The record-union. [volume] (Sacramento, Calif.) 1891-1903, 1895-08-01
sACRAMENTO's NEW LIFE.

reality. For years and months the posi-
bilities to Sacramento under the incom-
ing of electrical power haye been treated
by the press; but it is wei in the making
of history to now state the whole case to
gather up the threads of inspiration for
the new life of Sacramento, and as brief y
as can be done to set out the reasons, his.
torical and otherwise, for the activity now
manifest relating to the approaching cele-
bration.
Sacramento, the Capital City of Cali
fornia, with a population of over 3d. 00
is located at the confluence of the Sacra-
mento and American Rivers. The latter
Is a torrential stream and for third of 8
century has been looked upon as the
means of developing great power for the
uses of industry. 1t is now quarter of g
century since bold spirits conceived the
idea of damming this stream and harness
Ing the power within it's rapidly descend
ing waters. A beginning was then made
30 realize Ihe idea. foundation being
laid that to-day is portion of the mag
stream in check over twenty-four miles
distant
Sacramento City is the natural trade
center of vast fertile, producing area
capable of supporting by the yield of the
soil and the mine population that will
be numbered by millions. 1t is the COM
mercial center of the interior of the State,
the terminus of several lines of railway,
the chief city upon the chief navigable
stream of the State, recognized COM
meroial competitive point by transporta-
ton lines, the city nearest to the noun
tain ranges on the east border of the
State. and yet but short distance from
tide water; the market place of the larg
est and most fertile valley of the CONT
nent, and the entrepot of the chief min
ing regions. and is the principal fruit
shipping point of the coast.
These advantages make it prominent as
prospective manufacturing city. where
st least the raw products of this State
that enter into varied manufacture may
be most economically worked up for
home consumption and other marketing.
They inspired the men who planned and
have carried out the scheme of utilizing
the water-power of the American River.
Sfata fo6 Of ito
prisons at Folsom, and entered into a
Quasi-partnership with the promoters of
the power scheme, whereby great dam
has been constructed. the waters held
back in sufficient quantity and conveyed
in great canal to the States power
house, where it is utilized for prison pur-
power-house Of the private enterprise.
Here the force has been converted into
electrical energy and 5000 horsepower
transmitted by wire twenty-five miles to
Sacramento by system of generators
and wires quadruple in character to a
Eub-station, where it is now being dis
tributed for the operation of an extensive
electrical street car system, for lighting
purposes and for the operation of motors
of all classes.
By this system, subdivision of power
is made easy and the application of mo-
tive force to machinery secured more d.
rectly than is possible with steam power
For under this system a motor distinct
from all others may be applied to the
operation of single machine independ-
ent of and unrelated to a great power
plant, as in the case of steam, an economy
that is well understood by those who en-
At the same time the new power is ju st
as easily and cheaply employed by small
manufacturers. and for domestic and all
other purposes. This power is supplied
at greatly lessened cost as compared with
the production of energy by steam, es-
pecially where fuel is scarce and there
fore costly, as in California.
Lying back of and near to the impris-
oned waters of the American River are
the most extensive and the richest sugar
pine and other timber resources of the
Sierras. Upon the line of the canals are
the best and most extensive granite quar-
ries Of the coast. Near by are slate de-
posits that are unsurpassed in extent and
excellence. East, north and south are
the old and new mining regions, that are
now for the first time experiencing thor
ough exploitation and development, and
that unquestionably are yet to lay bare
their greatest wealth. Westward. north
west, south and southwestward are the
largest and most fertile agricultural val
legs of the continent, and the largest and
most fruitful horticultural and viticult-
ural lands of the State, while The bottom
lands for vegetable, hop ana other bot
tom growth for fertility and luxuriance
of yield are not to be paralleled in the
Union.
From the city railways lead northward
part of the distance in double lines
through the Sacramento Valley. Oregon
and TO the Column ia River:eastward across
the Sierra range 10 the great basin and it's
States and Territories and the far East
southwark through the great San Joaquin
Valley to and across the Tehachapi range
and into Southern California, and thence
to Mexico. the mouth of the Mississippi,
and the South and the East; westward