The Seattle post-intelligencer. [volume] (Seattle, Wash. Terr. [Wash.]) 1888-1914, 1888-11-13
A PREMATURE sCHEHE.

0&Iff5k Tic past lev HEHAs FISH s14-
general election that the water propo-
sition which Is 20 be decided by popH-
lar vote on the 10Th inst. next Mon
day., has not had the attention 1t de-
serves. The proposition, IL viii be
remembered. is to create debtagainst
the city, drawing ten per cent per an
mum, Of one million dollars, for the
purpose Of supplying the city with
water from q branch Of Cedar river.
A question has been raised As to the
legality of such action, based npon
law OF congress enacted In 1886, pro-
hibiting cities in the territories from
mourning an indebtedness Of more
than four per cent OF the assessed val
uation Of property. The clause Of the
act referred TO Is specific, As follows:
That ss political or municipal corpora
tion, eornty, or other subdivision In aay
OF the territories Of the United States shall
ever become indebted in any manner OF
for any purpose 20 any amount In the az
gregate, including existing Indebtedness,
exceeding four per centum on the value OF
the taxable property within sach corpora
ton, county or subdivision, 70 be ascsr-
tanned BY the last assessment for territorial
and county taxes previous TO the incur
ring OF such Indebtedness. and all bonds
or obligations In excess OF such amount
given by such corporation shall be void.
Since the valuation Of property in
Seattle, as reported by the last assess
ment, IL only about ten millions
Of dollars. the amount proposed to be
borrowed Is far in excess OF the 4 per
cent limit and is therefore clearly
within the prohibition OF the law. This
fact was brought to the attention Of
Mayor Moran yesterday by a Posi-
IErELLreEscER reporter. He replied
that the committee 10 whom
his message relating TO the water
scheme was referred. understood the
situation perfectly. They recognize
the fact that the city of Seattle is not
empowered by law 10 issue 81 10000
bonds at this time. but they hope that
congress viii pass an enabling act at
the next session. Hence the election
Is but preparatory. II petitions were
fndustriously. circulated. there would
be the same Indication OF public senti-
ment relative 10 new water works a.
the ballot box viii show. Now, II tho
election next Monday shows that the
voters OF Seattle desire the city to in
cur an Indebtedness OF 81 100000, the
vote, so the city council argues. will be
q sufficient argument to congress to
pass the enabling act which will be
asked for. Thus 1t will be seen that
even II the proposition Il carried on
Monday next. the result will prac-
tically be nothing more than an appeal
TO congress to pass an act enabling the
city To make this proposed debt.
The more this question is discussed
the more we grow in the conviction
that now is not proper time tevcn
suppose We had the authority, which
we have not) TO incur alarge indebted
ness to secure water supply. we
must create a sewerage system at
once. THIS demand Is Imperative. A
large sum of money viii be required,
probsbly two hundred Thousand dol
lars Or upwards. We must also take
soue action with reference TO the
wharf line and this, too, will
cost n great deal OF money.
Another costly necessity now growing
urgent is the widening aud extension
of streets in the business districts.
Streets. too, all over the city must be
opened at heavy charge. All these
large demands with other smaller
cncs cannot be postponed. They are
infinitely more important and more
pressing than the water scheme.
Il Is by no means certain that the
water proposition now before the peo
pie Is better than others that may be
proposed. Persons whose knowledge
OF our local surroundings is very close
claim that there are other water sources
nearer ut hand. and in all respects
more advantageous than Rock creek,
While this Is not determined, Is il not
wise to make decision which will in
volve the outlay of large sum of
money in a system which, after all,
may be a bad onef
On the whole. ii would. in the judg-
ment of the Posr-isrEILeEScKR, be
much wiser to wait little time
and look carefully before we
leap; in the meantime giving |
our energies to those necessities which
are now upon us and which will not 1
bear delay.
OF course. in the end the city should
and must own and control It's own
water supply. This is now an accepted
duty of municipal government every
WHARF, But while this is fully recog. /
nixed. il is not necessary to 50 with
hot haste into half digeSted and pre-
mature scheme.
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