Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1871-1872, 1871-08-25

The Davenport Gazette thus lamsnts over
its prospect of Water Works that 10 TO say,
over the seeming want of public spiri. in
the matter. Who would ever be- without
Water Works that ever knew the comfort of
having them?
Are we TO have no Water Works? This
inquiry comes up from every street. and al
most every house in Davenport. We cannot
answer II; but the delay in agreeing upon
terms with private parties-owipg mainly to
the generous sum demanded Of thu city an
nusily, and the nnwilhngness of the CIIy
Fathers TO submit to the exsction-looks
like failure in that quarter.
What then Shall we give it up? Is this
city, with it's twenty odd thousand people
to gasp on from year TO year, in dust and
dirt, exposed to tre-for want Of water, aud
IN pre- pared for pestilence because what We
have is not good This is the question pre-
scented for the decision Of the City Council,
the taxpayers and property owners, the
PEOPLE, whose lives and interests are at
stake. We think here shonld be one a1is wef:
WATER We MUST HAVE, WITHOUT DELAY
IF NOT BY A COMPANY, THEN BY THE CITY
Those who have favored giving q private
corporation the exclusive privilege of sup
plying the city with water, for twenty FIVE
years, have thought it would be the mos
desisable me,hod. But this is probably a
mistake. All the water furnished by q com
pAny must be paid for-no rig BIT on the part
of the city to use it at will-no privileges tC
citizens in dry time, unless named in the
bond That it would cost the people a,
much, and more, in taxation annually, i,
also evident. A private company must have
from SIS, 900 to 1000, as an annual grs-
lulty, 20 undertake the business That mus,
be raised by taxation. Then the water will
be measured out a. so much per gallon, be
sides. 1.-THE city owns the Works there vii
be more water and less annual tax upoI
the people. Of this we have no dosb.
To put in water works on the Holly plau
the only p!ao that will dispense with hr'
engines, and give Increased security sgains
6re-will cost about $500, 900. Will it pay
In Peoria the reduction in the cost OF IN
surance, since the Holly Works we're put in
il 40 per cent, or nearly one half. Tina
alone, in this city tcould about peg the a.,
terest on the phOte cost But that is not all
Every man insures one third OF his owl
} building, and the increased security on tina
is important, to say nothing of interruption
in business. avoided by exemption from fire
Then the present cost of the Fire Depart
ment will nearly, if not quite, defray the ex
pense of maintaining the works.
In al this We have said nothing abou
the advantage to property, in the incress
of its vslue, and the convenience TO citizens
of the ample supply of good water, nor tn
saving of time sod money now lost 10 haul
ing water during every dry period. Fo
,hese purposes alone the water would b,
worth It's cost, twice over, lesving out tn
insurance question altogether.
In view of these facts and considerations
ought the Council TO hesitate as to its duty
Shall they haggle longer, and let anothe
year 60 by, with nothing done? Most EN-
Phatically, speaking for the dust hegrimef
thirsty citizens, the psrched lawns and dirt
: streets. we say Noi Give us water, {
Council gipe as WATER And you
. petitioners, as in duty bound, will eve'
pray"