The record-union., 1895-02-21
THE WATER AND SEWERAGE SIT
UATION.

UATION.
1t is necessary that every citizen of
Sacramento should clearly understand
the water and sewerage question as it
now stands before them. It is suscepti-
bic of such clear statement that no man
can plead misrepresentation hereafter.
These are the facts:
In 1898 the people voted upon the prop
osition to contract with certain parties to
prospect for clear water east of the city,
with the understanding that if it was
found in satisfactory quantity and quail
ity the contract should be closed
By the terms of the agreement the city
was to retain full control of its Water
Works and the revenue therefrom. II
was simply plan TO buy of sources east
of the city instead OF buying of the river,
as we now do. and it involved no debt.
The prospect was made and water in
proper quantity and quality was found,
and the contractors then called upon the
city to sign the necessary agreement, the
special election agreed to the proposition
TO prospect with all its consequences.
For reasons not now profitable to discuss
the Trustees refused to carry out the
agreement, various excuses being made
all the way from objection to the report
of the analyst to objection to the volume
of the vote
Thereupon, after much importuning,
and persistent refusal on the part Of the
Trustees to sign the contract, the assignee
of the prospectors brought suit against
the city for damages in the sum of $500, 900,
and that suit is now pending in a Fed
eral Court.
While prospecting was going on the
Trustees, responding to the public de-
mand, called for plans for an improved
sewerage system, and at last one was
agreed upon as the most desirable and
economic of the several submitted, plan
involving least abandonment and fullest
utilization of the existing sewers.
At that point the Mayor called a halt
by vetoing an ordinance submitting the
sewerage plant question to a vote of the
people. Just prior to this action the
Trustees received reports called for by
them, setting out that the present water
works pumps are worn out and that they
need fertilization prior to extensive re-
pairs, by the Introduction of a new
pumping plant. This they propose to
buy and locate at the present Water
Works, TO continue the pumping in of
slickens and river drainage. To that
taxpayers in large number have objected
on the ground that the emergency is not
now greater than it has been for several
years. and that if new pumps are pur-
chased they should be located so as to pump
in clear, potable water; that in the mean
time hired relay pumps can be put in
place to reinforce the tank pressure, and
remove the danger of breakdown and
s.water famine.
But it is found that the city, even if the
people by vote so ordered, cannot borrow
erage systems until there is leadiustment
OF the bonded Indebtedness. The major
portion of this debt is held for the city by
a Sinking Fund Commission, which be-
lieves the debt will be wiped out within
the next six years under the commits
sion's operations. Until that is done, or
until the bondholders waive their right
to interest. no new debt can be contracted
sufficient for water and sewerage re-
form. REIMBURSEMENT of the old debt
would be speedy and satisfactory, were it
not for disagreement as to the liability of
the city for certain back interest and
the question of interest upon overdue
amounts of the debt. That issue has re-
Gently been brought into court, and is
now pending.
The proposition now comes from the
authorities to submit to vote these three
questions:
l. Shall the Trustees carry out the
original water contract, for the violation
of which the city is now sued?
2. Shall the city settle with the contrac-
tors for dismissal of the suit, on the basis
stated. namely, the payment of So, 900?
3. Shall the city issue certificates OF in