Northern tribune. [volume] (Cheboygan, Mich.) 1875-1885, 1881-02-26
NORTHERN TRIBUNE.
SATURDAY. FEBRUARY 26. 1881.
Water Works.

The Village Council, at its meeting
Tuesday night, passed resolution to
submit to the electors of the village, at
the election to be held March l4th, the
question as to whether or not the amount
necessary to construct the proposed
water work shall be raised by a loan.
The question therefore to be submitted
is, whether ChebOygan is to have water
works or not? Upon this question we
believe the result of the vote will be
largely in the Affirmative. That this
should be so, we think the careful con-
sideration of the question in all its bear
ings will lead all who have the welfare
of our village at heart to admit.
We think there can be no question
with any one in regard to the necessity
of more adequate fire protection. This
being the case the only thing to decide
is as TO which would be the best and
most economical. We think there is
not property holder who is willing to
trust to our present facilities. One hand
engine is not enough. More cannot be
added, from the fact that no efficient
company can be raised to man the pres
ent one. This leaves the question as to
a steam fire department or water
works, and we think there can be no
question but that the latter would
prove the best and most economical
from the start. A steam fire depart
ment adequate to the necessary prOtec
tiOn would cost nearly as much if not
more than the proposed water works.
The expense of running it would not be
less than from $4,000 to $4,000 per an
mum, if it was kept in state of eff
cheney. 1t is estimated that the running
of the water works would not cost more
than 5000 or $500 per annum. In this
case all can see at once that the saving
in the expense of running would alone
pay the interest upon the bonds. In adj
ditiOn to this there would be no income
from steam department, while from
water works, as soon as completed there
would be considerable income for the
use of water for domestic uses, and this
income would be constantly increasing
with the growth of the village. The
Cadillac water works cost Mr.. Green $12,-
900. He acknowledges net income of
$1,000 per annum. The citizens assured
the committee, from council, when they
visited that place that they were perfect
ly satisfied with the rate Mr.. Green fur
nished them water for, and spoke in the
high praise of the advantages of the
works and declared they would not do
without them. From this our citizens
can judge of the advantages of water
works and the income that would likely
be derived from such works in our own
village.
Another great saving to property
owners would be in the matter of insur-
ance. One of our prominent business
men informs us that he is now carrying
insurance that costs him 81 per cent or
$50, on $1,000. He says with water
works in the village it would not cost
him over per cent, saving of $25, on
every $1,000 of insurance carried. He
informs us that the rate of insurance in
Cadillac is from p per cent to per
cent and there is no reason why, if pro-
perty in ChebOygan was equally as well
protected, insurance should not be equal
ly as low here. From our Investigations
we believe we have, in considering this
subject, given a plain statement of facts
and consider that water works will af-
ford the best and most economical pro-
lection from fire of any system that
could be adopted.