Amador ledger., 1900-08-31
Incorporation and Sewerage.


erage. 1t is because incorporation
holds out the hope OF securing general
sewer system, that the advocates of
that movement are urging the people
to vote Jackson into a city. A few
years back the only sewer system
known in Jackson was the antiquated
method of cess-pools in the natural soil.
1t was believed at that time that if the
thlckly settled portions of town could
only find an outlet for the sewerage
in the creeks, the question of improved
sanitation would be solved. Since
then many of the business houses, pub.
lie buildings and private residences
have made the creek channels the
dumping places for sewage; and now
there is greater howl about unsatis.
factory sewerage than there was under
the primitive regime. The strangest
part of it is that those who have en-.
loyed the privilege of sending down
their refuse for the benefit of others.
are almost unit in favor of incorpor-
alton. Do they begin to realize that
existing conditions cannot continue:
that they will be called upon ere long
to take care of their sewage upon their
own premises; and hence start the cry
OF Incorporation and a general sewer
system. No figures are given as to the
proba BILE cost. They estimate the ex-
pense in the same way they estimate
the property value by guesswork.
Why leave the public in the dark on
the vital question of cost? Why not
have some reputable civil engineer in
vestigate the matter and submit plans
and figures. That would be the
straightforward course. But no; citi-
zens are asked to vote incorporation
first, and study the consequences after
ward. They are called upon to vote a
few more men into Office; whether they
can accomplish anything ia the line of
permanent Improvement is an after
consideration. Would any reasonable
man conduct his private business on
such know nothing basis?
The prevailing idea about a sewer
system seems to be that main pipes
should be laid along the three creeks,
with junction below the meeting
place of the forks; that connecting
sewers should be laid along the various
streets at depth of about foot from
the surface; leaving each individ ual
property owner to connect with the
street pipes at his own expense. The
cost of sewer pipe, the expense of dig
ging trenches and cementinP Joints,
according to this view, is all there is
to it. Such method, making no pro-
vision for ventilation, manholes nor
surface drainage, would be a waste of
money, and in no way tend to promote
the health of the town.
1t has been estimated by those who
have given the subject close study,
that a proper system for city OF
eighteen thousand inhabitants will cost
at the rate of $40 per capita, the city
covering an area OF $50 acres. These
figures are for an English city, where
la Dor and material may be estimated
at a much lower basis than here. The
town site of jackson covers GAO acres;
and even the proposed abbreviated
municipality would cover about $50
acres. In face of these facts, and also
that every foot of right of way for
sewer pipes through the creek channels
would have to be acquired by gift or
purchase from private owners, the cost
of anything like an efficient system may
safely be placed at double the per
capita given for the more compact
English city. This would make sfOO,
600 for the total cost. Let US roughly
estimate the main sewers to be laid by
the authorities at $751; leaving
s25, 600 to be borne by the Individual
property owners in making connec-
tions. How is this money to be raised?
There are only two ways to raise funds
for such improvements. First, by the
issue of bonds extending over a period
of years-say 20 years. This would
necessitate sinking fund of $3.50 each
year to meet the maturing bonds. In
terest let us figure at five per cent; and
it is doubtful if money could be bor-
rOwed at such rate. This would
make the first annual payment of in
terest amount to $3.50; making a total
of $500 to be raised the first year to
pay first instalment of principal and
interest. Let us see what sort of tax
rate that would impose upon the prop
erty owners in the newly -fedged city
for the first year of municipal honOrs:
For running expenses ......... 0. Is
For sinking fund ............... 90
For interest. Observation-Disclosures. 90