The Mankato free press. [volume] (Mankato, Blue Earth County, Minn.) 1879-1924, 1889-09-13

THE RerieC has at last got around to
criticising the methods of the CITY adj
mInistration it defended so heartily be-
fore the last election. 1t says:
SO long as the water department is OPP
Grated as at present, it will never be
made self-supporting. The reasons are
to be found in the absence of any fixed
| business principles of keeping accounts
and making collections, and the general
| reckless expenditures, the hasty action
in buying the pump without COMPETE
ton and in assuming for the city the
great expense it has been to in putting
it together after its arrival, as is evidence
ed by the bills now IN the hands of the
| committee on claims; and lastly in the
councils policy granting special favors
| in rates and not laying down a general
and equitable system toapply to all alike.
Just SO; but ifthe Reciew had preached
something of this sort before election
there might at present be some of the
business principles" it wants In city ad-
ministration. 1t remained passive dur
ing the whole agitation as regards the
board of public works, and defended the
administration which has been making
the RECKLESS expenditures" All we
have to say In comment is that it's kick
ing at this late day is not very appro-
pirate.
1t is possible that it's view of the fail
ure of the water rents to paw the expen-
SEES of maintaining the works is correct,
but it is not too late to have reforms in
stituted, however unpromlsing the pros
pect of getting any may be. 1t certainly
is the experience ofother cities that the
income of a properly conducted water
works more than pays the expenses.
This city has spent lots of money in ex-
periments-that Is very true-but it can
not now be recalled, while the need of a
perfect water system is more pressing
than ever. We now have source of
supply and splendid pumping appara-
tus. Because there has been extrava.
gance in the past that has made the cost
of obtaining the proper kind of plant
needlessIy expensive is no reason for
stopping just as the right thing has been
found. Let everybody join in a de-
mand that the future administration
and conduct of affairs be economical and
business-like, and give those officials
who don't get into line to understand
that their heads will go off at the first
| opportunity. The great trouble has
been that the FREE PRESS has worked
alone all these months in opposition to
| the NEUTRALITY-SUSPICIOUS. of affairs, while
the RerieaO has defended the guilty ones
when it dared or kept silent altogether.
AS to the proposed extension of the
mains, we think it is but justice TO those
who desire the benefits of the water sys-
tenn, and are ready to pay for the benefits
they will get. Is it not exactly on the
line of the policy demanded by the Re
vie1C OF treating all alike? If the extern
sion is made and the proper manage
ment secured we hold that the prospect
is good that 1t will not cost those tax
payers who are not benefited a cent,
while should surplus be secured in
the water fund 10 be used for other pur-
posesit would reduce the general tax
alton. However this may be, the city
cannot afford to stop where 1t is in the
water mains extensi on. There are 9TH
er directions in which economy and re-
trenchment should and must be made,
but now that we have good water sys-
tenn let all those who desire its benefits
be provided for. We hope the bonds
will be voted.