The Monitor., 1890-04-18

an offensive frogpond like that that sup
plies Salem is Objectionable. But our
Council does not propose to supply us with
water drawn from frogpond or polluted
stream, but from crystal springs. Taxed"
is mistaken again in the statement that
water works are inefficient in times of fire
without the aid of a fre-eDgine. In large
cities, where the water supply is through
immense mains, fire-engines are necessary.
But in smaller towns, where the mains are
not more than a foot in diameter, it has
been demonstrated beyond peradventure
that power can be supplied from the pump
ing engine sufficient for any emergency.
At Salem, although the pumping engine
is some three miles out of town, they can
supply pressure from the pumping engine
sufficient to throw water from a freplug
over the highest steeple in the city. We
have taken considerable space in an.effort
to confute the arguments of Taxed"
against water works. We will endeavor
at another time, the Lord willing, to give
some reasons for water works apart from
their desirability in time of fire.
#@*
We also notice in the columns of the
Register this week, paper published in
our town, communication from someone
Il
eve hear some talk of Incorporating this
borough under an act passed this last win
ter" The writer then goes on to say
1--WE have not seen the law but we under
stand there are some very ugly features in
the bill" He further says: There are
other strange features in which we will
not speak of at present, and yet the
writer has not seen the bill. 1t is mar
velously strange what amount of faith
some people have in things unseen. We
are not so constructive cannot accept
everything on hearsay. We want some
tangible reason for the faith that is in u.s.
We heard a report some time ago that the
devil was dead. Now if we could shut our
eyes and ears against evidence to the con-
trary and accept the statement on faith,
we could get good deal of comfort out of
the report But, when we look around
town and see evidences that his Satanic
majesty hasn't 'passed in his checks,
why then We don't believe the report and
hence we are deprived Of comfort the writer
of the article quoted would undoubtedly
get. The article goes on further to say
ut is not believed by many that the law
applies TO borougbs now legally incor-
porated" Here again the writer evidently
drew on faith The Register goes to press
the first of the week. At that time we
knew Of but two copies of the bill in town.
Since then there has been considerable in-
quiry for the bill by those most directly
interested. So it is reasonable to suppose
the writer's faith anticipated what he be-
lieyed ought to be facts. If SO the sriter,s
faith was blind, untrusty guide. The
fact is the bill provides for the very thing
the writer doubts. Faith is a good thing
| and affords good deal Of comfort, but the
| man that sits down and trusts everything
| to faith is very apt to get left. AS the
writer seeks to be public teacher through
| the press we feel disposed right here to
give him pointer. What the people want
| is not suppositions but facts. When the
blind lead the blind both fall into the
ditch. The writer goes on further to say
the bill gives Council power to saddle on
| the people two per cent. tax, which sis
dangerous thing and sufficient to kill it
at once here" Here again We presume
the writer's faith again takes hold of what
| to him is apparently fact, and that is, all
Councilmen are scoundreIs and have no
| regard for the peoples interests or wishes.
| The facts OF the matter are Council is ex-
ceedingly cautious and ever has been in
| the expenditure of the peoples money.
Under a supplement to the law under
which we are now incorporated Council,
| by a vote of the people, can raise S., 900
| year for current expenses. By like au-
thority they can bond the town for sum
not exceeding ten per cent of its taxable
valuation, or about $780, 900. Our observa-
tion has been that in voting appropriations
the majority usually vote the highest ap-
preparation named. So it is possible for
Council under the present constitution of
things to bond the borough for 500, 900.
Now this is q nightmare about five times
as big as the ane ihat frightens the Register
correspondent. Why not disbandon our
borough government altogether for fear of
expenses Why not disbandon our courts
of law? Why not disbandon all govern
ment? Why not be a ''law unto enr-
selves" on the score of economy?
JOSIAH