Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1890-02-16

matter and hoped that s,s tb,s an, ...,~.
sentatives in the Connect w"r,a ha. ne,,, MA
snmcicnt regard Cor the intcrcsfs ~ tbs,r
poorer constituents 20 have removed the
vnefous water-tax which went into onera-
ton on the LIST Of September Inst.
10 snow tho inconsistency OF this ordI.
nance. Will give tho rates, Dwelling
houses ,one hydrant. IS per annum: adj.
a'.,onai faucets. each $3.50. Families lover
ssore,-1,one pydrant. each So Right
nere Is difference ia charge of a. nor An.
mum made between family occupyipc a
uweiiing.house and a family liy;ng over q
store. VII! some one OF our Solops he GOOD
enough 10 explain why q family in a dwelI.
ing-houSe should be charged az per anpum
more than family over a store2
understand the Council amended the
ordinance so ~ to make the charge 90 per
Snun ,, Tor each additional family IN a
.uWc'ilhg-hVuse or on the premises thereof.
this discrimination: but when IL came no
IN the Board of Aldermen that bodv nv a
vote OF II TO made the entire charge IS
per annum on each house for the hvdrant
with no additional charge for other fa,ni-
lies on the premises which Amendment
was not acted on by the Council ri ia last
meeting, and so tho poor water.takers will
another quarter.
now. what |. as we'll "a large number
OF other unfortunates who are comuejled
oy our pocuuinry circumstances To- sub
ie' portions OF our promises object TO is
that II the water department must l1se a
YAK Tor each family on the premises D,c,J
s'0'"d be required 10 present a bM 10 encI,
icnd'@ and make him or her responsible for
rs payment. And If it be commended that
thIs would impose more clerical work than
~. lao.
can perform, let them get an additional
eierS, ~ IL IS certain, that If this ordinance
j. J'aly enforced (Which have good reason
10 believe II Is nOD IL VIII give enough adj
hltional revenue 10 paw for such clerical
work. and an increased amount will 20
INTO the city treasury.
lhe ordinance IS very defective gene
fhlly. and nowhere authorizes the Superin-
tcndent 20 render bill 20 the man ,endu,
for anybodv's waterfront but his own: but
he does II ali the samo. and ifa water-taker
asks the question, DO you refuse to rem
der mo an individual bill for nv own
iaInilyl" he is told NO; but we will hare
10 report you for having allowed the use
Oi the water TO other families on your pre-
misses that ~. from the first Of the quar-
Ter TO the time of presentation Of the bill
tthe 5th)-ior which, 1t is contcnded. be
viii have 10 pay fine of at least So; thus
gag.lng him completely.
by charging the principal tenant for
each sub-tenant You thereby force him to
collect water-rent for the city without
compensation. and if no IS unable 10 col
lect IT Gas Is frequently the easel he has to
bear tho loss instead of the city without
any redress whatever.
ms injustice can be corrected by either
requiring the Superintendent TO rr,dLs ont u
bW against zach tenant for water, holding
each tenant responsible for It's payment,
or by 50 amending tho ordinance "a to
make a reasonable charge against tho prin-
clpal tenant. In case the ordinance WIS
changed so as to require n bill to he made
out against zach tenant. then the go
section OF the ordinance could be 50
amended in regard 10 allowing other per-
sons TO get water from bydrgnt rs TO
meet the exigencies OF the case.
In conclusion. 1t Is 10 he hoped that our
present city fathers will give heed 10 the
wishes of the people; but if not, then per
haps those whom we shall elect next May
1ci1. JUsTIcE.