Morris tribune., 1891-09-09

will be more than will be charged to
supply the average size house in Nor
ris. Thus demonstrating a saving in
favor of water works of $17 per family,
or $3,4O0 per year for 200 families.
This would quite clearly demonstrate,
without going any further, that there
should be water works plant in
Morris, no matter whether it is OPP
Grated by the city or under franchise,
Notwithstanding the assertions made
by citizen that it is the "clearest kind
of folly to think of water works" If
there was water works plant i'll
Morris said citizen might loose the
sale of a glass of beer when some
poor thirsty mortal may desire a
drink.
Great stress was brought to bear on
the Objectionable features of the pro-
posed franchise, especially that portion
wherein it provides what the arbitra-
tors shall ascertain and determine
when called upon to adjust and de-
termine rates. Now suppose that OBJ
jectionable provision is stricken out
altogether, simply leaving the arbitra-
tors to make the adjustments wholly
uminstructed, what would be the first
thing fairminded body of men
would do if called upon to perform
such duty?
Suppose some of the gentlemen
who made such strong objections,
should be chosen as body of arbitra-
tors to adjust rates in some town
where they had no interest whatever,
what would they first do? What
would be reasonable to suppose a
failminded, impartial, uninterested
man of common Judgment would do?
1t is quite likely, and reasonable to
expect that he would ascertain and
determine just what is provided in
that Objectionable feature of the Or
dinancc, viz: Ascertain and deter
mine the cost of construction, main
tanning, operating, interest on bonded
debt, a sinking fund, and a reasona-
bic income on necessary capital in
vested. On ascertaining and deter
mining such facts, they would adjust
the rates, both for hydrant use and
private consumption. Such so-called
Objectionable feature guarantees moth
ing but that the grantees cannot
charge more than the rate adjusted,
nothing more, no matter if every citi-
zen or inhabitant in Morris refused to
patronize the plant, nothing more
could be charged to the village for
hydrant use. The village, or tax pay
ers, have to pay no more, whatever
the consequence may be to the owners
of the plant.
Another Objectionable feature, which
great stress was brought to bear on,
is this so-called indebtedness( ?)that
will contract by granting of the ordi
nance in question. Will some fair
minded, unprejudiced, uninterested
man point out this enormous debt(O
to be contracted by granting this ter
rible franchise that the majority of
the present council" are trying to
pass and thereby make "abject slaves"
of us and our defendants in the in
terest of "a few designing men,"
1t was pointed out in the argument
of the opposition that by contracting
of this debit ?)that we will impair the
credit of the village; that we must
pay higher rate of interest on our
bonded debt when we want to renew
our Indebtedness.
1t appears to me that by saving
of from 81, 600 to 81 800 in fire insur-
ance premiums over and above pay
ing for hydrant rentals, and a saving
of some $1,000 or $1,000 in water bills,
after paying for tolls, that our credit
would be considerably improved, and
that our bonded debt would be en-
tirely wiped out in a few years, and
that without increasing the rate of
taxation. Yours truly,
2. A. MCCARTHY.