The record-union., 1898-06-24
WHY NOT FOR SACRAMENTO?

WHY NOT FOR SACRAMENTO?
One of the lessons the present war
has taught the American Government
Is that it must have greater war re-
sources and facilities aggressive and
defensive upon the Pacific Coast and
notably in California.
This coast is now to assume such a
vastly greater Importance than ever be-
fore; it is so surely to become the CEN
ter and pivot of an American commerce
of the magnitude of which we have as
yet but faint conceptions; as it is GER
tainly to cease to be the stepping off
place for American enterprise, capital
and industry the nation must here have
points of reliance and preparation for
assault and defense that will be con-
servative of peace and prosperity
In view of the fact then that the
centers of supply and Quitting for
army and navy are not to be confined
hereafterato the Atlantic States it is
conceded that the Government must
have, and speedily, upon this coast and
near to its chief harbor, San Francisco,
a gun assembling plant. The citizens
of Benicia have already preferred their
claim for the location for it. But we
see many reasons why claim for the
location in Sacramento would be
strong one and why it would address
itself forcibly to the Government. Our
citizens should be awake to this oppor
tunity. Opportunity always suggests
the means to the end it offers. It al
ways suggests activity for its improve
ment Let us be awake to these sug-
gestions.
The necessity for a California gun
assembling plant is manifest and con-
ceded. The remaining consideration is
locality. 1t must be inland that it may
be free from possible assault by an
enemy's ships. It must be central that
arms may be easily and swiftly dis
tributed. 1t must be related to great
transcontinental lines Of transportation
that are unlikely to be interrupted in
case of war, or by the Vaccinations of
secret enemies. 1t must be near a line
OF water way that it may have easy
trans portation in for fuel and a water
supply for the works and for movement
of guns to tide water. t
1t should be near considerable COM
munity that there may be readily called
to its defense a superior force. 1t
should be reasonably near to the naval
station that equipment for ships may
be speedily and easily forwarded.
Now Sacramento possesses all these
qualifications far and away above any
other locality. 1t is central. From this
point shipments of distribution can be
made by rail to all parts of the coast
without exposure to assault from ships
of war, for through the great valleys of
California and Oregon run lines of rail
which converge at this city
At this point there flows the largest
manageable river of the State, upon
which by boat and barge fuel can be
brought in and guns shipped out to the
naval station at Mare Island with the
least possible exposure TO capture; or
guns assembled here can be shipped TO
Mare Island by rail absolutely free
from assault by an enemy approaching
by water.
This city is related to and upon a
great transcontinental line over the
Sierras, on another running through
the States to the north Of US, and
reaching the upper waters of the Mis-
sissippi Valley; another traversing the
great San Joaquin Valley and thence
east to tide water on the Gulf and at
the mouth of the Mississippi River, and
another by the same southerly route
through the State and thence by a
south and central route across the
country, reaching the Mississippi at St.
Louis and similar points.
These are in outline the advantages
of this place for a gun assemblin
plant. But there are other strong rea-
sons in detail why the Government may
be induced to select this locality. Such
an establishment means the erection
of great works and the employment of
from one TO three thousand men, skilled
workers, as the need may be.
Our selfish interest, therefore should
prompt US TO move in the matter, and
that, too, at once If we do not sue
ceed we can lose nothing by making the
effort. But we ought to succeed. for
the fact is that there is no place in the
State presenting so many advantages,
strategic, commercial and economic
and Of safety as Sacramento.
OF CONCEPTIONS OF HONOR
The Madrid correspondent Of the
New York Post" a most intelligent