The Wheeling daily intelligencer. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1865-1903, 1880-11-08
rHE ANIMAL WATER TAXES.

sheetluk OI Iue NuuuutttNN Us
Works Saturday Night-The Usual
Leyies Made-A Talk with some Mem
beers Of the Committee In Regard 70 the
water works rs source Of city ReEs'
nue..
The Committee on Water Works met at
the City Building, Saturday evening, the
following members being present: MessrS.
Caldwell, Hall, Warehouse aud CrlssweIl.
The business disposed Of at the session
was the preparation OF the annual list OF
ppecial assessments In cases not reached by
Tie general ordinance-such as hotels,
manufactures, public institutions, barber
saloons, bath rooms, livery stables, ETC.,
and making the usual general assessment.
The rates Of the special assessment were
altered here and there to suit cases where
the use OF the ciy's water had been less.
sned or increased. The rates Of the gen.
eral assessment we're not changed; II was
decided by the committee without q
dissenting voice that the rates OF the gen.
eral water taxes should remain the same
as they had been last year-and indeed as
they have been for many years.
These rates, "a Is well known, aggregate
to the city a sum Of $50, 900 in round num-
bers, while only about one-halt oil the
same is required to pay the expenses OF
the concern. The surplus OF the fund thus
derived, over and above the sum necessary
to Cleiray the expenses OF the Water works,
is appropriated TO pay other city expenses
such as improvements to streets, alleys,
etc.
AS 1t has been argued in some quarters,
and especially by the Register, that this
manner OF raising an excess fund under
the name OF water rent IL Objectionable, q
reporter Of this paper has taken the pains
to obtain the views OF some members oil
the committee on the subject.
Hon. Alfred Caldwell, a member Of the
firm OF Caldwell & Caldwell, attorneys
WAS the bret man consulted:
"Have you read the Registers article
opposing your manner OF assessing watel
taxes?' asked the reporter.
NO" replied Mr, Caldwell, 81 have moi
seen it; but know what 1t Is; they have
had the same old complaint up before. Ii
is not q new thing. have heard Other
opposition 10 this question OF raising an
excess fund for the city by water rent"
"Now the Council has always refused t
make gas source OF revenue to the city
for the reason that it could not be don't
eouitably. The burden would fall uujustly
upon some citizens il that we're done. Blu
as to water-there is nothing the citizenl
consume that IL so cheap as water. Every
body uses it, and it Is really not taxi
, is simply a rent, or an article OF merchan'
dise-it has been 10 decided by the
Supreme Court.
"The water tax ordinance now in force,
continued MIR. Caldwell, sis the same thai
was in effect when the present Council
came into power, and am not in favor o.
changing il; neither is any member o.
i Council. We all think this the most just
and equitable way iu which revenue
that the city must have, can be raised. II
is true that there"is surplus OF about
S25, 900 derived from the water rents. AnC
this is all used by the years end for othel
purposes.
"Ihere is no better way Of raising this
amount. The charter Of the city o.
Wheeling limits city taxation to fifty cents
on the hundred dollars, aud Council
goes to this extent every year and hal
nothing left when the end comes, although
there are still things needful TO be done
that require money. Why not raise THU
revenue by water taxes when 1t falls or
both rich and poor equitAbly; and every
person derives some benefit from 1t. AnC
, then it reaches many that pay their jus
proportion who wonld otherwise contri
butte nothing whatever 10 the city OK
chequer.
"Asa primary question do not say
whether the ordinance is the exact thing
or not. But it came into the present
Councils hands this way and we are in Ia
Vor OF letting il stand. have heard some
members favor making gas source oil
revenue, but am opposed TO that.
Manufacturers, and all public institu'
tons derive inestimable benefits from the
Water Works; much greater In proportion
than the private citizen. We have lessen,
ed the special assessments on factories and
parties who have sunk wells, and thus de-
creased their draught on the city pipes,
trying TO make 1t just all around.
"For my part there is no tax ! pay that
pay as CheerIully as water tax. and !
think | pay my share. II We did not
raise the revenue In this manner
and think this is the best way pos
sible al the present time-we would have
to do it in some other way; 40 what ia
the use OF bowling"
care You not making some improve
ments in the water works this Year, in
Quired the reporter.
"Yes," rejoined Mr.. Caldwell, I'VE are
having a new pump put in which will In.
crease the pumping capacity one'half.
When completed, our pumping capacity
will be about 100000 gallons every
twenty.four hours"
The reporter also Conyeraed with Mr..
John Warehouse Of the committee.
Mr.. Waterhouso said: I'VE collected
water rents last year TO the amount oil
about $4,000; and the running expenses
were something over $4,000. am de.
Cidedly in favor Of obtaining revenue
from water tAxes to pay other legitimate
city expenditures, because by this
mode we reach 3 good many per.
sons who are not property holders, and
from whom we could not collect
taxes in any other way. We must have
the revenue and think this the most
just aud equitable way to obtain 1t. Every
person, whether property owner or not,
derives some benefit from the Water
Works. don't care what the papers say
about II. We are placing new pump in
the works, this year, at cost OF about
$4,000, which will double the pumping
capacity"
THE IAbT
JRmbOFRe Of the Campaign Saturday