The record-union., 1895-06-12
THE PROPOSED ELECTRICAL CAR
NIYAL.

Our evening contemporary, the Bee.
has suggested, and is vigorously advoca-
ting, the proposition for an electrical car
nival in this city in honor of two events,
the introduction of the new electrical
power and the visitation of the Native
Sons on Admission Day in September.
The RECORD early advocated
elaborate decoration of the city in that
holiday week, and has made several sug-
gestions as to means and methods in that
direction. notably that the decorations
should be systematized. 1t cordially in
dorses the ideas of its evening oontempo-
rary in the matter of the electrical dis
play, and will lend all assistance to the
accomplishment of that end. The idea is
good one and should engage the hearty
and unanimous support of all our people.
Sacramento has now an opportunity that
1t will be the hight of unwisdom to let
pass without full improvement.
In addition to the scheme for general
illumination, and for trolley-ine electric
floats, which are feasible and will be most
novel features of what should prove the
most notable event in the history Of the
Capital City. we suggest an electrical il
Illumination of the Capitol building.
Similar illuminations, but not with
electricity, have been had upon great
buildings throughout Europe on holiday
occasions for many years. In the chief
cities of England, France, Italy and Ger
many. and in Australasia, public buildings
are decorated for night display by having
their outlines marked by slow-burning
fireworks, and on some occasions by
tapers. We can improve upon such plans.
and at greatly less cost and without any
risk of fire whatever.
Suppose electric wires bearing electric
lamps, are run over all the contour
lines of the whole Capitol from the
ground floor to the apex Of the dome.
marking also the lines of all the open
ings and the pillars and the cornices.
When such lines of light are flashed up,
the effect will be indescribably beautiful.
and will exceed greatly the effect pro-
duced upon the electric tower at the Mid
winter Fair, conceded to be the Chief
feature of beauty at that exposition. In
Chicago, at the Worlds Fair, the great
Masonic Temple had from its top long
lines of electric lights stretching away to
far street corners, and the effect was won
derfully beautiful. Such lines of light
from the lantern of the Capitol dome to
the street corners would be q far more
brilliant decoration and surpass any
thing ever seen on this coast.
It would probably take thousand in
candescent lamps to accomplish this out
lining, but the cost would be little more
than the placing, since these lamps, and
a far greater number. and the wires,
which need to be lightly placed, will ali
be of as great value at the close Of the
festival as before, and will be needed al
once by the company In the ordinary
course of its business. The cost of such
adisplay will not, therefore, be great and
unquestionably it will be the most note.
worthy illumination ever made upon the
Pacific Coast.
Let Sacramentans heartily engage in
the scheme for the electrical festival. Nc
matter what it costs it will pay. It is due
to the OCCASION; it will legitimately and
widely advertise the new facility foi
business that Sacramento will from thai
date offer to the world; it will draw to us
large body of visitors. and will fit
tingly crown the entertainment of the
city's guests, the Native Sons.