The daily phoenix. [volume] (Columbia, S.C.) 1865-1878, 1870-09-06
Tho Water Works.

Ihc "hter NOrRB.
Mr.. EDITOR: If Captain Tradewell's
long and labored argument is the best
that can be mado in favor of the contract
between the City Council and Mr. Pearse,
then the defence is weak indeed.
In the first place, he carefully avoids
all notice of the principal objection to
that contract, viz: the extravagant sum
required and our inability to meet the
payments.
When an 0droit and experienced at
torney lodges the main question on any
issue, we may fairly infer that it is for n
good reason. In this case, we have
more than the inference that he could
not justify this contract in direct terms,
but has sought to do 30 in cirouitous
manner. The facts are, that the cost of
keeping up the Water Works does not
exceed $4,000 per annum. Yet the con-
tract proposes to pay Mr.. Pearse $1,000
per annum for twenty years. In other
words. the citizens of Columbia are to
0ice Mr.. Pearso 100000 in the next
twenty years, or to forfeit to him the
present Water Works.
Mr.. Mckenzie, Mr.. Glaze and Mr.
Committee on Water Works for the last
ten years, all testify that full and suf1i-
cient supply of water has been, and can
be, furnished for Sc, ,000a year, and they
apprehcnd no danger Of failure in either
the springs or the machinery since
tho engine was repaired in February
last. They wished to use water power
instead OF steam, because they expected
the former to cost less than the sum
above named. Mr.. Mckenzie stated, in
the Guardian, of the 9th ultimo, over
his own signature, that ga full supply
was thrown into the reservoir by using
the engino but three days in the week."
and that, 80 short time during the war,
our Water Works were kept up to their
full capacity, supplying population
estimated ut 10000, number OF facto-
ries, eighteen stationary engines, besides
aGovernment distillory and laboratory"
Yet Captain Il. shuts his eyes to these
notorious facts, and declares thnt 'all are
agreed Oh the necessity for IN increased
supply of water," that ''on this point
there exists no contrariety of opinion"
that ''cvery one knows that genel nj un-
easiness prevails Oh account OF the limit.
ed supply" and "that denial of this
fact would not be respectable. at tho
risk of his responsibility, tho writer of
this asserts his confident belief that II
majority Of our citizens and property
hold RS entertain no such fear, and are
opposed to the whole scheme, unless the
expense can be very much reduced
Now, is it the imperative duty Of the
Council to carry out contract binding
the people to pay so large sum, Wien
such difference of opinion is known to
exist among them on the subject, without
consulting them ?
But tho strangest of all Captain
Tradcweli's assertions is, that by this
contract 'no debt is incurred" I
am no lawyer, but I havo always un-
derstood that promise to pay for val
nable consideration is the acknowledge
ment OF debt, especially if it bc re-
dnced to writing, and the time of pay
ment specified, with heavylforfeiture in
case of default. But if this promise of
the Council creates no debt, where is the
calamity and disgrace Of resembling it,
Which he denounces MS an net of repudia-
ton, that would 'infict II wound upon
the best interests. character and good
faith Of the city, its Mayor and Alder
men, which no lapse of time could heal?"
And what has he to say of tho recent re-
solution of this same Council. refusing to
receive its past-due coupons in payment
of taxes? Is that not the reputation of
an honest debt, fairly contracted, with
the knowledge and authority of the citi-
zcns, and for which value was received
long ago? We have yet to learn that
Captain Il. opened his mouth against
this open act OF reputation.
And does he or the Council expect
creditors, whose claims have been due for
years, to stand by and see their demands
defeated by pledge Of its most valua-
bic property for new debt. unnccessa-
rily created, against the wishes of tax
payers, and beyond their means Of pay
ing?
There is but one certain way to
avert reputation, and that is to avoid
contracting debts without tho means of
meeting them. It is better to rescind
this agreement now, than by failing to
meet tho payments, to convey our Water
Works to MIR. Pearse. y. Y. Il.
The great fires in tho Canada woods
are said to be the most extensive conhag-
ratlons ever witnessed by those living in
the provinces. Seven miles were recent
y swept over near Toronto. wherein all
houses, barns. and moat of fba 1.-Two tool