The Dallas daily herald. [volume] (Dallas, Tex.) 1873-1887, 1881-08-13
MUNICIPAL QUESTIONS.


A communication in yesterday mornings
issae over the signature "P Conniyer," on
no present water and GAS troubles, needs
out small space for reply, as there is not a
'iDgle argument in the entire article. There
ie some assertions in it, aud nearly all these
4re simply thereiteratons of whathss already
become stale for the saying. In the matter of
he press bein; subsidized, we know of and
suspect not ono that has ever been APP
preached on tho subject for any
such purposes. While We appreciate the
compli nent paid to this journal, yet the
HERALD reputation has long since been
made as fixed as adsmant on that subject, as
it is known that $1,000 per line, or any
other sum cannot purchase its columns or
its influence; II being run entirely and ex-
cusively in the interest of Justice,
fairness, and right, 80 lar as it understands
tho true meaning ofthese terms and virtues.
Under obligation TO no one, it not only can
afford thus to run, but it is its duty 30 to do.
So much for that matter; now the real matter
in hand. Our correspondent says; I'VE
know that whole cities were lighted before
,as was invented" (Gas was never invented,
10 means manufactured J Why, certsinly,
but does that argue that Dallas, taking new
departure toward an old direction, must do
without gas? We know Of whole cities that
never knew what a railroad or telegraph
was, yet that is 70 ergo why they should
gain betske themselves to the torch light,
the oxcart or the copperas breeches. If
"Conniver" lketh these things,tho pampas of
South America will afford him the desiderata
to his hearts content. There where the sloth
lndeth his lazy home and "the whsng
doodle mourneth for its first born" no may
revel in undisturbed repose without any OF
the comforts, conveniences or elegsncies of
modern life. "But," says he, Two read of
new, improved and cheaper methods of IL,
Eliminating cities than by gas" Yes, we
read of many things nowadays, anything
from new baby toy to q newly ''revised
edition." improved and cheapehed. We
knew of party once called the "greenback
party" which purported to be ga new, cheap
and improved method of making money out
of paper" 1t was "a now way to pay old
debt" and had about as much solid foundation
TO it as "Alsddin's new way to clean up old
lamps" aud pictured to its devotees palaces
OF gorgeousness about as unreal. We do
not wish to DO cruel, but doesn't "Conniverh
recollect ii? BY little furnishing up like
tho aforesaid lamp, it converted "a national
debt into national blessDg"I If"Conniver'
indeed knows of such much improved End
cheaper method of illuminating cities, his
revelation will make him richer than that
same Aladdin. The city gas company will
pay him handsomely for his contribution TO
the science progress of the day, and
alongside of bis remarkable discovery
Mr.. Edison's batteries will "pale their inet'
fectual fires. Yea, the great wizard of
Menlo Park will himself bow Mt his feet and
do him honor for that which even himself
has not to this day been enabled to perfect.
In this wise he can outstep even "a newspa-
per that by always being on the wrong side
is yet growing richer aud richer" and per-
haps he can add still further to the volume of
his rosl estate by taking counsel Of the sugS
gester of tho above lsconiam. "But,"
proceeds our correspondent, "if the city can
build better works for $l25.00O, at an annual
cost on its bonds of $500, and 80 furnish
the city at much less expense than the pres
ent company, it is the duty of the city gov
eminent to construct them" Where is the
proof of this duty so clear 10 him? lie does
not indulge in single argument by CONS
psrstve figures or otherwise, and he dared
not do it. The fact is, the Water Supply
company offers to furnish, for $1,000, the
water the city may annually need, to the
extent TO which this section of the country
will produce il. The annual profits
of tho company are but $4,000, without
any compositions; the oity's profit with COM
petition, would DO eaten up by tho expenses
necessary for their works, thus leaving ST.
500 annually to DO paid by 1t, as against the
$4,000 proilered charge. And 1t may ne
well here and Ut once be assumed, that "esti-
mated" costs and "actuS" costs for all such
works arc very different things. AS for
"individuals whining like spoiled children
because they are not specially protected
from the public against loes," there is no
ono whining that We wot Of There DO most
enterprising, well.to 90, liberal gentlemen con-
nected with those companies, who, wherever
any subscription committees are out seeking
for funds 10 secure an important enterprise
that no individual will undertake, or TO help
along u little one, who are invariably appeal
cd to and as often respond; but who cannot
feel much encouragement 10 do much more
in the patriotic business under such recent
very illibersl and inconsiderste. not 10 say
unjust treatment, which has Of late charac'
terized tho wonderfully short-sightod policy
Of some Of the city council. As for the very
inelegant manner, and which TO
our correspondent seems 50 congenis,
n, Ia oleased 10 allude as follows: