The Evansville journal. [volume] (Evansville, Ind.) 1866-1870, 1870-03-26

Water M~OFhS-EGEkg 6pAEAf.
It must be very annoying, ven to
Democrats, to have their paper con-
t~inually laboring to make party CAPT
tai out Of every movement inaugu-
rated for the benefit of the city.
Nothing can be suggested that the
Comieridoes not attempt TO press into
the service of the Democratic party.
We know that this is disgusting to
some Of the most prominent Demo-
Gratis in the city, for they have repeat
edIy told us O The question Of wa
ter works has been revived. A com
mittee of gentleman, from both par
ties, have examined into the matter,
discussed it at some length, and finally
agreed upon a plan. The Courier
thinks it has discovered a rare chance
to make a vote, and hence the follow
ing which we clip from that paper Of
yesterday:
IF the Radicals succeed IN getting
a majority of the next council, they
propose to tax the people to build a
water works. They want the city to
take two-ifths of the stock and let
the bankers and bond spectators
have the other three-ffths. This
would give the private stoekhold-
ers the controlling stock, and as
soc as the work has so far ex-
tended as to make it a paying in
stitution, they would have the Rad
ical Council sell the city stock at 10
or Is cents on the dollar, and the
Radical pets of the Council would
get it all. Thus the people would
be taxed to build the works, and
| then present it to q set of men who
would never let a poor man wash his
face without paying for the water.
Divide the stock the other way, and
let the city have the controlling
amount of stock, and the thing would
not be so Objectionable. The city is
amply able and ought to take all the
stock, and then make the water as
free as possible for the use OF the
people. The city herself will be a
large consumer, aud we don't propose
that the people be taxed to pay these
stockholders. The people shout
elect a Democratic council, and let
them build the water works and run
it for tho benefit Of the people who
pay for it.
The Courier imagines that its read
ers don't remember from one day to
another what appears in that paper.
The above is a case in point. Turn
ing to the Courier Of Thursday we
find the following account Of the
Water Works Meeting:
DIR. NJ. j. Bray then proposed that
the committee recommend the build
ing of Water Works, aud that the
city take stock to the amount Of $780,
600, which vas thought to be sufh-
cient to construct the works.
To this proposition MIR. John A,
Reitz offered an amendment to the
effect that a company be organized
with q capital stock of $180,000, and
that the city take two ffths of the
stock, and citizens the balance. 1t
was understood that if $4,000 was
not sufficient to build the works, the
city should increase its subscription
pro rata with the cost.
Messrs. Bray and Reitz are not
elassed among the so-ealled Radicals.
To the best of our information neither
Of them are running on the Radical
ticket for Councilman. They are
both enterprising and public spirited
citizens, who regard the wants of the
city, and are always prompt to lend a
helping hand.
Some weeks ago, long before the
Courier discovered that there was any
party capital to be made out of the
construction of Water Works, the
JOURNAL advocated the construction
of the Works by the city. Yet while
doing SO, we were aware Of the disad-
Yantages connected with the adoption
of that plan.
But this question we will discuss
more at length at some other time.
We will only state here that if the
taxpayers think they can stand an
increase Of their taxes equal to double
t0hat they noa0 pay, we will be in ia
vor Of the city building the Water
Works. Unless they will consent to
such increase Of taxation, it is physi-
cally impossible for the city to build
the Water Works, and meet the debts
it has already contracted. The ques-
ton, therefore, of the city's ability to
construct the Water Works, depends
solely upon the willingness of tax
payers to double the amount of their
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