Memphis daily appeal. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1847-1886, 1870-05-20

THERE is no charter as yet granting
TO any Air Works Company an ex-
elusive privilege to supply the citi-
zens of Memphis with air for thirty
years. We congratulate them on
their freedom from all such public
spirited and patriotic exertiOns and
favOrs on the part of individuals on
speculation seeking private advan-
tage. If a half dozen carpet-baggers
or paupers should get such a ''privi-
lege for thirty years" it might enable
hem to black-mail the public by a
sale of their franchise in the air sup
ply business, even if they had not the
means to erect the necessary works to
avail themselves of a "chRrter; !"
because air is rather indis-
pensible to the people, and
it is extremely difficult to get along
without it. Water is somewhat of
the same sort, and a thing it is COM
Portable to have as free as possible
with full and fair and unrestricted
competition for the supply. But a
company seems to be in existence
which claims the right TO exclude all
others from competition in reducing
the price of water.for public usei To
have water works in the city, which
will cheaper the price Of water to our
citizens to the utmost possible mimi
mum, has been regarded as a beside
ratum by all. 1t has been before our
city authorities and advocated and
urged by the press for a con-
siderable time. We have urged the
importance Of the works, and the
people haYe looked to the establish
ment with an interest approaching
anxiety On the subject. But they
have done so on the basis of an expec-
tatiOn Of the freest and cheapest pos
sible supply. They have expected
works TO be built by the city, and
water to be furnished by a tax on
property, which would make the cost
insignificant to the taxpayers, and
make water free, like the streets and
highways, to the poor. But, in the
event the city should be unable to fur
nish its own means and erect suit
able works, it was next expected
that the best bargain would be
mad with private individuals or COM
panies, under all the advantages
TO the city likely to be derived from
free competition. It was expected
the Mayor would advertise for bids,
and that the works would be let out
to the lowest and most reliable and
responsible bidder. This is what was
expected, and what was wanted, and
what was right to be done; without
the interference Of any carpet-bagger,
tax title monger, ShOccO Jones, Peter
or sharper whatsoever. This
LeftWich was authorized to do, {
but for some reason omitted. It was i
never contemplated by the people !
hat any q company whether Of :
capitalists or spectators on the Z
make" should be set up as a monopO- (
and be able to say to the public {
. you shall take water from our works {
1t our prices, or depend for a supply G
your " cisterns and drsys!" C
We did not bargain for such a state of v
and we had not dreamed that :
ne had in u midst any gentlemen f
If such large and liberal and philan- a
views a. would endeavor TO a
Orce US to enable them to make a n
pe~culation, or to drink and use their a
water, OF that Of their assignees, much L
r little, muddy or clear, as in a r
.'enefcence shocked only by the inter- D
Of their pockets they might a
ee at TO permit. When a il
.ropOsition was lately made to a
be city to purchase its maps and a
urveys for $4,000, we suspected q
ONE jealous individuals had il mind d
be necessity Of sacrificing themselves t.
u the country. And we accordingly n
lade some suggestions designed TO G
ave them sc great an act Of humanity a.
nd favor to the public, and proposed al
nat the action Of a previous Board az
Mould be carried out by a public adj Il
ertisement for bids, and the means III
ecessary to free competition. re
But a reference to the proceedings u
T the Board of Mayor and Council 90
Zen Of Wednesday reveals the start a
ng fact that the people of Memphis ed
ld the Board Of Mayor and Alder nj
.en are now at the feet of a COM m
any which sis nota monopolyu-oh. Iel
only a ring which can prevent an
'mpetitiOn Of all others for the SUD. Ia
y Of water to the city, and can keep mr.
70 cost Of water as nearly up to pres ee
Il rates, or the cost of supplying nj,
ellis and c~isterns, as it is possible tn !
without driving of consumers. ou
lille the city authorities and the r.
lzens have slept, this ring has gone TN
} to Nashville, and comes back erT
med with a eharter-a "grantu-t to
ID, III more was required, naoaey n
Is been invested on the 6aith of he m,
say these Hberal-minded n
~neiaceors, who deny a monopoly ba
d yet set up a charter for the mr. mi
sc OF securing to themselves the seh