Wheeling register. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1878-1935, 1880-09-20
TIE CITY WATER RENTS.

We confess to great disappointment
at the action OF the Second Branch OF
Council on Saturday night in adopting
anew the old, oppressive and extortion-
ate ordinance regulating water rents IN
this city.
We had hoped that this great burden
would have been lifted from the backs
of a large class Of u people who are
not able to besrit, and by which the city
is suffering in reputation and material
growth and prosperity.
The property ola municipality should
paw its taxes. That is the only just
and true principle OF municipal govern
ment. 1t is wrong and oppressive to
relieve property OF a just proportion OF
its tax by charging poor tenants and non
property holders with exorbitant rates
for such privileges as water, gas, etc.
The only object or necessity OF this
monstrous water rate is to reduce the
levy upon real estate. The non-prop.
ersy holders are compelled to bear the
burden which by every principle OF
equity should come from the property.
Not only this, but this enormous wa
ter rate is not warranted by the ex-
n OF the water works. The money
so ~extorted from the people is not APP
piled nor needed to III the water
works. One-hali OF it is expended on
the streets and in other ways Tor the
benefit and Improvement OF property
which pays no tax for water.
The revenue actually realized by the
city from this tax last year, amounted
to S45, 756 Al. No one supposes II no
one claims that this amount was neces'
sary. or that it WAS expended i'll run
ming the two mud machines which
pump swill from the Ohio river. Not
more than one.half OF it was applied or
expended.
Ii it is not so expended, ii is in the
nature OF a swindle on the people who
pay it in the treasury for such a pur-
pose.
We have heretofore maintained and
still maintain that this ordinance is
largely responsible for the high rate OF
mortality in the population OF this city.
1t is responsible for the unciean homes
where the children are reared in dirt
and disease, compelled to breathe the
emenations from poisonous sinks and
closets and from back yards that are
reeking with decaying oiial that is there
only because Of the enormous expense
Of obtaining water to wash it away.
Economy in water means filth; filth
means disease; and economy in water is
an absolute and enforced necessity I'M
der the extortionate rates OF the existing
ordinance.
While other cities are reducing these
rates to the minimum, and some are
discussing the propriety OF making
water Tree, as a sanitary measure, our
City Council enforcing rates which
not only pay for the water, but pay a
large proportion OF the public expense
in other directions.
This, we say, is wrong in principle; it
is wrong in its whole bearing and opera
tons; it is wrong and disastrous from q
sanitary standpoint; and it is fragrant
rs unjust to a large number OF citizens.
We are glad that some members OF the
city council appreciate these facts. We
hope there will be a sentiment in the
First Branch that will arrest the iniqui-
ty and not allow this ordinance to be
rushed through to stand for another
year.
There is no trouble about remodeling
the ordinance to be just in its terms
and at the same time answer all the
needs oil the city. Public sentiment de-
mands that the First Branch shall stand
between them and continuance Of this
oppression. The people demand relief
in the matter, and We hope they may
not be disappointed.
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