The San Antonio light. (San Antonio, Tex.) 1883-1886, 1884-03-15
SEWERAGE.
MR.. SEMUNGER'S QUESTIONS ON THE
SUBJECT ANSWERED.



along with the editors blessings, for
letting "Nero" loose on you, and you
can better imagine than l can describe
the disordered state of my house since
that night you jumped the shakley fence
of the doctors laboratory and tackled
their "honesty" and "erudition" on the
sewerage question. You might well
have known that such shackley fence
had something good behind 1t and what
could have been better than old "Nero"
true and faithful, and judging from the
essense of your epistle "Nero" has left
lasting impression on you.
Now, Henry, you must come down a
peg, and remember there is many poor
fellow that would like a days work in
putting down the sewerage pipes; be-
sides their comfort and cleanliness; every
one Is not so comfortably situated as you
are--quill driving under Uncle Sans
umbrella. The white hair that hangs
over your brows tells the frosts of many
winters. You have reacheh an age that
you ought to be able to discriminate
definitely the difference between pro-
gress and mossbackism and Its beneficial
effects on mankind. And when your
"bosses" have granted $500, 900 to give us
a first-class postoflice, don't you think
we ought to follow suit with our mite in
order to keep up the boom?
Now, Henry, you say you don't like
my name; you say II has nearly scared
you to death! 1t looks to me you are
more interested in the name than the
subject. Not wishing to lay foul hands
on yourself, will accommodate you so
far 70 al 20
sign this article. You know at this i'm
portant time so near the election might
loose some votes. But remember Henry
one thing, "but keep quit" and vote for
sewerage, because If | am elected "Mayor
of San Antonio" you are sure of good
office. Pay no attention to your big
neighbor, "Him that drives nails" /
think you can manage your own affairs,
and you are sure he will not be elected
to office. Therefore you know bird In
the hand is worth two in the bush. Now
Henry again caution you. The Gov
eminent don't like people that keep
dirty back yard; look out for that squint-
eyed fellow, you know who / mean.
How is it Henry you don't contradict
one thing that Nero said, and judging by
your silence Nero answered your many
questions correct, but must confess
you are Yankee, and a confirmed one.
lions, you know the old adage; fool can
ask questions, but it takes wise man to
answer them.
- don't wish to set myself down as a
wiseacre by answering your questions.
l am neither doctor, nor an engineer,
but like the rest of mankind, when
want suit Of clothes l go to tailor,
and when want pair Of shoes 1 go to
shoemaker; don't you do the sameg Did
you ever tell tailor or shoemaker that
you know more about the business than
he did himself? If you did, how often
have you had the last thrown at you ?
Well, then, suppose you were to tell
Major HUMPHREYS that he don't know
what he is about, what opinion do you
think that gentleman would form Of
you? Now, turn the wheel and throw
the shade on the other side; suppose
"Nero" was to come up to your office
and tell you that he knew your business
better than you didp Don't you see 1t
We are compelled to trust something.
/ This is what seems to stick in your
throat. Remember the old adage: ''Evil
doors are evil thinkers" Our City
Council, for once in their lives, have
taken the proper course to have our
sewerage system perfect, and, complete,
by sending for gentleman, that has
already established reputation beyond
a doubt for sewerage. Now what would
be the use in sending for an expert engi-
neer if we knew better than him. l
never thought of 1t; perhaps you want
the job, Ifyou do, why don't you show
your colors.
In your first question you are debating
to Major HUMPHREYS, by telling him to
make a three foot sewer. Now how Is
this. In your first, you complain there
would not be enough of water left In the
river to take away the dead rats. You
see, Major HUMPHREYS Is more generous
than you are, because he only wants to
put in smaller pipes according to the
Warning system, that superceeds all
others. He will only take small guam
tity, whereas, you want to take 1t all.
Now you ask about the material the
pipes will be made of. There will be
variety of materials used, according to
the pressure required, and i, for one,
am willing to leave that to the Major,
which would have to be so, If he assumes
the responsibility.
which is very natural. L hope l have
answered your question No. to your
satisfaction. Question No. 2: How far
will the $3.50, 900 reach In the oonstruc-
ton of sewers? He guarantees it will
cover our present demands, and as our
city grows larger, the sewers will be
added In proportion as we require them.
No. 8: We will put in no more than we
at present require, and that will be paid
for after you and are lying on the hill
under the sod. But don't you forget it, If
properly managed, the city win never
require to pay one cent of 1t. 1t will pay
principal and interest three times before
the 30 years expire. But you are In the
next point like you are In the others.
You have no faith in your neighbor.
You must be misanthrope, and a con-
formed one. The principal is general tax
alton; therefore it will be in proportion to
what you own, and whenever the city
requires to add to the sewers, 1t will be
let to the lowest bidder, rs In the present
case, everything else satisfactory of
course. No. Al: What is the city going
to do If prevented from emptying into
the river2 As l have said before,
1t will never be emptied into the
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