The Douglas independent. [volume] (Roseburg, Or.) 187?-1885, 1879-07-12
aTHE WATER QUESTION ;

We again would refer 70 the advantages
to BE- derived from bringing supply Of
fresh water inio the city for FIRE and other
purposes to the citizens Of Roseburg It is
true that the repetition of an old song by
singer tires those who hear IL: bnt in this
matter the same song should be sung until
in self-dafence against the singer, the prop
erty holders built the water works in order
to have peace and quietaess on the part Of the
singer. The subject is one Of too much i'm
portance to pass over without full discussion;
il involves ths cleanliness of the city. the
convenience of tho citizens, and. what is
more important, the safety Of the town and
the protection OF its property holders.
As before stated the cost of the water
works will not be over 81. 200. to bring the
water into the heart of the city. and what
Is this amount in comparison TO the conse.
risks now run by our business men The
truth Is, fire started to-day in tile after
noon, when the usual yea breeze is blowing.
would destroy the town. and nearly every
house in it. We have no hooks aud ladders;
there Is but one we'll in tosn to each dozen
or half dozen houses; not fifty buckets could
be had at the starting point to prevent the
first FIRE from spreading, and the result
would bean end to Roseburg The ques-
tion, under such circumstances is, whether
it is best to expeni 81, 700 or lose more than
q million. Common sense would argue, IL
is better to give toward the enterprise mem
ticned the 81 200 in question than to even
sleep with the dread that overhangs all of
without moments warning ntter ruin.
Because Roseburg has never suffered from a
conhagration is no argument there viii not
be one. Because the city trustees have pass
cd certain ordinances to prevent FIRE. it Is
not to believe there i'll be no fire. All cit
les have their disastrous confagrations,
and at no time is any city safe; it comes
sooner or later. Remember the great fires
of London, the great fires Of New York, the
great fires Of San Francisco. They have all
I OOChAAOAs HGA0 nave DccA rs OladstrOus
fires in proportion in as many cities and
towns in Oregon, and the important fact in
this argument remains proven. that had the
facilities for extinguishing such fire, been
less the destruction wonld have been great
er. The two great ires of Portland. though
insignificant with those of London, New
York and San Francisco !, far as the ruin
created. beggared hundreds of people ant
caused for certain period general hard
times. To ths people of Roseburg general
fire in this city. comparing the difference in
population and buildings. would be far NOR,
ruiuous to us than were all to the grea
cities named; for hare all would suffer, and
there but small portion Of the populace--
here all would DO blotted ont, and ther,
much was left. With the city fires they oc
CURED with appliances with all modern i'm
provemsnts attached to prevent them from
occurring. If with all that wealth can do
fire in city does run 30 far at certain
times and to the length that many are ruinet
and al are pecuniarily affected, then wha
is there to be expected here where we hay'
nothing to retard the progress of a fire ant
everything ~ lose2
There need be no monopoly in this matter
With us it is suggestion having for it
aim the protection of all. Our idea is ther
) should be meeting Of the citizens held. tn
. subject b- properly discussed, and the step
! be taken for providing the city with Al
, abundance Of water for all purposes. Ca
) we not hear response from some o,he
aaurca