Morning journal and courier., 1881-08-06
COMMUNICATIONS.

Is It Wise to Purchase the New Haven
 Waterw0rks To the Editor of the JOURNAL AND COURIER:
 This very important question is now fairly before the public, and we shall soon be called upon to decide it at the ballot box.
 Is it not possible that by creating addition al functions for the city government it's orig inal function will be neglected? As I un- derstand it, the sole duty of city government is to protect the people in their rights, not to abridge them. Those who are advocating the purchase of the waterworks will advance the idea that Board of Water Commis- sioners" in far preferable to 'Board of Water Directors" but how gross is the delu- sion. The common remark that public busi- ness is worse managed than all other business is not altogether unfounded. To-day we find it illustrated in the different departments of the city of New York. The endless com plaints of the management of the Croton Water Board, the street department, etc., are known to every intelligent reader, and the city gas works in Philadelphia is but another illustration of widespread corruption engendered by the city adopting the manu- lecture and sale of gas, and placing the pow CT of deecing the taxpayers in the hands ot political parties.
 Is it not fact that in assuming any office
 besides it's original one the city begins to lose the power of fulfilling that original one, that is, projecting the rights of it's citizens! But let an additional duty be assigned to It, and there will at once arise more or less schism Let us illustrate "Your taxes are heavier this year than last, complains tax payer to the collector; "How IS 1t 7! The large sums voted to pay for the waterworks, and the salaries that are necessary to manage it." replies the city official, whose office hours are from a. m. to 2 p. m. What have to do with h.these? You are not charging me with the cost of them, are you ?? Yes.. ! ssWhy, I never authorized you to do SO. " ! teTrue, but majority of the citizens voted | to purchase the waterworks, and authorized us to raise the funds necessary to fulfill this | trust" ftBut suppose I wish to use the wa ter in my well ?' aYou may do as you ! please but you must pay for the privilege | we offer, whether you avail yourself of it or | not.'' s.And what if I refuse ?'' ssWhy, we shall place lien on your property and event.
 ually sell it to pay the tax" replies the city official But I do not wish that done." ssVery well you must agree to our terms l whether you choose to avail yourself of them | or not, and pay your share of the new tax" :" Now this is diminishing our freedom and re- stricting our rights, and are our citizens will
  | said government was originally created to | suppress? To diminish our liberties by means of taxes or civil restraints more than
 is necessary to carry out the purposes of gov 1 erRment is wrong, because it is adverse to the original function of government. There are other modes too, in which this great addition of political machinery endan- gers the social stability. It is very expen- l sive system. The further it is carried the larger become the revenues required, and we l all know that heavy taxation is inseparable | from discontent. Moreover, it is in it's na-
 ture essentially despotic. In governing ey- 1 erything it unavoidably cramps men, and by l diminishing their liberty of action angers | them It gals by it's infinity of ordinances and restrictions, it offends by protesting to l help those whom it will not allow to help
 themselves, and it vexes by it's swarms of die
 tatorial officials, sacrificing personal rights to 1 political necessities.
 | To the above arguments add that the press throughout the country is continually
 ventilating the miananagement of the city
 water companies. There are many who have | had the pleasure of reading MT. Herbert nize the free quotations have made, and to
 those professional gentlemen who are advo- l eating the purchase of the works by the city I would recommend it's perusal, with the hope
 that the ideas of profound thinker may | ernment and instruct them in the great mis- l take of placing more power in city govern ments when the spirit and tendencies of the age are pointing the other way.
 l ssNoT STocKHoLDER."