The day book. [volume] (Norfolk, Va.) 1857-1867, 1865-09-19
LOCAL.

The WATER QUEsTIoN.-In the summer of 1860
we introduced the water question, and in a series
of articles, showing its physical, social and moral
advantages, advocated the introduction, into this
city, of plentiful supply of water. We had
nearly succeeded in our project when the war
broke out and placed all local projects in obey
ance. Now however, "grim visag'd war has
smoothed his wrinkled 'front.'" and questions of
local interest, are beginning to engage the atten-
ton of our people, and the most important among
them all, is the introduction of water into the
city. As soon as the heated term set in we saw
that our citizens, and particularly the poorer
class, would suffer, unless some speedy relief was
afforded; to this end, we addressed ourselves to
the repair of all the old pumps, and the erection
of new ones. We succeeded in this, and the people
have been enabled to get through the worst of the
season; man and beast has been supplied with
water and at so small cost that the figures
are not worth the mention. And thus would we
be content to let the matter rest for year or
two, and in consideration of the impoverished con-
dition of the city oppose any farther outlay for
water, did we not see an opportunity by which
that very desirable article can be introduced
without calling on the city for one dollar
We understand that there is a party, now in
this city, who are willing to advance all the need
full capital, and take the bonds of the city at par
for the amount. By this means water can be
introduced into Norfolk without the city, in her
corporate capacity, having to pay out one cent.
''Ah but, says the croaker, or old fogy, ''the
interest on these bonds must be paid, and it must
come out of the people,"
True, very true, it must come out of the peo-
pie, but it comes out of the consumers of the wa
ter, for we contend, that with proper manage
ment, the water works would be paying institu-
ton, from the first year, and would not only pay
the interest on the outlay, but would pay all the
costs of repairs and other incidental expenses in
addition. All are willing to admit that there is
an urgent and immediate necessity for the intro
auction of an ample supply of this essential arti-
Gle. No one denies the assumption that the future
prosperity of our city depends upon our action in
this matter and yet there are two classes of our
people who oppose it, (that there are exceptions
among them we are ready to believe,) and who
are they =?
LIST. The owners of city scrip.
3D. The owners of real estate.
The first fear that, by increasing her debt the
city may be unable to pay the interest on all her
Indebtedness, while the second class fear an in
crease of taxation ON real estate. These obec-
lions fallacious and palpably unreasonable
Insurance now ranges from one to three and half
per cent, and even though the water works were
not selfsustaining institution, and it were found
necessary to increase the rate of taxation real
estate, the diminution of the rate of insurance
would more than meet the increased rate of taxa
ton. But there is no fear of such increase !; the
works will more than pay the interest on their
costs, and will leave fund on hand to help paw
the interest on the other bonds of the city Be
sides, the introduction of full supply of water
will increase our population, this will bring an
increase of personal property, and this, of course
will enhance the value of real estate and the
greater, the population the greater the amount of
taxes received by the city to meet current expen-
SEES and liquidate existing Indebtedness.