Telegram-herald., 1889-12-22
City Water.

That the city OF Grand Rapids should
own and operate its water works, pro-
vidlng II can furnish the best, and at
lowest rates, IS en- lndisputable argu
uIent. Every right minded citizen un-
derstands tins. The proposition Is be-
yOnd question. II Il be possible for the
municipality 10 obtain and maintain an
abundant supply OF pure water by use
OF Its own money, that method should
bc pursued. But Il the choice lies be-
tween foul water from the city water
works and good water purchased from
a private water company, and the latter
can supply it under we'll regulated city
law, then II l. equally true, and equally
indIsputable, that considerations OF
safety and common sense business IN
dl cate the latter as the better plan.
At TINS present period the city of
Grand Rapids Is supplied with impure
water only. 1t would appear TO be hope
less to look for any improvement in the
character of the supply through munlc-
ipdl expenditure. There is no money
III the treasury with which 10 construct
aqueducts for bringing good water
from afar. II Is possible, perhaps, to
filter the water we now have, but nj
tered sewage IS a beverage that can
have few attractions even for person
VINO has been forced to drink 1t until
tered. In such situation It seems 10
US that Il reasonable business propose
ton from private company, to buy
our works, say for more than enough
TO wipe out our debt and thus stop tax
alton, then sell Va decent water for less
than what the city will ever be able 10
furnish II for, Is not 10 be entirely
ignored, nor wholly despised. Ii such
a company, IN fact, has good water for
sale, in ample quantities upon fair and
safe conditions, and under arrange
ments that Will permit ultimate acqul-
sItion OF the OUTFIT by the city, the
scheme deserves attentive consideration
from every tax-paying individual.
At the last Monday council meeting,
Alderman Lauuiere offered a resolution
covering three propositions, which are
as follows:
/. To bond the city for $500, 900 for
the purpose of improving and extend
| lng the water works system.
.. To authorize the council 20 bond
the city for the purpose OF purchasing
toe plant of the Hydraulic Company.
8. To authorize the council 10 sell or
| ispose Of the Cty's system upon the
most favorable and advantageous terms
obtalnablo.
Here arc three plain, practical busi-
ness-like propositions, well presented,
and they should find unbiased c0nsid-
Grafton from every water consumer.
Whether we borrow money with
| which 20 secure good water. or suffer
private capitalists 20 get il, and sell 1t 20
| us. really appears % D. quite an lndit-
| fercnt matter. To Obtain good water,
| however, and a. the lowest possible
rates, g most mOment0us matter.
| Nobody can eKaggeTate the importance
/ Of swift performance Of that iest. IT,
| IS, therefore, wlth regret that Ne observe
| in ofciai quarters, dIspos ton
| 90 decry the one practicable method of
| reaching the end and reaching 70
/ PROMPTLY. There z not much sd0nl
either In pretending that the obviously
4 f1rI water is pure. or in placing ohstTIc-
/ to0s n the wsv of every movement
! made for securing such = supply az a
great, fast growing, prosperous city
ought 70 have
The whole problem resolv zee II into
/ the following srp. fed Reducing
/ taxation -increesfrg TAXATION better
water st over rates.
scre merchants cease 20 advert se
iest ss soon a. trey commence 20 do a
{ 't-I1 extra business, rsr - f1r tre
1 whsr tnev should continue 20 DO more
III e. NJ wonder they Complain 20
I dun tines
I 90 to other cnes a11 .earn less-0
rs the vsv - advertising Peep 2 ri -sf
1awav from He0le l or1er - s7o e
80 be Fl