The day book. [volume] (Norfolk, Va.) 1857-1867, 1866-08-25
Water.

The citizens of Norfolk can very well un-
derstand the oft-quoted lament eff the staneient
mariner" when he looked over the wide ex-
panse of water by which he was surrounded
and saw mot drop to drink"
Indeed, every summer has entaled the
most serious inconvenience upon our popula-
tlon and water, which should be publici
juVis, periodically becomes commodity of
marketable value That we are right in our
statement that this is a long-standng grev-
ance, is shown by the fact that as far back as
1856 this general want found expression in
the shape of an Act of Assembly incorpora-
ting the Norfolk City Water Company"
Zen years have passed, and each success
i've season has brought with it the same suffer-
ing, the same complaints, and left us precisely
in the condition we were before. The advan-
tages to arise from the introduction of water,
by attracting population, promoting health,
stimulating manufactures, and increasing the
public revenue, are too obvious to require
elaboration. We are aware, however that
our last statement may be called in question,
and in reply to those who may raise an object
ion to the scheme, upon the score OF poverty,
&c, we have this brief reply to make. Water
stock is proverbially the best in the world it
is never seen in the market for sale, let stocks
fluctuate as they may; and when Norfolk
offers her water-bonds to capitalists, we have
not the shadow of doubt that they will meet
ready sale. But, in the worst aspect of the
case, the credit Of the city, which is now un-
able to meet its liabilities, cannot suffer by
their rejection. We have everything to gain,
ard nothing to lose.
1t is no part, however, of our present in
tention to discuss these collateral questions
1t is unnecessary as we shall show in mo-
ment The decision of the matter can now
be obtained, beyond doubt, under the terms
of the act of Incorporation; and the issue ex-
listing between the Select and Common Coun-
ellis can be brought to an easy solution.
The fifth section of the act, reads as fol-
lows: 'Be it further ordained, that the city
of Norfolk may subscribe to the whole, or
any part of the capital stock Of this company
remaining unsubscribed-p that be-
fore the same is done by the Councils Of said
city, the question shall be submitted to the
legally qualified voters of the said city, ma
jority of whom voting at that time in favor
of said subscription shall be sufficient to att
thorize the same; and said Councils shall
thereupon make such subscription to the
amount authorized by said election
The act is imperative. 1t says the "sad
Councils SHALL &C." The contemplated
election has been held; and if the Select in
sists on its resolution of non-concnrrence in
the late action of the Common Council, then
we call on the latter body to sue out writ
of mandamus to compel compliance with
the law. But, if this should not be done,
any citizen agrieved by this course haa the
same remedy, and can resort to it. We trust
that this will not be necessary, and hope that
in Difference to the known wish of the commu-
nifty, the Select Council will abandon their
untenable position But be that as it may the
community now holds this matter in the hol-
low of its hand Will it raise water to it's
lips, or let it run through its fingers? The
people who buy it are the ones to answer.