The record-union., 1894-07-03
LEvEE BoNp INTEREST.

The following communication was re-
ceiyed and action on it deferred for eight
weeks:
SACRAMENTO, Cal, July 2, 1894.
To the Honorable Mayor and Trustees
Of Sacramento Cit1t-GENTLEMEN: Hay-
ing notice that by almost a unanimous
vote you have decided that the clear water
furnished by Henry, Abbott ct al. has
been rejected, and also noticing that 1t
seems to be the unanimous desire of all
the Trustees of the city that we should
have clear, wholesome water, and believ-
ing that this view is held by so per cent.
of the citizens of Sacramento, l wish to
call your attention to the following facts:
l have a tract OF land about one and
one-half miles east of the city which has
been heretofore known as the Gravel
Pit" / have every reason to believe that
this gravel pit was one day a channel OF
the American River, which emptied into
the Sacramento River about four or five
miles south of this city. If this is fact,
and 1t is a fact that this gravel is inclosed
by well-defined banks, as has been proved
by me by drain dug some 600 or 700 feet
from the gravel pit west toward the city,
where we had TO blast the hardpan, it
goes TO show that it is impossible for sur
face water to penetrate this pit below the
surface soil.
l am willing to allow the city the privi
lege of undertaking To make proper
test by pumping out the surface water
and digging pits in this sand TO any depth
you may see fit, so that you may test and
lind out whether there is a sufficient
quantity of water, and if this has been
demonstrated to your satisfaction that
there IS, then have the water properly
analyZed, and should it be found
you have sufficient quantity,
and also of the proper quality, l
will furnish to the city of Sacramento
from five TO seven acres of land, includ-
ing this gravel pit, or such amount Of
land as is necessary to maintain proper
water system for the city, for the consid-
Grafton of 81, and the further con5ldera-
ton, that l am TO have water for my house
and barn and orchard, Immediately ad-
joining thereto.
a water works could be erected on this
land cheap. from the fact that there IS
plenty of stone in the gravel pit for all
mason work. There has been trench
dug several hundred feet west of the
gravel pit, at cost of over s., 900, which
might be utilized in laying the water
mains, which should be at least thirty
six-inch No. IL wrought iron pipe, IN
order TO be able TO stand the proper pres
sure and furnish the necessary quantity
of water for growing city for perma-
nent water system. l have been strong
in the belief, ever since / visited South
Bend, Indiana, last year, and saw there
system of wells in the gravel where suffi-
cient water is obtained of the very finest
quality for such towns as South Bend,
Kalamazoo, Battle Creek and others be-
tween Lake Michigan and Lake Erie,
where there is supposed TO be an under
ground current passing between the two
lakes in the sand and gravel, and since
that visit l am convinced that this gravel
pit of mine is the proper place for water
system for Sacramento. The cities To-
Gated on the sand and gravel belt between
Lake Michigan and Lake Erie in Michi-
gan and Indiana, are supplied with as
fine water as any cities in the world. No
better fltering system can be had when
you can keep the surface and sipage
water from coming IN contact with the
living water in the sand and gravel be-
low.
By establishing system of water
works at the east of the city you can
bring into market a large portion of
country that will greatly increase the
water revenue.
am aware that it is maintained that
the city has not sufficient money. nor is
it within the power OF the Trustees to es-
tablish water works. If this is d fact it is
well that we should know the true con-
dition of affairs, and as the Legislature is
to convene very soon, II seems TO me that
the proper legislation can be had which
will authorize this city to procure the
necessary legislation (as an emergency
exists to establish somewhere near the
city proper water system.
The present Water Works are inetfi-
cient, and the city is liable at almost any
time to be confronted with great con-
fiagration, and it is conceded by all that
this question should be settled as to the
ability of the city to erect water works.
Therefore l have called your attention TO
this matter in order that you may be able
to make the proper tests at small costs
during the time you are investigating the
subject of your ability to be able to con-
struct the proper water system that this
city requires.
Trusting that you may avail yourselves
of this opportunity, | remain yours re-
spectfully, II. G. SMITH.
REFUNDING BONDS.
Devine said it would be well for the
members OF the board to impress upon
those who will represent the city in the
Legislature next winter the importance
of taking action on refunding the present
debt. Ii tits done it will reduce the taxes
to 81 so. Let posterity pay this debt.
ALLEY CLOSED.
Davis called UP the ordinance closing
the alley at Twenty eighth street.. be-
tween NJ and n.
Devine opposed. 1t had been referred
to him and the Mayor, and the latter told
him that it had always been his rule TO
oppose the closing OF alleys. He thought
the street railway company had obtained
many valuable privileges at very small
cost, and he did not believe in granting
more. He did not think the alley should
be closed.
Lawton said that as rule he was op-
posed to closing any alleys. He had tar
rather open them. This company, how
ever, asked to have this alley closed for
build extensive works. They will give
employment 10 500 people and be great
Improvement to the city, He favored
closing it.
The ordinance was passed.
OTHER oRDINANCEs.
The ordinance providing that wood and
hay shall be sold only on the mark ct on
3 street was passed.
The plumbing aud drainage ordinance.
after considerable discussion, was laid
over for two weeks.
An ordinance permitting managers of
theaters and newspapers the privilege of
maintaining bulletin boards upon the
sidewalks was adopted.
CLERK EMPLOYED.
Leonard introduced a resolution that
the board employ an assistant clerk for
month ON Board OF Equalization work at
a salary of ST5.
The resolution was adopted unan-
imously.
SALOON LICENSES.
A license was granted to Rippon &
Tryon to keep saloon at 229 Twelfth
street.
Andrew Waldron was granted a license
to keep a saloon at 700 street, and III. b.
Gamble to keep saloon at GIG Seventh
street, These are old saloons.
Petitions were presented for license to
f-oa,, a saloon by Johnson IL Arm hrnster