The record-union., 1896-05-01
THE NEW SEWER SYSTEM.

The City Trustees have resolved TO
submit to vote of the people the propo-
sition to expend SEC, 900 for new sewer
system. 1t is to be expended, II au-
thorized, according to plans laid out py
City Engineer Mullenney. Just what
these are in all details the people Will
know, though the time for proper study
of them is very short.
The Record Union knows nothing
of the competency of Mr.. Mullenney 10
plan a proper sewer system IL does
know of him as civil engineer. Pos
sibly his plan is an excellent one' pos
| siblv it may be defective. 1t shall have,
as it deserves, perfect fair treatment.
1t must stand or fall upon its merits. II
would be little less than crime TO eX-
pend 100000 upon a sewer system that
will prove inadequate and defective. 1t
will be positive economy to expend the
money in securing a system that Will be
effective and accomplish for the city
what a proper system should. The in
formation now wanted is whether the
proposed system is to be constructed
with a view to present or early future
connecting of houses direct with the
laterals and mains? If not, why not?
Are we to simply secure drainage, and
are we to adhere to the old, dangerous
the offensive cesspool system? Can we
get an effective and satisfactory new
system for $50, 900? The "Record-Union"
doubts it.
It is the unanimous opinion of all
scientists, the verdict of all sanitarians,
the Judgment of all sanitary engineers,
the conviction of all experience, that
the cesspool system saturates the SOIL
renders it obnoxious and unfit to live
upon, and that when epidemic diseases
prevail, it furnishes the breeding
places for the germs of disease. There
city. There are some 5000 others that
have been used that are covered, filled
or partially filed, and abandoned. All
this filth in the ground saturates the
porous soil, for only the minority of these
pits are cemented, and do not relate
Immediately to the soil.
Whatever sewer system is put in,
therefore, should have in view the
abandonment Of the cesspools. When
that abandonment is accomplished Sac
ramento will be by 100 per cent. more
desirable as a place of residence, and
high as it now is in the level of public
health, it will go up to a new and far
higher standard.
1t would be simply the part of pru-
dence to have Mr.. Mullenney's plans
passed upon by a sanitary engineer. Mr..
Mullenney is not specialist. This is a
day of specialism. Men devote them
selves to study and experimentation In
single directions, and become in that
way especially trained and educated
upon a distinct line of knowledge. If
Mr.. Mullenney's plans are sound and
worthy of adoption, all the more honor
will come to him by having them passed
upon by an expert. If they are de-
fective he Of all men will desire to have
them corrected, since he cannot afford
to have any mistake made in this
matter.
It is therefore suggested that the plans
be examined by an expert engineer, who
has made drainage and sewage disposal
a special study The Trustees can well
afford this, because they assuredly de-
sire to have no money spent under their
administration that will not be effective
for good They will wish the people to
vote intelligently on the question, and