San Antonio daily light. [volume] (San Antonio, Tex.) 1886-1907, 1890-09-26

statements could not lie relied upon. The
report as to the expense was incomplete
| Here was another statement which he
had obtained, no matter where, just so
| that he had obtained it. Total
amount paid in ten years for labor,
| sl70,C00.s This did not include the work
| on it under Mr.. LacoSte. He figured that
| the total expenses last year therefore were
some $37, Geo and the gain was $4,000 and
there was a deficiency of $4,000 which
| must be raised either by direct taxation
| or increased water rents.
This is business proposition. Now, if
you make bad trade you make hor-
! rloly bad one because 1t lasts so long. He
said that If the present company cannot
make more than eighty or ninety thous-
and dollars the city will not make near
that sum.
They cali us old fogies. What is age
respected for? Because it does not jump
at fancied gains or plays in futures and
this is playing in futures of the most IN
certain kind
He said there was nothing in the big
bug bear that we cannot construct our
own system without going bankrupt.
The city does not have to buy the present
plant, but if il is bound to have it, but
hope we can buy 1T, IL can be condemned.
Mr.. Green's speech was considerably
and most enthusiastically applauded
throughout.
Mr.. Wright took the stand and re-
sponded to the constant call of his name.
He had no i'll feeling against those who
favored the proposition, for it is natural
to differ. He cOntended that the yearly
interest would have to be raised by taxes
The committee, he said, went to the
mayor and asked that the matter be
postponed so that the people could inveS-
tigate, but the mayor said the city cOun-
Gil had already Investigated. Yes, but
the city council will not go down into
their pockets for,the tax money while the
put the sinking fund in United States
bonds and other good securities, but the
past shows that this has never been done.
Think of what these sinking funds will
eventually amount to! | am no old fOgy.
| am for San Antonio against the world.
and favor the purchase of the works at
a fair price. This election ought to be
postponed, because we are not prepared
TO vote intelligently upon the matter. He
said that il was well enough to talk about
the beautiful springs, the limpid waters,
but when you have to put your hands in
your pockets for the 100000 sinking
funds, you will lose sight of these beauti-
full things. Brackenridge's salary was but
81 ,0O0, he said, but his interest in the well
fare OF the company was worth $4,000
per year. We, however, must pay big
price for shrewd man to manage this
plant.
The people talk of high water rates,
why the city has right to regulate
them.
The contract betwees the city and
waterwOrks expires. after twenty-five
years from the date when 1t was signed,
and at that time the city can have the
works appraised and purchase it for what
it is worth, but If necessary, il can ue
condemned before that time. III this
proposition is defeated now, it can be re-
newed and voted upon when the legiSla-
ture rectifes the error in our charter, of
10 per cent. sinking fund. Col. Wright'S
address was received with cheers.
Gen. Russ was loudly called for, and
spoke upon the subject. Since it was a
business question, he would freely eX-
press his opinion. He was truly surprised
proposition. Two millions of dollars!
Why did they not throw in the bank? No;
with the bank thrown in, it was too
much He had investigated the matter
for himself, and can prove that q, LOCO per
mile was dear price for the water mains:
He too had not seen the Eden at the head
of the river, and he was no mossback,
either. He was glad that the place was
beautiful, and he was glad that Brecken-
ridge owned it, for the Colonel was nice
man, but that was no reason why
we poor devils should contribute
any more to its proprietor.
He said that first came the demand for
sewers, and shortly after came the water
works agitation! 1t was curious, and il
struck him as very peculiar! He would
give the city piece of land, the water,
the power and the pipes for 100000 He
had reference to the Crystal ice factory
property with its three arteSian wells.
This would fully answer the purpose for
sewers.
He said that if the city had the nerve
to put in a sewer system after she had
bought the waterworks for S2,OOO,CC0 she
had pretty good spinal column.
The park at the head of the river would
be fine park for those who could ride in
carriages and pay the car fare. We have
fine parks in this city and they are not
half attended to.
MIR. Chairman, what are we going to
do with that house? Are we going to
make that the White House? VIII there
the society ladies get their tips? If you
will excuse me, will discuss the money
question. The city'S 5O-year percent
$1,000 bonds are worth 500 in interest,
then what are s., 100000 bonds worth?
II am sorry, even frightened. Here we
are with prosperity at our doors, capital
lists from all over the world looking over
TO us, but many of them have said 10 me,
Wait until we see whether you will
lead yourself down with those S2,OOO,OOO
bond" He likened this city, if it should
make the purchase, to a girl with one side
of her face a dream of beauty, the other
a cancered hell of uglinesS. The i'm
provementS constituted the beauties, and
the s., 100000 dollar debt, the cancer.
The General retired with long and en-
thuSiaStic cheering
1t was then decided that committee of
eight be appointed at each polling pre-
cinct TO work for the defeat of the propo-
SitiOn.
1t was also decided to hold another