National Republican. (Washington City (D.C.)) 1872-1888, 1879-08-04
THE WATER OPPRESSION.

Inc moro the water rates question is in
vcstigated the more it appears in the light
of an oppression, under the assumption and
exercise of n power unauthorized by law,
and which is made all the more grievous
for the reason that its ministntions are ar
rogant, tyranncal, and abusive of right. In
the first place, there is no doubt that the
changing Of the water rates now by heavy
advance is in derogation of law. That the
act is tynnnical, oppressive and unjustifi-
able is made apparent by the circumstances
of the case. 1t has been the custom hereto
fore to make ont bills for water rents and
send them to the residences of the water
takers, to advise them of the amount of
their Indebtedness, as we'll as the time
when the same must be paid. The Com
missioners have assumed to change this
custom by an arbitrary and tyrannical de-
mand that each water-taker shall visit the
Office of the Water Registrar, and, after
spending much needless time in waiting
therefor, shall pay the same before August
l. or their water supply will be turned off,
and they will be subjected not only to that in
convenience, but to an expense of two dollars
in each case to have it turned on again.
The time named by tho Commissioners in q
limited way has passed, and water-takers
are ut their mercy. No adequate notice has
been given to tho public Of this change of
policy, and up to Saturday night last but
comparatively small proportion of water
takers had obtained their bills and paid the
tax. Many are yet ignorant of the change,
and hence If, rs has been intimated, the
Commissioners will proceed to-day to enforce
the penalty of turning off the water dis.
tress will be sent broadcast throughout the
city by this arbitrary and cruel exercise of
power, under which families and business
places will be deprived OF this indispensable
article of health, comfort and convenience.
To make this all the more unendurable,
the city authorities have destroyed large
proportion of the public wells, and under
the pledge of full supply of Potomac wa
ter the people of Washington have dispensed
with cisterns. Those who have just been
made acquainted with the new requirements
of the Commissioners and have not been able
| 10 OBTAIN lHclr Dllio illu piiy tuc eAOTDltunt
rents imposed upon them, are now terror
stricken in view of the probability that u
tyrannical Board of Commissioners will en-
force the penalty and subject them to the loss
of water, which is indispensable TO life and
health, md the payment of an additional
sum when they are poorly able to meet the
exactions already imposed. What is more
strange, the Commissioners do not conde-
scend to communicate with the people as to
their purpose-whether they will show
mercy or proceed to eXtremities. God help
the delinquents if this arbitrary rule il
pushed TO logical sequences, and the Com
missioners will need help and protection
from the Indignation of an insulted, wronged
and oppressed people if they persstin theii
petty tyrannies and arrogant disregard of the
popular wish and interest in the exercise OF
powers which find no authority or justifica.
tion in law.
Under existing circumstances wise discre
tion will counsel these officials to call halt
or 90 very slow in pressing the people tC
the wall with increased expressions. il
would seem that public patience had beer
pushed to its utmost tension already. 4
little more strain may break it aud involve
consequences that should be ayerted II
turn the water from any dwelling under th,
circumstances may lead to occurrances to bt
regretted by every one.