Daily globe. [volume] (St. Paul, Minn.) 1878-1884, 1881-02-01

is 81 1923 $3.50.
THE WATER woRKs BILL.
The special order, the report of the legisla-
tive committee, as to the purchase of the
water works, being the bill providing for
commission to report upon the subject, and
for action thereon by the council and submis.
sion of the question of purchasing to the
people, was taken up for further consideration.
Mr.. Lee inquired when the option to buy the
water works expired, and on being informed IT
was 1891, he opposed taking any action until
that time. He said we had the right to appralse
them then and take them at what they are
worth and not at what they cost the com.
pany.
Mr. Murray said everyone understood that
the water supply was inadequate. The water
company was paying institution, but the
present company would make no extensions.
Mr. Oppenheim claimed that we could buy
the works at less figure by this commission
than by appraisal in 1891. We were paying
S11 900 for water for fire purposes, and the
tax on $S50,000 in bonds for the purchase
would be $1,000. so that We could not 60 far
astray.
Mr. McClung wanted to take more time to
consider the matter. He thought more light
was needed.
Mr.. Murray said that was exactly what the
bill pl divided a commission for. It was to in
purchase, the cost, etc.
Mr. Hodgson said the water works must be
more valuable to the city than to the company
because the city could make all property pay
its fair proportion of costs, and spoke OF the
contamination OF wells.
A member inquired as to the purity of Lake
Phalen.
Mr.. James Smith, Jr., said that an analysis
by the State board of health shows that Phal-
en- water is purer than any other in the State
except that of Lake Superior.
Mr. F. Willius advocated leaving out the
appropriation at the present time and using
the next two years to further investigate the
subject and perfect the bargain with the wa
ter company.
Mr.. Oppenheim thought the bill, In its final
submission of the matter to vote OF the peo-
pie, provided the necessary safeguard.
MI Murray said that in preparing this bill
he studied the water bills of nearly all other
cities of the country. All but two owned
their water works and fixed the water rates to
pay expenses and interest and redemption Of
bonds He thought the city, after extending
the mains, could furnish water to citizens at
so per cent. of the present rates. The COM
mission provided for by the bill is only to
make full inquiry and report upon the sub
iect before action is taken by the council and
people.
appoint the commission. II the commission
report in favor of the purchase and three
fourths of the council approve it, and finally,
the people indorse it, what more could be
asked?
The debate was participated in by Capt.
Berkey, Gen. Andrews and others.
On vote being taken the report of the leg
islative committee was adopted.
THE INSANE AND IMBEcILE.
Mr.. D. R. Noyes asked attention to the sub
ject of separating the insane and imbecile in
our State hospitals, by age and condition OF
their infrmities, and offered resolutions mem
orializing the legislature in favor OF an enact
ment embodying the recommendations OF the
superintendent Of the State asylum for pro-
viding outdoor farm life for patientss who are
not subject to acute insanity.
Mr. Wilson seconded the resolution and
spoke of the farm belonging to the insane asy-
lum as being sufficient for the purpose.
DR.. Day spoke of the extravaganza in build
ing and maintaining asylums and prisons, say
ing it is rule that as soon as man becomes
criminal or public charge he must have a
place to live in. 1t will be impossible, he said,
to maintain prisons and charities on such
scale as we have started upon.
The resolutions were unanimously adopted.
THE COURT HOUSE BILL.
Mr.. Hodgson inquired as to other bills
passed upon by the Legislative committee.
Mr. Murray stated that the court house
bill had been so amended as to provide for
submission of the question of issuing bonds to
the people in November, 1882, instead OF this
year, as at first proposed, and said the bill
will probably be submitted to the chamber
next Monday morning.
On m otion it was made the special order for
Monday next.
THE wORKHOCsE BILL.
Capt. Berkey suggested union OF st. Paul
and Minneapolis in building workhcusc. He
thought it would be large and expensive in.
titution, and moved a committee of confer
ence.
Mr.. Smith, Jr., suggested that the only
agreement which could be made be-
tween the two cities would be among the
criminals.
Mr Bell favored Capt. Berkey's idea, and
talked about uniting the two cities.
Mr.. Ingersoll had no faith in securing
present cooperation and was opposed to any
action which would delay the passage of the
bill.
Mr.. Murray said there would be provision
in the bill allowing other counties and cities
to send prisoners to the st. Paul workhouse at
one dollar week.
Mr.. Lee in correction of the idea that
workhouse would be an injury to surrounding
property, cited the example of the Detroit
workhouse which improves the suburb in
which it is situated. He favored locating the
house on Como park.
Capt. Berkey's motion was voted down and
the chamber adjourned.
No Choice.