Lexington weekly intelligencer. (Lexington, Mo.) 1871-1887, 1886-02-20
THE WATERWORKS.


TO the company for coming to their res
cue ON two occasions when the city was
threatened by fire; the water service
is desired by a large majority of our
citizens; the agitation of this matter
detracts from the attention demanded
by other interests of the city. we
should be very much pleased therefore.
could the differences between the city
and the company be arbitrated by a
Joint committee or otherwise.
But we are free to say that we see
cry little prospect of any such settle
ment. With Mr.. McCausland we de-
voted the whole day, Monday, to try
ing to bring about an amicable adjust
ment, but with sparse results. We
feel as thankful to the water company
for what it did at the fire as anyone;
We are friendly to the company, and
we are very willing that concessions
shall be made by the city provided no
future rights are jeopardized. In the
settlement Of this question judicial
fairness must govern, whether it is
settled in Or out of court. Sentiment
cannot be permitted 10 enter in and
dictate to be done what would after
ward prove to be a wrong. We have
been free to criticize the council at all
times, but in their determination not
to receive the works in their present
incomplete condition that body has
only discharged its plain duty to the
people.
The city and the company, through
their attorneys, are skirmishing for po-
sition. On the one hand the city claims
that for various reasons the company
has forfeited its contract. Recognize
ing certain obligations to the company
the city says, "While this is true, if
you will complete your reservoirs,
make plain certain provisions in the
contract, according to your own inter-
probation of their real meaning, and
harmonic the contract Herewith in
some minor details, we will waive cer-
tain objections which we still have and
accept the works." To this the Water
Company replies, "We positively re-
fuse to amend the contract. 1t must
stand as it is. II we amend it this time,
| there will be constant demands for its
amendment. We will agree to pave
the reservoirs, but WI will not change
the contract" Evidently there seems
to be little chance for compromise here.
The water company thinks the city
| asks it to make all the concessions. The
| city thinks the completion of the reser-
| voirs no concession at all; and that a
mere change of verbiage to make the
contract plainly say what the Water
| Company itself holds it intends and
means is no great concession. Beside,
it thinks it is m~akingivery considerable
concession to accept the works eve
then while the pipes are developing so
many leaks.
Without entering into details, which
are well understood by both sides, OF
ought to be by this time 1--WE think we
have fairly placed the combattants in
position opposite each other. Botf
seem a little pugnaclous, with the de
| sire for a compromise and settlement
more manifest upon the part OF the city
than upon the part of the company.
Whatever advice may be given to
the water company from a legal stand
point we venture to give it some from
a business point of view. However
innocent the persons at present mos
interested in the waterwoIks may bt
in the premises, they must remember
that the building of their works ha:
been attended by one failure after an
other-first the well, then the tower
next the mains. which are prObabl.
more leaky even than they are awar,
of; and that Our streets have been very
greatly damaged by careless re-tillins
Of bitches. Beside which the work
were not finished by contract time IAN,
finally were rendered to the city in al
unfinished condition. We do not be
lieve any court will declare the con
tract to be void by reason of the tim
alone; and we do not believe Il PEG
pie will be willing to ask for a reduc
ton in the rental agreed upon, so lou;
as they think the company means t.
do right. We hope it does; we hav
80 far gone upon the hypothesis tina
it did. What the city nov asks seem
to us fair. Not a dollar is desired t
be taken from the company; not a
imrediment placed in its way. Th
company says the eleventh section G
the ordinance does not can that tn
city must pay the trustee of the bono
holders in case the works pass int
their hands, whether the service is rel
dered or not. A large majority of on
bar says that it does. The compan
says it desires pay only when servic
is rendered. Very good, then, VIII
not say so in unmistakable terms?
the company shrinks from doing tn
it will place itself in the attitude
having intentions different from thos
which it avows. Why? Because it ha
already sold its bonds? That is not
good reason. The bondholders wi
have far better security for their i
vestment before than during and afte
a law suit, the end of which no ms
can foretell, and there is always Il
possibility of an adverse decision IN tot
e in which case the rental would have
e be readjusted. Our advice to Il
water company is to meet the council
e proposition of a committee of cOnfe
ence; to agree to line the reservoi
d with brick, and to amend the contra
SO that it shall plainly provide that it
only to receive pay for services rcnde
y ed. Lawyers may advise d%ifferentl
IT. but our word for it Messrs. AbendroI
d. e Root will find this plan the easie;
u the smoothest and the most profitab
y 1t is the plan we advised before t
le tender of the works. 1t is the best o
now as it was then.
VT- >.a ~r - Hok oa~