Omaha daily bee., 1885-08-12
AT THE STATE CAPITAL.


Mayor Boyd, of Omaha, in which the
latter ntstes that Chester B. Davis, the
engineer who Is In Lincoln for the pur-
pose of occurring the work of surveying
system of sewerage, Is a competent man
and fully qualified for the work he de-
slres to undertake. In his letter to Mr..
Brock no does not deny that there are
defects in the o maha waterworks system,
as engineered by Davis, but he charges
the fault to the city coun-
Gil ot Omaha in not letting
Davis have his way. Any ono at all fa-
miliir with the water works at Omahs,
knows perfectly we'll that the company Is
private institution, al d that the works
we're constructed under the supervision
of Nathan Shelton, the manager, ana
that tho city council had no more to d.
with sny effective work than If they had
lived in Australia during their construc.
ton. Mayor Boyd, of Omaha, ought to
know this important fact. The water
works were accepted by the city couacil
after heir final completion, as they will
fall into The hands Of the city after twen-
ty-6ve years, but of their immediate con-
strucion the city had nothing to do.
Therefore MIR. Davis was free 10 act and
plan as hs wanted to. He did plan, as
heretofore stated In the BEE, with direct
loss to the water works company Of over
500, eco
Tho Lincoln city council has accepted
Mr.. Davis bid, presumably on the good
character given him by Mayor Boyd of
Omaha. The city council of Lincoln
will, in all human probability, find be-
fore they get through, that Mayor Boyd
of Omaha, is not SIN expert In sanitary
engine erlpg. The action Of the city
council here does not meet the approba-
tion Of the most prominent citlzons OF
Lincoln. The city Is just now throwing
off lis swaddling clothes tv assume met
ropollan garb Water works are already
In, end so far have proved auccess. but
sewerage Is more complex piece of en-
gIneering, and requires that the highest
intellise nee be used. In order to gain
aome IDEA of the feeling In the city, a
BEE reporter interviewed several proml-
nent ci,izsns.
Gen. Mcbride, the postmaster, thought
that the council had been too hanty In It's
action. Such matters require time to
consider before intelligent action can be
taken. Davis is unknown here. His
quaities have not been brought before
the people. The Hon. G. U Whsdon
thought it should first be learned whether
Davis ia q competent man for the work.
In his opinion this important fact had
not yet been sscertained. The action of
the city council was hurried and without
proper caution,
Hop. r. e. Moore, ex.mayor of Lin
coin, wss seen, but he had delicacy
abort expressing his sentiments for pri-
ya!e reaGons. He had very decided vieWH 8
in the matter, which hereafter he might
give publicity to. At present, as an ex-
mayor of tho city, hethought best not to
say anything. \. p. Quiok said Davis
should be made to give proper references
and sufiiclen. bond for the faithful per.
formaucs Of his work. There vas no use
in bsirg In such terrible hurry; the
city could afford to wait until the work
could be done satisfactorily and well. He
knew nothing about the man Davis or
his former reputation.
Judge o. P. Mason said 1t was bad
policy to so abroad and pick up tramp
when We have competent men at home
who would be glad to do the work. The
whole matter Is mistake. The man
who devlses sewerage schemo should be
here to supervise the work. The present
plan Is like paying for picture mule TO
plough corn field with. There is a job
in the matter somewhere, but just where
we cannot be told. IL msy develope
itself hereafter. The judge was very
pronounced In the matter, and he thinks
that preference should have been given
local engineers.
Another gentleman said that ID. j..
Whitman, very competent engineer of
st. Louls, had submitted plans for water-
works on a basis of 200 fer the work.
His services could havo bsen obtained
for the sewerage at far less price than
$4,000, and ss his reputation was well
known there would have bsenno question
as 10 the quality of hi, work. Another
gentleman who Rad heard something Ct
Davis former work and methods de-
nouncsd him openly and roundly. The
mayors action and that OF the city coun-
ell, is condemned on all sides. One gen.
tleman of prominence and integrity TOLD
the reporter that one of the city council.
men was there to make money; he had
openly declared that TO be his intention
even DeIOf6 MS eIoCIluH. ne lab Ut gu
an enthusiastic advocate OF Davis en-
ployment.
THE STATE FAIR.
M.t!ers at the fair grounds are pro-
crossing nicely, end long before the date
fixed for the opening everything win be
IN good order for the reception of visit
ors. At the B. II NJ. crossing switches
have been put in for the accommodation
of shippers and passengers to the
grounds. TIE main building, horticul-
tural hall, art hall, power hall and stock
stalls have been repaired and built anew,
so that ample room is provided for all.
The ampltheatre has been entirely re-
constructed and is 29kl92 feet, giving a
seating capsclty much larger than hereto.
fore. The otficsrs headquarters, for.
merly occupied as private yelling, has
been remcdeled to suit the gentlemen
having the fair in charge.
The cost of extra building is said to be
100000, and the money has all been
carefully expended. Besides those build
ings mentioned, many private structures
will bs put up. Ths Women's Christian
Temperance union, the Whitsbreast Coal
company, wind mill companies, and
other manufacturers will be represented.
A car lead of water pipe has been
Ia - ii Ill