The record-union., 1893-08-22
WORK ON THE LEVEES.
The Committee of Citizens Stirs Up
the Board of Trustees.
The Bond Commissioners Come to the
Rescue With an Offer to Buy
Levee Bonds.

Chairman w. A. Briggs and members
+. R. Dray, james MCGUIRE, j. O. Cole
man and ii. Weinstock, of the Citizens
Levee Association. appeared before the
City Trustees yesterday with reference to
this years proposed work on the levees.
DR.. Briggs acted as spokesman, and be-
gan by reading statement that had been
drawn up by the committee for the bene-
fit of the board. 1t was as follows:
Realizing that the season is far ad
vanced when levee work can be econom-
ically and effectively done and, above all,
being impressed with the importance of
securing the best possible levee protec-
ton for our city at the earliest possible
moment, we hereby urge your honorable
board to take immediate steps to
strengthen and complete our levee system
in accordance with plan outlined by the
Citizens Levee Association and approved
by the people at special election held in
September last. In reference to the work
done, we respectfully recommend that Y
street, from the river levee to Ninth street,
be raised to high water mark; 1. e, to a
level three feet lower than the river levee
at \ street; that the Y-street levee east of
TO level corresponding to the grade of
Thirty-hrst street at its junction with Y,
and that the east levee be restored to its
original condition.
PROTECTION FOR THE LEVEEs.
I'VE further recommend that all posts
be removed from the levees, and that the
slopes OF the levees in their entire extent
be planted to Bermuda grass. Inasmuch
as the east levee has been weakened by
of md OIL
further recommend that this part of our
levee system be protected by wire fencing
on either side, in order TO exclude sucn
stock, as well as to prevent future ques-
tion of the rights of the city.
1--WE believe that the iron and iron-stone
pipes buried in the Y-street levee and
penetrating the front levee are menace
not only to the integrity of these levees
but also to the safety of the city. We
therefore recommend their removal. We
believe that the front and north levees
Will be amply strong when completed in
accordance with the contracts already let,
and as we are informed to be promptly
and energetically fulfilled"
SHOULD BE NO DELAY.
DR.. Briggs added, in support of the
statement, that the improvements were
desired by the people, and for that reason
should be gone ahead with. 1t was not
new condition that presented itself to
system was stronger than its weakest
part. want of confidence among the
people was disastrous, as has been we'll
illustrated in the financial world recently
Lack of confidence among the people of
Sacramento had proved disastrous in
years past There were several reasons,
SAID the doctor. why the ievee work
should be done now. 1t could be done
more cheaply at the present time; it
would give employment to a great many
people who need it; it would put money
into circulation and would strengthen the
confidence of the people in the safety of
the city. "Eor over thirty yearsu he
said in conclusion, ''the ghost of 1862 has
been stalking IN our midst, intimidating
capital, and it is about time that it was
relegated among bygone superstitions."
Trustee Green informed the doctor that
the very work outlined in the resolution
was already IN contemplation by the
board, and some Of it had been COM
menced. Regarding the removal of pipes
from the levee he did not think such
thing practical. He called attention to
the fact that the board had already de-
cided to raise the Y-street levee from
Front street up to the cemetery.
THE SENATOR OPPOSES PATCHING.
Senator f. r. Dray addressed the board.
He said the Levee Committee was aston
ished when it read that the board was
going to put a foot of gravel on the Y
street levee. He said no such work had
ever been contemplated by the commit
tee. He did not relish the idea of seeing
so much work done only to be done over
again. The gravel would only have to be
taken up after year or two. Better
complete the levee first and then talk
about gravel tops afterward, said the
Senator. 1t was all nonsense to patch
and job with levees. He wanted to see a
good and lasting piece eff work, such as
a nd Z H.,
voted TO pay for.
Major II. Weinstock said that the work
on the levees was a disappointment to the
people. They had expected to see their
levees so high that there could never be
any more talk about floods. But last
year the Trustees started IN with the work
so late in the season that much of the
work was washed away. The commit
tees object in appearing before the board
was to emphasize the necessity of not
being dilatory this year.
Mayor Steinman said it was easier TO
talk about raising levees than to do it,
There was only $4,000 in cash in the
levee fund and the board had decided to
do the best it could with this amount. II
was true, he said, that there were So, 900
in bonds, but they would have to be mar
keted.
Major Weinstock said $4,000 a wear
was no better than had been done in the
past, and 1t simply meant patchwork.
The dream of the people was a disap-
pointmeEt
THE MAYORS PURSE OPEN.
The Mayor said there would be no
trouble about raising the levees, If the
board had the money at its disposal. A
great deal of work could be done, and
should be done. a great many men with
families were out of employment. and
were only too anxious to get chance to
earn an honest dollar. He was willing to
go into his pocket, he said, and assist in
converting the bonds into money. He
would take one of the bonds for 81 900.
and all that was necessary was for the
committee to trot up fitty-four more men
who would do the same as he. Il stand
ready at all times to do anything in the
interest of Sacramento City" said the
Mayor in conclusion, land it doesn't
make any difference if l have to turn my
pocket inside out in order to accomplish
it,"
The Mayors words cheered the com
mittee, and they expressed themselves as
pleased with the spirit he showed They
declared they would profit by it, and
hoped others would emulate the example
set by him.
After some further talk it was decided
to further discuss the matter at a special
meeting to be held Tor that purpose by the
board tomorrow morning at 10 o'clock.
THE FUNDS PROVIDED FOR.
Several members of the committee sub
secuently held a conference with the
Trlstees on the subject of raising funds
for levee work, with the result that
Messrs. f. II. Dray, II Weinstock and j.
q Coleman We're selected to call upon the
Rond commissioners and see if that
hodv had any funds that could be used