The Somerset reporter., 1889-08-08

Up In
Let Us Be Fair.

80 - ~
When the committee appointed by the
Skowhegan Corporation to test the ELL
cheney of the water works In this village
undertook to perform that duty, 1t was
patent to every tax payer who saw it that,
for some unexplained reason known only
to said committee, the tim MAS spent
and attempted test made at tine farthest
and weakest locality, where there Is a
long stretch of four inch pipe, where
property is least exposed, AM where the
Water Co. itself has repeatedly said wa
the weakest hydrant ON the whole = stun
Now, why in the name OF fairness spend
half day there in testing thing that
one-half hour?
Why not accept the inevitable so far a.
that hydrant was concerned, and 90 aud
make a test where the hydrants are In
tended to protect more property and af-
fording reasonable supply of water for
the purpose of extinguishing what may
be disastrous confagration2 Or, If the
test Is not to be made in the most ex-
posed locality, like the corner of Water
and Madison streets, 20 TO the top OF
Dyer's hill and there make YOUR test by
demonstrating its efficiency or inetllcienCy
by throwing or attempting to throw
water on the buildings In that vicinity.
The absurdity of your test can only BE-
equalled by going there again and attach
ing 1000 more feet of hose to the steamer
and attempt to throw water up to house
In Madison.
The writer has no pecuniary interest in
the Water CO., but as a citizen and tax
payer, desiring the prosperity of Sko8he-
gan, he thoroughly believes in the utility
and efficiency of the present system OF
Water Works which have been construct
ed at such an enormous expense In our
thriving village. As Corporation we
cannot afford to 90 backward or stand
still. II we would progress we must be
public spirited and encourage all enter
prlses that tend to make live, Yankee
town. We cannot afford to 90 back To
tallow candles or kerosene oil even, In
lighting places of business, nor depend
on the old "bucket brigade" button tub,
or our useful steamer even. when better
facilities are offered to protect our prop
erty from 6re.
At this late day it does not seem neces-
sary to dislnterested, unprejudced people
to test the utility or efficiency of the
water works system. Who has not seen
its good work in throwing some five or
six streams over Coburn Hall? 1t is a
question of business to be settled by con-
tract, and not question of utility or etli-
cheney. For its own interest, the Water
Co. must make it efficient and keep it so.
One word more in regard to the test as
sumed to be made on the day of last trial.
Allowing but one stream could be thrown
over MIR. Ford's house with steamer,
what more protection is there for Mr..
Ford and others living in that locality
with steamer alone. In fact, is there not
more with the system of water works
Does it not give a supply of water which
they do not have now? 1t has already
been demonstrated, to the sorrow of one
unfortunate resident, that the steamer
alone could not save his property. If it
Is question of more or less protection
the answer seems to be in favor OF the
water system.
Gentlemen of the committee, let us all
endeavor to be fair in our judgment; and,
above all, when entrusted by the corpora
tion to perform an important and respon-
sihle duty, lay aside personal prejudice,
and make the test as become Impartial
men disposed to be fair, and not show by
your actions beforehand and during the
trial, a desire to prejudice so important
matter on which you are to act.
The progressive tax payers OF the
Skowhegan Corporation, those who be
leve in good schools and who vote to
build school houses, will see that justice
is done and right prevails, and that no
element or desire however conservative
shall forever keep the wheels of our
thriving corporation in the unprogressive
rut of old fogyism.
TAN PAYER.
No rosin! No rosin No roSin