The record-union., 1895-06-22
REASONS FOR ACTION NOW.

In another column of the editorial
page the RECoRD-UNIoN makes it clear
why mere festivals and carnivals are, in
themselves, of no value to a town or city;
that. indeed, except there is behind them
commercial strength and its full promise;
resources developed and to be developed;
prosperity to be augmented, capacity for
growth, and generally advantageous
commercial relations to be exploited. fes-
tivals, carnivals and the like, attracting
for few hours great crowds, serve to in
tensify and bring into greater promi-
nence the incapacities of the place, and
by contrast absolutely do it harm. since
they advertise the non-existence of that
which the town has not and cannot have.
To the perusal of that article in connec-
ton with this we invite our readers, be-
cause we wish to point the moral of the
truths laid down as applied to Sacra-
mento and the approaching inaugural
ceremonies of the utilization of the water
power OF the American River.
If the proposed ceremonials are for the
sole purpose of drawing crowds Of people
to Sacramento and the mere putting of
local vanity, they will be absolutely in
furious to the city. But since that is not
the purpose, but to fittingly observe an
occasion that will emphasize the CONNER
cial advantages, the prosperity, the natu-
raj resources, the remarkably fortunate
business location of the city and its trade
and traffic possibilities, upon which sta
BILE large population alone is to be
builded and Industries multiplied. the
proposed festival has significance TAX
ing it out of the category of usual shows
and carnivalE treated Of in the article re-
fsrred to.
In these parallel articles the RECORD
UNION presents with unmistakable clear
ness and Irresistible force both sides of
most important economic proposition
namely, that under certain conditions
festival celebrations are absolutely in
furious to a community. and do not tend
to its upbuilding and the development of
enduring prosperity; on the other hand,
where there is behind a community COM
mercial strength, natural resources and
industrial activity, attention drawn to
them through inaugural ceremonies of
the character that is to distinguish the
celebration here in September is atten-
ton fixed, and results in solid and lasting
benefits.
Thus the celebration at the opening OF
the Kiel canal has significance because Of
its commercial character, and not because
Kings, Emperors and the pageantry of
nsvies engage in the ceremonial. Pre-
cisely so will be the opening ceremonial
of the Nicaragua canal when that work is
completed. It viii take on value as an
event because of the business possibili-
ties it opens up. and it's trade, industrial
and civilizing influences, rather than be-
csuse Republics, States and Kingdoms
and myriads OF people will witness it.
1t is because. therefore, of the wholly
different conditions. reasons and ex-
pected outcome attaching to the Septem-
ber celebration in Sacramento from those
that relate to flower shows, festas, water
carnivals and similar ephemeral festivi-
ties in other cities, that the RECORD
UNION has urged the immediate forma-
ton of a Chamber Of Commerce, that il
may stand back of and give dignity. char
acter and permanency to the occasion and
its results.
To this it is replied, zone thing at g
time: wait until the inaugural ceremonies
are over and then form a Chamber oi
Commerce. There could be no more
serious error committed in the case thar
to wait The Chamber of Commerce
must be one of the permanent reasons
for the celebration, the business back,
ground upon which the ceremonial viii
be outlined. It should be formed now
that it may be in position OF response
bility to respond to the very inquiries
which the inauguration will awaken.
We want the Chamber of Commerot