The record-union. [volume] (Sacramento, Calif.) 1891-1903, 1895-07-30
A TRUE STORY ABOUT SACRAMENTO.
How Two Capitalists Had Their Eyes
Opened.
Value Of Timely Defense OF Much
Maligned City-Sacramento
Is All Right.

We need a Chamber of Commerce very
badly to correct false ideas about Sacrs-
meuto. Here are two instances that are
proof Of the need
Richard O'Neil of San Francisco is
capitalist. Indeed, Mr.. O'Neil, is quite
millionaire. He owns good deal OF
property in Sacramento. In the main 1t
is unimproved property. He has not set
much store by it evidently. at any rate.
Mr.. O'Neil clearly knew very little about
Sacramento. except as Information Is
given by her enemies.
Yesterday Mr.. O'Neil, who has been
some months in lower portions OF the
State. came to the city with the intention
of staying just four hours and in that
time making ready to clear himself OF all
his possessions in this city. Accordingly
he called upon G.. 0. Hayford, his real
estate manager, and had short and sharp
interview with him, evidently. Inc
burden of 1t at least we have.
"Mr. Hayford l want you TO value all
my property In Sacramento. Can you do
30 at once 2"
'Then set about it. PHI be back in an
hour"
At the end of that time Mr.. O'Neil re-
turned and was informed that his lands
were worth in the neighborhood OF
$4,000
Nov sell it for me, all Of it, and get
5000 less than your valuation, and Will
be satisfied"
but do you need the money!"
"Oh, no.''
"Why sell then, where there is such
solidity?"
Never mind that, sell it. 1 want no
property in Sacramento"
But come, will you go with me irst?'''
"Where?"
ITO see the town. You don't know it."
After some persuasion Mr.. Hayford in
duced his principal to GO with him on a
ride about. the city. When they got
above Tenth or Twelfth streets alter
viewing the changes on business streets
critically, Mr.. O'Neil began to manifest
surprise, as street after stree. was ira
versed, the new homes seen, the tine resi-
dences viewed and the absence of signs
ITO Let" noted. and the capitalist began
to ask, What does this mean? All things
seem to be prosperous here. In San
Francisco every fifth door bears sign
To Let have seen very few here. L
can count them on my fingers"
well, there are few; desirable prop
erty is occupied, and note. sir, that new
homes are going up on all siGes. Note
the changes since you saw Sacramento
last. You see you did not know we had
such city"
True, am surprised"
The sub-station of the Electrical Power
Company was visited; the story of cleo
trical power transmission told and ex-
planned. The amount spent on stree.
work in five years stated, the extent of
building that has been going on pointed
out, the healthy condition of the financial
institutions dwelt upon, the increase of
population, slow and steady, stated, and
the absence of boom methods empha-
sized. The commerce of the city was set
forth, the steadiness of the growth of
trade, the condition of the educational
system indicated-imaginatiOn can sup
ply the rest.
Mr.. O'Neil had his eyes opened. He
saw Sacramento that he had not sup
posed existed. He found a healthful. I'M
inflated prosperity and a stable security
that he had not dreamed OF, and the re-
suit was that he cancelled his order to
sell, and went away thoroughly disabused
of false ideas he had of Sacramento and
her condition and prospects. Indeed,
from an anxious seller Mr.. O'Neil be-
came satisfied holder, and went back
with lively sense OF interest in Sacra-
mento, of which he may well be proud.
There may be reason to believe, indeed,
that Mr.. O'Neil may become convinced
that this is one of the best places in the
State for investors, and that he may fol-
low the example of General Clunie and
resolve to build up some vacant blocks
here and there.
However that may be. his order to sell
has been withdrawn, and convinced by
what he saw. he now has confidence in
the place. In fact. there was never any
reason why he should not have had 1t all
the time.
But then, Sacramento has been 80 per-
sistently lied about, and it has SO many
industrious enemies and these are
among the reasons why we need Cham
Der OF Commerce, and right away, too.
We need some authority that can strike
back and refute SANDER about the city.
Mr.. Hayford had another experience
with another nonresident property
holder few days ago. one of the Van
Wrinkle heirs. He. TOO, really knew
little about Sacramento save to its dis
credit, according to Dame Gossip. He
came to the city; he saw and he went
away leaving an order for tentative
estimate and plans for three-story stone
front building Oh leading street.
We apprehend that there are good
many people like Mr.. O'NeiI aud Mr..
Van Wrinkle. What they need most is
to know the truth about Sacramento. For
we repeat, it is the most persistently mis-
represented town and most maligned city
on the footstool. We need body OF good
citizens in such an organization as the
Chamber of Commerce to beard lies and