The White Pine news. [volume] (Treasure City, Nev.) 1868-1906, 1870-07-07

4hE GlllLtNb WAFER PETITION.
A petition, very numerously signed.
was read. 1t prays the Board to rescind
their action of the previous meeting, de
clining to pay the White Pine Water
Company for supplying the city with
water for fire purposes; sets forth the I'M
safe condition of the city without such
protection; and concludes by suggesting
the passage of an ordinance leyying a
water tax for public purposes.
r. ID. Ferguson. Esq, at the request
of n number of the signers, asked and
was granted permission to present his
views upon the subject. He said he was
well aware of the financial stress under
which the city was laboring, and the Sc
rious responsibility which weighed on
the Board-on the one hand to preserve
the credit of the city from utter ruin by
rigid economy, and on the other, to leave
no administrative effort untried to add
to the security of the property of the
people and to preserve the general health
of the municipality. But he was also
aware that, under such circumstances.
men placed AT the head of public affairs
were apt to become im%prudently economi-
cal, OF rather parsimonious, and act on
the principle of penny-wise and pound
foolish The water company might be
considered as a souless corporation, and
oppressive to the people. But its body
was not here. 1t existsin San Francisco,
and is composed of men who give
nothing for nothing, and expect to make
interest on their investments. That is
their business, and the careful economy
and business sagaeity OF their agent here
h.. HI. R..I .rpla M
agent had assured the speaker that the
works had lost money; and the question
is, can we afford to let them cut off the
water? The speaker then drew a posi-
BILE picture Of the hopeless condition our
city would be placed in in the event of a
devastating fire; they would have no
credit upon which to rebuild; they would
become disheartened, and in a very short
time Hamilton would be depopulated.
These were contingencies to be carefully
and grayely considered. He also alluded
to the fact that the company had bought
up all the springs available for our sup
ply, aud having sole control of the ele-
ment indispensable to existence and pro-
lection, it is in their power to make it
pay or cut it off. Mr.. F. spoke at con-
siderable length, but the above is the
substance of his argument.
Mr.. Dayton moved that the petition be
referred TO a committee OF three, and
that they be authorized to confer with
the water agent on the subject. and re-
port nj the next meeting Of the Board.
Mr.. Ferguson suggested the rescind-
ing Of the previous action Of the Board,
so as to lay the matter open, and perhaps
satisfy the company until an under
standing was had.
Mr.. Woodruff failed to see the neces-
sity Of revising their former action. The
matter came up in a new phase, and the
Board could act on it as it was now pre-
scented.
Mr.. Dayton's motion was carried, and
the mover and Messrs. Coburn and
Davidson were placed on the committee.
Mr.. Eyerts said he had talked a good
deal with the heaviest taxpayers, and
they opposed an appropriation. The
fre-plugs belonged to the city he thought.
and were. therefore, not under the con-
troll of the company. He would be in
favor of appropriating some amount; but
to add the sum required to the amount
now TO be paid from the general fund
would be impossible, under our present
financial condition. He hoped the COM
mittee would give earnest attention to
the matter and carefully consult with the
citizens TO be affected before making
their report,
SPECIAL wArcuMAN.
Marshall Bryan was appointed special
watcbman, without remuneration from
the city. of Block No. NORTH of Hun
ter and west Of Main streets-at the re-
quest of a number of citizens.
THE CITY FISAScEs-PAssAaE OF nETRENcu-
MES ORDINANCES.
j. o. barrow, City Attorney, submitted
his report Of a conference had with the
bulk of the city creditors, representing
an aggregate of 500 900 of Indebtedness.
He reports that the latter agree that the
city may set aside so per cent. of the re-
ceipts from licenses, rent of hall and
fines; and 25 per cent. of the receipts
from taxes on real and personal property,
ns a Salary and Contingent Fund; and
they ask that salaries of officers and con-
tingent expenses be 30 reduced by the
Board that said fund shall pay the same,
and the further Issue of scrip be discon-
tlnued. except in extreme cases, until the
present debt shall be liquidated OF brought
within the statutory limits. The report
finds that the receipts from the three
first sources named will be about 81, 900
per month, which would give such fund
$500 per month. and estimating the in
coming ad valorem taxes at So, 000, 25
per cent. Of the same would add to the
fund $3.50 per month-making II total of
800 average revenue per month for the
coming year. The salaries now allowed
by officers amounts to 81. $50 per month.
Last year they were -, 050-and should
the reduction asked for by the creditors
be made-to $500 per month"; saving
Of 81, 500 per month or 5000 per n
mum would enure on salaries alone.
Mr.. barrow reported also three Ordi-
nances that would cover the proposed
changes, the blanks of which were filled
up and the bills passed.
The following is a schedule of the re-
auctions adopted: