Morning journal and courier., 1881-10-31
9oarnal allo Courier. i.
Monday Morning, Oct. 31. 1881.
A SIMPLE QUESTION,

|
 The discussion of the Water question has
 flood of words, persistent raisstatement and
 unwarranted attacks upon those who do not agree with them were all that is needed to
 make their cause prevail the active workers
 for the purchase could sit down content and
 take and give rest from their labors But
 after all they have said and done they have
 not succeeded in establishing their case,
 though they have pretty effectually harassed
 their fellow citizens with their ''catechisms, 9
 their "woodchucks" and other inventions and l discoveries
 We again remind our readers that notglth-
 standing all that has been done to compli
 cate and obscure it the Water question is a
 very simple one. The theory of those who
 favor the purchase is that it is better for a
 city to town and contror' its waterworks We.have hitherto pointed out that the prin- clple from which this theory springs would give municipal governments the ownership
 and control of anything necessary or 1 thought to be necessary to the health and comfort of the people. Those of our readers who believe that there is no danger in extend
 ing the powers of our city government can,
 of course, cheerfully vote to make Water department at the City Hall. They may be sure that in so voting they will make glad the hearts of not few who have al- ready fixed longing eyes upon an office in that department. But if they can explain how the application of their theory Is to benefit the people of New Haven, when offa k1
 sumers certain of fair treatment, they will do well. The theory, if it is sound one, should be directed against dangerous and oppressive monopolies. If the offer of the
 Water company is accepted by the city it can never oppress the people, and it will al- ways be controlled by the people. What more will be gained by running the city into debt to buy the works for the sake of testing theory?
 If the city buys will water consumers get their water cheaper, and will their taxes be lessened, or; at least, not increased For answer to this we point to the experience of other cities. This experience teaches that higher water rates and increased taxes are certain to follow the purchase. There is much pleasant talk and many ingenious cal culations concerning the amount of money New Haveners will save if they conclude to pay $2,oOo,oO or $3, 900, 900 for waterworks and improvements to starts with and have faith in the future. Such talk and such cal culations appear whenever any scheme for the public benefit" is on foot. Our readers know all about this. They also know how different the reality generally is from the pleasing promises made. The people of New Haven have had several lessons of this kind If they are anxious for another let them vote to buy the waterworks
 These two things should be borne in mind by the voters of this city If the offer of the Water company is accepted, it can never oppress water consumers. If the water | works are bought, there is no guarantee that 1 water consumers will not be oppressed by high water rates and extra taxes, and the ex- 1 perience of other cities teaches that they will 1 ha