The Norfolk post. [volume] (Norfolk, Va.) 1865-1866, 1865-07-01
THE PEOPLES COLUMN.
WATER-WORKS.

To the Editor of Norfolk Post:
The author ofthearticle "Anti- Water"
signed Common Sense" which APP
peared in the Post of the 10Th, acts with
paternal kindness when he advises the ad-
vOcates of Water-works in the two cities
to turn to some other subject to get his
support. They have the support of
Common Sense already. No logic is
necessary to answer the "AEti-Water"
arguments. Strip them of their Clancy
fixings," and it will appear how ridicu-
lous they are.
Mr.. Common Sense opposes the
city's having anything to do with
"Water-works,o because, "It looks
very much as if somebody wanted to
feather his nest and wish our citizens to
foot the BILL" In palmer language, Mr..
G. S. would rather not have Norfolk en-
joy the benefits of plenty of water, be-
cause somebody may get a yearly in
come as superintendent, secretary or
something of the kind. What splendid
business man Mr.. G. S. would make. If
he could increase his income $4,000
a year by engaging a clerk at one
thousand dollars per annum, he would
rather not do it, because somebody
would feather his nest by the operation"
Can you, Mr.. Editor, explain the
second argument of the communion
ton? "All the cities of the Union have
butrecently finished their Water works,
and it is not too late for us to commence
ours ten years hence" Does itmean that
Norfolk enjoys such immense natural
advantages and enterprising citizens
that it can afford to give all the cities "a
ten years start and then beat them in
the race? Or does it mean, with kind
benevolence, to say to Petersburg and
Richmond, the "war has prevented
your advancing and improving; pre-
vious to then you had five years start
of us; we will wait and give you a ten
years start of us now?" Is that what
your correspondent means? l wonder,
and hope he will explain.
Mr.. G. S. neXtuttersa moan of fearN
for the deprecated city notes, that he
bought for little or nothing" If he
had read tt4articles that have already
appeared in Print lately on the Water
question, he could easily have under
stood that Water-works will not in any
way diminish the ability ofthe city to pay
these notes, bonds, etc., If they wish to.
1t would be impossible to give here a
repetition of the arguments. Mr.. G. s.,
is feIerfeu 10 the papers tuey nave dp-
peared in. The gentleman saves us the
trouble of answering his question,
"What is it to accomplish?" etc., by
replying to it himself; for he answers 1t
in the next sentence, where he gives US
to understand that ten years from now
he will give the measure his valuable
support. If the works will be benefit
ten years from now, they will be equally
beneficial to-day. Things equal to the
same thing, are equal to each other. II
the gentleman will give the measure his
support ten years from now, when, if at
all, his city totes, bought 81 for little OF
nothing" will be paid, he does not sup.
port the measure now because he would
rather not have the city improve in that
length of time, and have his notes paiG
dollar for dollar first.
This letter has already, fear, been
made too long, andwill occupy morespace
than you can spare in yourpape other
wise, should answer another question
Mr.. very "conlmon sense" asks /; and
also allude to the splendid prophecies he
makes. I shall answer the question,
though, very SOON and meanwhile,
leave our oracle to his meditations.
IMPROVEMENT.