The Memphis appeal. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1886-1890, 1889-04-05
THE REQUEST CONES In.
WATER COMPANIES ASK FOR RECoG-
NITIoN OF CONSOLIDATION.
The Documents Already Prepared and
Submitted by Them-Action Deferred
for "a Season - President Haddens
Grave Intimation.

When the city's contract with the Arte-
sian Water Company was under discus
sion, because Of preliminaries for legal
contest, there were ominous whisperings
at headquarters Of the municipal govern
ment.
President Hadden-in the singular num-
ber-gravely minated to an APPEAL re-
porter that when the two companies APP
piled for recognition Of their consolidation
by the authoritios, something would DO
done about that contract.
The matter is now before the city author
tiles, the opportunity is at hand to empha-
size those limitations, and few days will
show upon what they were based. II came
up at the Legislative Council meeting yes
terday.
r. g. Graves, vice-president Of the Ar
tesian Water Company, had in an Off
cial statement that his company had en-.
tered into arrangements TO purchase the
property and working franchise OF the Mem
phis Water Company under an enabling
act passed by the present Legislature.
Col. George Cant thought the asserting
act of the Council should be given as
promptly as possible, as the purchasing
company proposed to expend large
amount Of money. He had prepared
resolution covering the proper ground"
which he submitted. II is as follows
"Whereas, BY an act OF the General
Assembly OF the State OF Tennessee, enti-
| tied An act 10 empower water companies
in this State TO acquire, by purchase or
otherwise, the property and working fran
chises Of other water companies, passed
March 30, 1889, and approved by the Gov
ernor April 2, 1889, 1t is provided in all
cases where there are two chartered water
companies in any town or city in this
State that one OF said companies shall have
the right and power TO acquire,
| by purchase or otherwise, the prop
erty and working franchises OF the
other company, by and with the consent
and approval OF the municipal authorities
of the town or city in which said COM
panies may be located, for the purpose
and under the conditions in said act
mentioned; and, whereas, there arc
located in the Taxing District, known as
the City OF Memphis, OF Shelby County.
Tenn, two water companies duly
chartered and organized under the
laws OF this State. one called the
Memphis Water Company, and the other
the Artesian Water Company, and tho
latter is DESTROYS Of purchasing the former,
in due legal form, all its property and
working franchises, for the purpose Of
enabling the said Artesian Water Com
pany the better to carry out its duties
under its charter, and 10 comply with its
contract for public and private supply Of
water, and especially its contract with said
Taxing District, OF date 30ih day Of July,
1887, and, whereas, on the 18th day Of Feb
ruary, 1889, the said Artesian WSier
Company gave notice 10 this Tax
ing District by its petition, that
upon the passage Of such an act, II would
ask the consent Of the Taxing District TO
It's purchase OF tho property aud working
franchises Of said Memphis Water COai.
pany, which Il held under n lease by con-
tract with said company for the term OF
fifty years; and, whereas, the said two
water companies are not being operated
and run In competition with each other,
and such purchase is entirely satisfactory
to the municipal authorities OF said Taxing
District; therefore, be It
Resolved, by the Legislative Council Ql
: said Taxing District, That 1t does hereby
consent TO and approve Of the purchase
by the said Artesian Water Company
from the said Memphis Water Company
Of all or such part Of the property and
working franchises OF the latter company
as the former may desire, upon such term,
as may be agreed upon between them o.
their respective Representatives"
, The company also submitted the draft
Of contract which Il deemed the propal
caper. II provides ioE a surrender Of th,
Memphis Water Companys extensive
franchise, after July /. 1859. ON or bctof,
which time the Artesian Water Company
| agreed 10 furnish a supply OF water undel
, It's contract Of July 80, 1881. II also agreed
TO furnish additional public fountains and
public drinking iountains-thats all.
The documents were referred 10 Messrs
MADDEN. Petit, kney and Lee, 10 rcpOr
/. nj next meeting.