but many good citizens appear to
be badly mixed" as the saying goes, on
the question.
A simple statement of the matter is now
attempted. and for the accuracy of the
facts the REcoRD-UNIoN pledges itself.
The present water supply is an offense
in the eve of strangers, whatever resi-
dents may think of it. That fact mill
tates against our progress, Injuries busi-
ness and retards growth. 1t will be re-
called how the water we use was made
weapon against us in the last Legisla-
ture.
The present water supply machinery is
incomplete, and as it is not duplicated,
exposes the city to the peril of water
famine and a confiagration. The water
main is wholly insufficient, and is laid
upon a wrong principle, a fact stated
when the main was put in.
To put in a main such as we should
have, secure a system that will give us
clear, pure water, and insure a pressure
of 100 pounds maximum will cost the city
1000. in the opinion of Trustee Conk-
hn-that is, such a system as is proposed
under the scheme now to be voted on.
The Chief Engineer of the Water Works
has reported officially and repeatedly
that while the Holly pumps have been
repaired at heavy cost and are now in ex-
cellent condition. yet he deems the city
in great danger, and liable at any moment
to serious and great loss, and to pos
sible raise of l per cent. in insurance
rates, simply and solely because the sup
ply apparatus is not what it should be,
and because parts of it are very, very old.
The city recently advertised for schemes
or propositions to supply the city with
clear, pure water. Mountain or gravita-
ton supply and subterranean systems
were submitted, but the schemes to bring
in water from the mountains dropped out
for two reasons-First, the city would
not listen to any proposition to bring
water in bitches any distance at all; sec
ond, mountain companies could not
promise ct any time TO sell the city the
system, because they propose to furnish
other towns and cities and otherwise use
the water reservoired in the mountains,
and Sacramento on its part i0oaId neUer,
and neUer should, agree to sell out the
aeater supplying priUilege to any corpora
ton or company: she iaSiSts upon oacnlag
her own agorks and collecting her osoa
rates aud being free from entangiement
arith ang company holding a right to col
tect revenue in her borders or to possess tie
exclusive right to supply 0ater Jore0er.
8 1t is believed that a subterrranean sup
ply of good water is at hand near the
city. A company that represents the
largest pump concern in the world pro-
poses to prospect for that water on the
condition that II it is found: II it is suffi-
cient; II it is pure; If it is clear; If it is to
the satisfaction of the city under test
good drinking water, then the city shall
take the water from the company for
twenty years at stated sum, which will
give Sacramento water cheaper than any
water supply in the State.
AT the end of that time the city may
buy the land, wells and machinery at a
price to be fixed upon by arbitrators; or
it may decline to buy. In that case the
city shall take the water five years more.
Then it may again offer to buy, but if it
does not, then the contract is to run five
years more, and then to absolutely end
and cease.
But, in accepting this contract, the COM
many at its own cost is to put in great
main the whole length of the city. The
city is not to put out dollar for any
thing. lis to retain its old water works