Public ledger. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1865-1893, 1870-12-12
PUBLIC LEDGER.
THE WATER WORKS.

Works, ana commend III Tor Its goo
sense and the right position he has take
in favor of the whole people of Men
phis-a city that has not been so great
blessed before with an executive office
who stood so firmly by the interest {
our growing metropolis. Some ma
complain that this or that thing was no
done in accordance with his views in tn
discharge of the multiplicity of dutie
imposed on the Mayor since his inaugu
ration; but, all in all, Mr.. johnson ha
discharged the requirements of his offic'
with greater fidelity and ability than an.
one who was ever before elected to tn,
position he now holds. He takes deel
interest in everything that pertains Il
the welfare Of Memphis, and is ready Il
fight one, or many, who would think o
defrauding the people of their chartered
rights. A lively contest has sprung W
between the Mayor and Board of Com
mon Council on one side, and the Mem
phis Water Company on the other, as to
the privilege Of supplying the citizens OF
this place with that very necessary
commodity-water. The Mayor is in ia
vor of the city owning and controlling
this contemplated improvement the
water-works, and is opposed to the
private monopoly of this water com
pany, as he terms it. This com
pany, under charter passed by the
Legislature of the State, claims the ex-
elusive privilege to lay down pipes and
to extend acquiducts and conductors
through all or any of the streets, lanes
and alleys of the city, and to supply the
people thereof with water. We are una
bic to see wherein the Mayor attacks our
Representatives in the Legislature and
charges them with corruption, as one OF
our morning contemporaries has inti-
mated. Perhaps somebody is interested
in this private charter, and if so, that
will account for the zeal and
readiness with which Messrs. Cubbins,
Jones and Townsend are defended If
the Mayor makes charge he is apt to be
sustained, for he is one who would hardly
do such a thing unless hewas thoroughly
convinced that he was right, and had the
proof to sustain him in declaration so
grave. We publish portion of his
communication to the Committee on
Water Works that our readers may have
a clear idea of the position taken.
The Mayor says:
In my opinion the proper view Of this
water-works question for the General
Council is to regard it just as though no
charter had ever been granted by the
Legislature; and then, if, in their opinion,
the city is unable to build the works, or
that it is not desirable for the city to
build and own the works, but that it is
more desirable for the works 10 be built
and owned by private company, then
it would be the duty Of the General Coun-
ell TO negotiate with the company upon
the best terms that can be obtained for
the city; but il, on the other hand, the
Council should be of the opinion, as !
am, that the city is able to build the
works, and that it is more desirable, and
would be better, for the good of the city
and her citizens that the works should
be owned and controlled by the city in
the interest and for the benefit of the
city, then the Council should act deei-
dedly to that end The fact that certain
gentlemen went to Nashville, and in the
last and hurried days at the close Of the
session, did, without full considera-
ton Of the subject by il, obtain
from the Legislature charter. Civ
ing them the exclusive privilege for
Mirty years 10 furnish the city Of Mem
phis and its inhabitants with water, and
also to occupy any or all of the streets,
lanes OF alleys of the city, without the |
consent of the city, does not release us
from maturely considering the subject,
and is not, and should not be, sufficient
10 cause us to abandon the rights and in
terests Of the city entrusted to our keep
ing; the mere so is this the case when,
SO far ae know, or can learn, after dill
gent inquiry, the fact is that no citizen
Of Memphis, outside Of the parties inter
ested in getting the charter, knew any
thing of such an act being before the
Legislature; and / think it can be safely
said that, if it had been known, no one
who had any interest IN the city could
have been found to approve OF such
charter. For these reasons, had we no
Others. think il is our duty to decline
TO negotiate with the Water Company,
and to resist by every legal means the
fixing upon us of this private monopoly
40 control the arranging OF so necessary
an element 10 the city's prosperity as Is
a cheap and sufficient supply OF water.
Another reason why the city should
not accept the proposition OF TINS
Water Company is that by SO doing
she would absolutely surrender all con
troll over the streets, lanes and alleys OF
the city, so far as this company Is con-
cerned. and would be Poaceytess 10 protect
the citizens against imposition or extor-
ton upon them by the Water Company
in their charges for water supplied TO
the inhabitants. This will be seen by
examining proposition as snomlited
10 the General Council:
"3. That the city government shall
not in any manner interfere with tins
company, eifher IN the construction 81
is torks or IN fheprosecution 81 IL bus
iness Of supplying lcdfcr 10 the fnhdbi.
taHts Of me eig Of Memphis, as granted
by ~ charter.
In communication 10 a committee
OF the Council, under date Of Nay Il
1910, this is again repeated ~ still
stronger terms, viz.
- We ask that the authorities dis
finefly undertake TO abstain from al in
reference with u in the use Of the
streets and alleys for the laying Of the
pipes, and in the conduct0f our business
Of Supplying water 70 the inhabitants
90 long a. We do not violate our charter.
Nov, inasmuch as their charter al
tempts to take from the city the control
Of the streets and Alleys and a. the
COMPANY in their demands all he c;tv
aufhorines 10 distinctly Undertake "a sb-
stain from al interference with them In
-r,r,r - o. the streets and allevs can
rot FOR Q menepf suPPose that The city