Ottumwa weekly courier. (Ottumwa, Wapello County, Iowa) 1872-1899, 1873-02-13

EplToRs CouHfrR Tho lat6 great |
fire which in so short q time utterly
destroyed Union Block has brought
again before the minds Of our citizens
the question of water works, and the
general opinion seems to be that we
ought to bave some efEcctnal means in
future of at least controlling fires, if
we cannot totally obviate them. This
can only be done by either largely IN
creasing our force Of fire engines
(eitller hand engines or steam), and BY
having quite number oflarge cistcrns
suitably located over the city. This is
the old style manner of dealing with
fires and in some places has been sue.
cessful one. The recent improvements
Of the "Holly Water Works Co." has,
however, brought change in the mat
ter of fire protection, this system do.
ing away with both steamers and els
terms, and wherever it has been adopt
ed, has proved, / believe, without q
single exception, a complete success.
The question arises if we must have
water works, shall it be the Holly sys-
tenn and how shall the matter be ac-
complished? About year since this
subject was closely canvasscd, num-
Der Of public meetings were held, the
matter discussed and finally brought
before the people for a vote, (for or
against,) and as all will doubtless re-
member, carried by largo majority.
The subject was then dropped, 40 the
council decided that the city could not
issue the necessary amount Of bonds to
enable chem to build tho projected
works. The cost would be largo. Re-
liable estimates placed the cost Of such
works as would be required for . city
such as Ottumwa at from $4,000 to
$4,000, the larger amount including
all the late improvements in machinery
and filters and substantial buildings.
The city not being able to issue the
amount of bonds necessary to build
such works as our protection from fire
demands, our only way to have the
works put in operation is to have cor
poration take the matter in hand and
put it through. A company could un-
doubtedly be formed with say capital
Of $4,000 to prosecute the undertake
ing. Uuder the present law the city is
allowed to issue in bonds for water
purposes, 4 per cent of the assessed
valuation for taxable purposes. Let
the city subscribe to the stock Of the
Water Works Company leither in the
name Of The city or by trustee) and
issue to the. Water Works Company
such an amount of bonds as the law
allows, in twenty year ten per cent
semi-annually bonds. Let the city take
in water rentals, an amount sufficient
to cancel the yearly interest. By pro-
viding a sinking fund, the necessary
Z u =
amount could be accumulating in the
City treasury to take up the outstand-
ing bonds at maturity, or as, fast as the
fund would redeem them, in case the
holders were willing to have them re-
deemed before maturity. The City be-
ing the owner of the stock of the
Water Works Company, would reap
the advantage of any dividend which
might be declared, and after the bond
ed Indebtedness was cancelled and the
water rental reverted to the company
their stock would become valuable to
the city, and could be sold should she
desire not TO remain the owner Of it,
and the proceeds applied to other pur.
poses. To secure good faith upon the
part Of the Water Works Company, q
sufficient bond shonld be taken to &c.
cure faithful performances on their
part in fulfilling their contracts. OF
course many details would have to be
arranged in perfecting charter and con.
tracts with thecompany.
In conclusion, every citizen OF OF
tumwa will, ! think, recognize the
fact that we are at the mercy Of every
fire that i'll luck or some other cause
may send to us, and some plan, either
Holly" "Artesian wells" OF more
fire engines and big cisterns ought to
be provided, and speedily a. That, 10
prevent a repetition OF our pcriodIeai
CONGREGATIONS.
Let us have more light OH this sub
ject, and prompt action on The part OF
our city authorities. Yours, ~
WATER WoAne.