The record-union. [volume] (Sacramento, Calif.) 1891-1903, 1895-02-26
THE WATER AND BOND PROBLEMS
Discussed by the City Trustees, But
No Action Taken.
Kent and Devine Set Themselves Or
as Experts on Water Supply
The City Debt.

The City Trustees held special meet
ing yesterday afternoon to discuss the
proposition Of purchasing new machinery
for the Water Works and the offer of the
San Francisco bondholders TO forego for
one year the collection of the interest on
their bonds for 1895, so as to allow the
city an opportunity to better adapt the
Water Works for the services demanded
OF them.
President Lawton said the amount to
be expended would be about $4,000. In
order TO use the money for the purpose
desired, the board would have to get the
consent Of the Funded Debt Commits
sioners.
Messrs. Cummings and Smith of that
body were present, and they stated that
they had agreed to take no action in the
matter.
President Lawton said the engineers of
the Water Works informed him that it
would hardly be possible to get through
the summer without additional ma
chinery. Corporation Counsel r. L.
Deviin had informed him that if all par
ties Interested are satisfied the board can
expend any amount of money for the
purposes of supplying the city with
duced the following preamble and reso-
lution:
WHEREAS, The water procured from
the wells dug under the contract entered
into by and between the City of Sacra-
mento and a. l.. Fish was not sufficient
either in quantity or quality; and
whereas, this Board of Trustees believe
that water can be procured of sufficient
quantity to supply the city for all future
time. and of a quality suitable for all pur-
poses, it is hereby
'ReSOLUed, That the Mayor is hereby re-
quested to act in conjunction with this
Board of Trustees in having wells sunk
In an easterly direction from the city for
the purpose of ascertaining If it Is possible
to find water in sufficient quantity and OF
equality for the city's use, and that in
the event water is found in sufficient
quantity and quality, it is the opinion OF
this board that the city itself should set
up plant and exclude any other owner
ship, control or agency"
Kent said he was opposed TO the reso-
luton, because 1t contticted with the suit
brought against the city by w. Z. Henry
for the alleged violation of the pure water
contract. lie moved that the resolution
be laid on the table.
Devine agreed with Kent. He thought
nothing should be done in the matter un-
lii after the suit is decided.
Kent said the members of the board
had made up their minds that there is not
water enough in the wells. He said that
in his opinion the quality of the water is
not good.
City Auditor Young read a section of
the charter, which provides that the mat
Ter would have TO be submitted to q vote
of the people, and must be carried by a
two-thirds vote to become effective.
On motion of Kent the resolution was
laid on the table, to be taken up at a
future meeting.
Devine then spoke at length in opposi-
ton to the proposed compromise OF the
suit against the city by W. h. Henry
lie said be might yet bring the matter OF
the signing or the contract between Fish
and the city before the Grand Jury. If
the money were III the treasury when the
proposed work is completed, there will be
no need of calling a special election.
Ezlozer said he was not ready to make
any proposition TO anybody looking to a
compromise. The offer to compromise
by payment of 5000, or to submit the
matter again to the people, was vague
one.
q Mayor Steinman said it would be bet
ter plan to make settlement. Consider
able money would be expended in a
lawsuit.
Kent said as it would cost the city about
$1,000 to retain a lawyer in the case he
would have that sum offered to Henry
On motion OF Kent, the matter was laid
over week.
Tozer said the time had arrived when
the city's indebtedness should be re-
funded. 1t would be a wise plan to issue
SoOO,OOO n per cent bonds for that pur-
pose.
Lawton said the bondholders would not
accept any more bonds until they get
their 100000 interest on the back bonds
Nothing was done in the matter, and
the board adjourned until evening.