The record-union., 1893-08-28
THE CLEAR WATER VICTORY.

The people of Sacramento on Saturday
endowed their city munifcently. Mill
ions of dollars of money could not have
so benefited the city as the expression of
the people that puts Sacramento in the
front rank ofthe army ofprogress. Her cit
liens by splendid majority declared that
they are weary of the domestic water sup
ply with which they have put up all these
years and that has steadily grown worse.
They testified that they prefer a
hundred fold to buy their water as they
buy their coal and their street lights and
other supplies, until such time as they are
financially able to own and operate a new
plant for themselves, while retaining
the control of the present system, as they
do.
In voting for clear, pure water supply
they have kept faith with the people of
the State to whom they have so long been
promising. They have turned aside the
reproach that has SO many years been the
shame of the Capital City. They have re-
buked unwisdom, causeless fear and the
non-progressive element. Now comes
the period of action. 1t is Of the first i'm
portance that the work of prospecting for
the water supply shall begin at once. No
season is so propitious for it as the dry
season. At no time in all the year can
the test as to reliability of the volume Of
the supply be so well made as when the
veins of water in the earth are supposed
to be at their lowest ebb. At no time
will the expenditure necessary to make
the prospect do so much good to the labor
ing people, who by reason of the finan-
cial and industrial stress, are now actually
suffering, and are facing no less prop
lem than the pinch of hunger for their
wives and children.
After all the time spent on the specifi-
cations, after all the debate that has been
had, it ought to be no matter of difficulty
to close the contract in a few hours and
let the bidder order his supplies for set
ting men at work the moment he has Sc
lected place for prospecting. 1t may be
that he will have to try in several spots.
In 1850, in the columns of this journal.
Mr.. Rose, at great length, gave his expe-
rience in prospecting for water east of the
city, and pointed out the several distinct
water bearing strata. and the differences
existing in the qualities of the yield. So
that Mr.. Fish has some months before
him to locate his plant, for he has all at
risk and the city nothing. He must be
sure of good water and an ample supply
before he puts in costly machinery, or
offers for acceptance by the city water
that he is willing to stand by and venture
his money upon. We therefore reflect
the unanimous opinion of the friends Of
pure water. that the Trustees will at once
take up the subject and not postpone it a
day longer than is absolutely necessary.
In this connection it is to be noted that
there is some wild and woolly talk by the
disgruntled of attempting to stop pro-
ceedings. That is simply silly chatter.
liz AlaIOAANS nave ONSA 6A-
pressed their will; let it be respected.
The idea that the city may not contract
for water to be delivered, just as it does
any other supply, gas and electric light
ing, coal supply, etc., is absurd, un-
worthy of consideration. That in an ad-
visory vote a two-thirds affirmative is
necessary is equally ridiculous. The
proclamation called for nothing of the
kind; the election was held under no pro-
vision of the law demanding anything of
the kind. Nevertheless the friends of
clear, pure water ought to form some sort
of an organization, to see to it that if there
is any attempt to undermine the will of
the people ii is promptly met and de-
feated. We have confidence in the City
Trustees, that having asked the advice Of
the people. and having received it, they
will act upon it in the same direction, but
the friends of clear, pure water should
stand by these officers and give them all