The day book. [volume] (Norfolk, Va.) 1857-1867, 1865-09-20
LOCAL.

TaE WATER QUEsrroN.--It has been asked,
'sWill the Water Works pay?" II the city can
borrow the money to build the WORKS. no" can
she nav the interest and liquidate the principal
We will see. Since May, '62, the Government
has maid over two hundred thousand dollars ior
fresh water at this post but let us suppose that,
nm q peace footing she pays twenty-five thousand
l do1,ors nar annum for full supply for the Navy
Vord and all the ships that belong on or are lifted
ont on this station. Let us suppose that three
tbousand families in Norfolk and Portsmouth take
the water, at, say eight dollars per annum' anu
we have twenty -four thousand dollars, ana tnus
we find an income of forty -nine thousand dolarS'
without mentioning hotels, bar rooms, ana 'p0
npmarous manufactures that would spring up on
all Sides 1t is estimated that the works VIII cos'
five hundred thousand dollars; the lnteres' on
that amount would be thirty-hve tnousahu I'VE
hundred dollars, leaving, after paying the inter-
oct +birtoen thousand five hundred dollars 70
,,oa+ tho Incidental expenses of the works. In
7orv short while the city would begin to improve
nooi estate would enhance in value, population
I'D increase. manufactures would spring up,
and an increased demand for water would follow
this would increase the receipts OF the works
without materially increasing the incidental ex-
nenses. and in three or four years sinking fund
could be raised for the purpose of gradually iq~i-
dating the original cost of the works. Ial
The radical change lately made in the system
of labor, renders supply of water indispensably
necessary. Very many families are now perform
ing, for themselves, those domestic duties when
were formerly attended to by domestlcs. But
very few ladies or children like the idea OF bring
mo water. by the bucket-ful from an adjacent
pump. or a neighboring cistern; they, therefore,
want. and demand, that water be placed on their
lots even at a cost of ten dollars per annum,
they would have it, and esteem themselves most
fortunate in its possession The rates OF insurance
are too high, and property holders use that as one
of the arguments for high rents, but the introduce
tion of water would reduce the rate of insurance,
because it would increase the protection to pro-
perty g The capitalists complain that they cannot
engage in manufactures, because they cannot pro-
cure plentiful supply of fresh water for the pur-
nose introduce water, land manufactures Will
snrino up all around u.s. and the laboring classes
will find EMPLOYMENT Our citizens are complain
inc that business does not increase, and that our
population Is very HUE uoIS ~ "''"-A'J
wears ago introduce water and business Will IN
crease, population will increase, the city will ex-
tend her boundaries, and the raw material, which
now seeks market among the manufacturers OF
the North, will find market here, and the profits
arising from its fabrication will remain here to
enrich our people and build up our city.
We understand that our people will be called on
in a short while to vote whether they will have
water or motor rather, whether the city shall
build the water works or not-and we urge upon
them the importance of fully understanding the
question The future prosperity OF Norfolk Is IN
yolved in that vote, and we caution them, as they
love the old city, and desire her improvements, as
they value their own comfort and regard their
own future welfare, to vote right on the subject.
An opportunity is now offered by which the'clty,
without involving herself or her citizens, can take
one of the first and most important steps to future
greatness. Let the past be a warning Remem-
Der that 60 our doubts traitors, and make us
lose the good we oft might gain by fearing to at
tempt" and let all who regard themselves or their
families, all who value their property and desire
to see it improve, all who love the old Borough,
and want to see her among the first cities OF the
Union and all who want to increase their busl-
ness and rise with the improving fortunes OF Nor
folk vote for the water works.