The record-union., 1895-07-06

In one of the first of the Eastern cities
not all ordinances are aimed against BIZ
cyclists. On the contrary, there has just
been adopted in their behalf one provid-
ing that it shall be misdemeanor to
place on q street or alley, or permit to be
placed, any glass, tin, metal, crockery,
plaster, loose stone, tacks, nails, or other
things that will punoture. crush or need
lessly injure bicycle tire.
That is we'll. but it was not necessary
to name bicycle tires. Common decency
and propriety command that such ar
ticles as are referred to in the ordinance
should be kept out of the streets. We
assume that there is law in this city
that rubbish, glass, metal, old cans and
the like shall not be placed in the streets
and alleys, but who has heard of late of
that law being enforced? On the con-
trary, il is evident to whoever can see
that the officials not only do not propose
TO enforce it, but really encourage its vio-
lation by their inaction.
There are few residence streets in
which this offending is not common.
Really, is it not about time to pray for q
wave of reform to sweep over US in this
respect? Or would there be danger in
keeping the highways of the city clear of
nuisances danger that the shock of the
thing might paralyze some of those
whose duty it is to see that the law ia en-
forced?
We understand perfectly we'll the ex-
cuse that is made; namely, that if there
is offending those cognizant of it should
swear out complaints against the Offend
ers. SO, then. the officials sworn to sus-
tain and enforce the laws and salaried to
proceed against offenders are to suck
their thumbs, while citizens hail their
neighbors into the Police Court. What
rubbish. In all other cities when there
is street obstruction and defiance of the
street ordinances and official vigor the
Street Superintendent proceeds against
the offenders.
Is it possible that the Street Superin-
tendent of Sacramento and his deputies
and employees are absolutely ignorant
that cobble and gravel haulers daily
loose stones? Do they mean to say that
they do not know that in one of the most
travelled of the residence streets on the
south side q rich man has kept pile Of
tree tops in the street gutter for week
and over? Did they not learn through
these columns that rubbish haulers
dropped blocks of marble in Sixth street,
and that they remained in the highway
for week7
Do they not see daily that Chinese veg
etable peddlers strip vegetables over the
tailboards of their wagons, and cast the
refuse into the street, Are they 30 short
sighted that they do not know that ali
manner of rubbish iitters most of the
graveled streets at not infrequent inter-
vals? Are they not aware that the most
travelled business alley in the city is the
receptacle of all manner of filth, broken
glass, stable and house rubbish, hotel
and restaurant refuse, and the likes
In all sincerity the people should in
quire into this matter as to whether our
officers have been stricken blind or are
simply defiant. An ounce or two of
energy on their part would correct the
offenses referred to. 1t will require but
one or two convictions to bring about re-
form in the use of the streets. We have
| ordinances enough and too many, what