Smyrna times., 1886-04-07
Cheek-and Plenty of it.

ord who claims the credit Of bringing |
about every improvement that has |
taken place in Smyrna in the past sew
eral years that he should likewise take |
the entire credit, or as he terms it the |
"Glory of the Water Works" to him
self. 1t is like his modesty to do so,
but his bad memory overlooked the
fact and he thought other people had
also, that only year ago, the issue of
February 2lst, 1885, he wrote most dis
couragingly of Water Works when
there was a temporary squirt of opposi-
ton against erecting them, and Topped
over on the other side only several
weeks later, when he found the current
of public opinion was setting strongly
in favor Of the Water Works. We
quote without comment what this
would be Father" Ofthe Water Works
had to say when he thought the oppo-
sers of the Water Works were the
stronger.
WATER WORKS.
The topic Of conversation in Smyrna now
is almost wholly pentared upon the pro-
posed water works. 1t is very properly be-
ing discussed by nearly every one, and the
different views taken upon the proposed
manner of obtaining water supply is le-
gion, Upon one thing every one is united,
and that is that the town should have
water to use in case of fire. a Record re-
| porter has been among tho people asking
| their views upon the subject and to u man
| they are in favor of water for such pur-
| pose, but almost to Il man they are opposed
| to going into the business upon the plan
proposed. They do not think it practica-
BILE for the town to run water works, that
such scheme belongs to a private corpora
ton; that the town is already in debt
enough and that it would be most unwise
| to bond the town tor more money for any
purpose until the other debts are paid.
| There is also an immense opposition to the
proposed manner of voting upon the ques-
tiOn if submitted. The renters claim and
the rentee comedies that the persons who
rent from year TO year will have to pay the
tax by having their rent increased. Why
then give us 40 chance to vote upon thC
question, they ask. Men who know wha
they are talking about, say that supply
entirely sufficient te furnish the town with
water when needed for fire can be con
structed for sum not exceeding $4,000
and that the Kent County Fire Insurance
Company, if properly approached woulC
be willing to pay one half Of this. Th
commissioners have right to go aheat
with such move and raise the amount b.
taxation. These people claim and back
up by facts and figures and plans, that wa
ter, and plenty of it can be furnished 70
the figures given above. Two-thirds oft
! people talked with who own property sa
they would not tear their houses up t
make use of the water; that they prefO
wel-water, oto. One gentleman VIII
knows every foot Of land in Smyrna thor
oughly, says that no town in Delaware
so well adapted for supply of water at
moderate cost if taken the advantage o
; There is a point upon the hill" where
= a large basin was erected would send waite
3 to all parts of the town and lift itself to
, height where an engine could use it to &C
vantage There is almost ar unanimoI
feeling against the proposed method and
: it is persevered in, will result in being d.
l fcated, and Smyrna will be left without h,
Q water to use in case of fire again rs ususu
s Rents are high enough in town now; higl
{ or rents will drive people away rather tina
: bring them to us, and most stubbol
q fight will be raised against any measu
= where the expense is going to be owe
+, $1,000. These are a few facts CLEANED al
q given without comment by the Record in
: tour among our business men,.
: Editorially, in the same issue wat,
q works as they were afterwards co
i structed were strongly discouraged.