The record-union., 1899-06-23
Weather Forecast.
A REASONABLE DEMAND.

A REASONABl1E DEMAND. ~
There appears to be in certain quar-
ters determined disposition to pre-
vent the submission Of the water ques-
tion to the people. Delay is the object
an view. just why, may be surmised.
But the scheme to postpone, and thus
defeat will not win. The people have
a right to pass upon their own needs
and this must be conceded by their SER
wants
analysis of water proposed to be intro
duced and that psychological tests
take much time, the objection applies
ITO any source of supply. In the matter
of the east side source these analyses
and tests have been made, but if need
be can be repeated. How can the Amer
lean River source be tested and anal
yzed until the SYSTEM of collecting, set
Ting and sand filtration is set UP, that
the resultant may be tested? If ditch
water is to be tested brought from any
source, how can that be done, until at
least an experimental line is completed
and resultant precisely like the supp
ply to be furnished is produced for ex-
animation?
The mechanical filter tried some time
ago has had it's test, and the record IS
made precisely as the test was made by
the State Analyst of the east side sup
ply. But delay of submission will in no
wise advance tests and analyses If the
latter are never entered upon. There
must be a beginning, and that begin
ming should be made at once by the
Trustees making the necessary investi-
cation, deciding upon some proposition
and submitting it to the people.
Nothing is easier than to object. OBJ
struction is the simplest and most un-
fair of campaigns to be made against
a public improvement. For instance,
New Orleans is an unsewered city. 1t
is subject to malignant fevers and to
malarial disorders. The people at last
became convinced that the city must
be severed and cleansed, and a high
grade sanitation system be established
Half a dozen or more plans We're sug-
gested. Agreement among the officials
could be had upon no one of them. But
the people clamored for something to
be done. Their demand was needed and
the question of taxation and debt to se-
vote and by an overwhelming majority,
recently, the people voted in favor of
having a sewer system and such SAN
itation as may be found most effective.
What these shah be IS left to the judg
1nent of the officials.
Sacramento is infinitely better situa-
ted. She knows just what is proposed.
BY her official boards. aided by advice
of citizens committee. the best sys-
tenn can be resolved upon for a pure,
clear water supply. When that is done.
after deliberate and fair examination
and testing, the question Of adoption
can be submitted to the people.
There is no sound reason that can be
advanced why we should wait longer
before making beginning. There were
obstructionists In New Orleans also.
The people We're told they were not
sufficiently intelligent upon the subject;
that more time must be taken for ex-
animation; that the city had done we'll
enough for two hundred years, and that
new tangled notions were dangerous.
They were told of the dangers of debt
and the unwisdom Of credit, and all
that. People with axes to grind pleaded
for delay, and more than one PROPOSE
fion was made TO Withdraw objections
If certain systems could he assured Of
choice.
But the good judgment Of the peo-
pie prevailed, and by an enormous vote
they resolved that sewer system
should be put in. So it is here; the peo-
pie are convinced that the first great
need Of the city Is a clear. pure water
system: that the second is new sys-
tenn of mains; that third is new
High School building. They want all
three, and they are prepared to order
them.