The day book. [volume] (Norfolk, Va.) 1857-1867, 1866-09-07
The Great water question.

The Great Water Question.
A gentleman of prominence and OF wis
dom, has written, for publication in the Day
Book. the subioined communication, which
we most cheerfully spread before our readers.
The subject, it will be perceived is presented
in practical form, and the mode of supply
ing the city with water, one which is per-
fectly feasible Action in the premises is all
that is wanting to give us full supply for
workshops and factories, and for bath rooms
in every house, and, too, without embar-
RAISING the city finances. Let the work be
ensrgetically undertaken, and complete sue
cess will be the result. We welcome such
practical co-worker, in enforcing the views of
the Day Book:
MEssRs. EDITORS: Our good people seem
to be considerably agitated 'in this dry time"
upon the subject Of the introduction of water
into our city. All admit its manifold advan-
tages and its almost absolute necessity-all
agree that Norfolk can never set tout on the
high road to glory" nor fulfill her manifest
destiny" without the introduction of water.
The people have decided, by an overwhelming
majority at the ballot-box, that water must,
"and of right ought to be-" at once introduced.
But still very much doubt whether those
who voted for ii, had any well-conceived no.
tons as to how it was to be done; that is
how the money was to be raised; while those
who voted against it, believe, were really in
favor Of it, but they did not deem it expedi-
ent, in the present dilapidated condition of
our city finances, to even attempt it. They
urged that our city debt was enormous, and
our taxes equally So that our Bonds were
selling at about one-half their par value, and
that further issue would cause them to fall
far below even that Ggure-so much SO, that
no one could estimate how much cur debt
would be increased in raising the amount ne
cessary to complete the proposed water
works. 1t fact, it would be almost imposs-
BILE to negotiate the bonds at any price; and,
if negotiated, the city would be saddled with
debt she could never pay, and that repudia-
ton would surely follow, And, Messrs. Ed-
tors, there is much truth and good sense in
these objections; but, nevertheless sirs, be-
lieve the enterprise perfectly feasible, and
that it can be accomplished without, in reali
ty, increasing our city debt or our taxes and
in this wise:
LIST. Let our City Councils provide, by
ordinance, that the water rent or tax shall be
lien upon all the real estate fronting upon
the streets wherein water is introduced, at
fixed rate per front foot, collectable by sum-
mary process. Of course, hotels, machine
shops, and steam works, to pay higher rate
than resid nee property
End. Let the Councils further provide, by
ordinance, that the income derived from the
water rent or tax shall be appropriated ex-
clusively to the payment of, LIST. the current
expenses of the works; End. the interest upon
the bonds issued for the, construction of the
works; and the balance to be set aside and
kept inviolable as sinking fund, with which
to redeem the bonds at maturity Let bonds
be issuedby the city for the construction Of
these works, to be styled "water bonds" and
running, say twenty years, and bearing rate
of interest, say at Z or per centum per an
mum, payable, principal and interest only,
from the income derived from the water rent
or tax. Bonds Of this character can be nego-
tiated at very near, if not quite, their par
value, no matter what our city debt may be,
or they may be paid directly to the contract
or, from time to time, as the work progresses
There are competent and responsible parties
at the North, who will contract to build our
wster works at fair price, and take our
bonds, Of the character above described, at
very near their par value. This plan isthere-
fore perfectly feasible. The city debt will
not thereby, in reality be increased one dol
lar; for nothing but the increase derived from
the water rent or tax will be liable for the
payment of these bonds, principal and inter-
est. Our taxes proper will not be increased
mill I
The water rent or tax will only be collected
from the owners of real estate fronting upon
the streets wherein the water is introduced.
1t may perhaps be called tax upon the own
srs of such real estate, but the increased value
Of such real estate caused by the introduction
of water, will more than pay thu water tax
q hundred fold Besides, will not every
landlord insert clause in his leases, binding
his tenants to pay this water tax, in addition
to the regular and ordinary rent, and will not
every tenant, gladly pay 10 or even 20 cents
per front foot Of the lot he leases each year,
for the almost inestimable privilege of al
ways having an abundant supply OF good
water in his house, convenient at any and all
times Let those people, and their name is
legion, who are now, and have been for some
time past, paying from 2 to rs cents pei
bucket for water, answer this question, l say
therefore, Messrs Editors, that our Water
Works can be speedily built, and without in re-
aity increasing our city debtor our taxes. Th'
plan above suggested, with perhaps, som'
shght exceptions, has been carried into sue
eessiul operation in many of the cities at thu
North. There is no reason why it cannot b.
uone here. flour City charter, and the char
Ter ct the Water Company, do not confe
sumeient authority upon our City Councils tt
no TINS work let us at once asc ertain that fact
ana then remedy the defect by proper legis
'ation at the earliest moment possible. I,
PROGRESS.