The Newberry herald and news. (Newberry, S.C.) 1884-1903, 1891-02-05

AgoCT "pCELIC IMPROVEMENTS.
We publish in tie "Kickers Column"
an editorial from cur esteemed coteIn-
poray, tie Observer, which purports to
take The Herald and News to task on
what is ''entcrprise and progress" 1t
is rot exactly 8 straight, square Kick
by the Observer, but it kinder leans
that way, and hence We honor it by
position il the column.
Those who are opposed to The estab-
Eshment of electric lights and water
works may not be opposed to ''enter-
prise and progress" such as costs moth
Ing, but ''erterprise and progress" that
does not expend money never will ac-
complish very much in the growth and
development Of q town. The Herald
and News does not believe in the wild
and reckless expenditure Of money, but
there is al economy. so called, which
by Withholding, becomes an eXtrava-
gsncc. We have 10 quarrel with those
'skickers" who were ct the meeting
kicking with both feet; nor yet any
objection to their "lusty and effectuaI
kicking" As we have had occasion to
= say before 70 good or great work was
eyer accomplished without overcoming
opposition. Those men who opposed
electric lights at the meeting are good,
substantial citizens and we have great
respect for them, still that does not
alter our opinion that the establishment
OF an electric light plant and a good
system Of water works in Newberry
would be an evidence Of "enterprise
and progress III the development and
growth Of our town.
Not only that, We believe it would
be economy on the part Of the town TO
make this investment. The money
now spent fer lights is almost without
any return. And with the water sup
ply now al hand oar fire department is
almost helpless il the fire happens to
be any distance from tue public square.
The Herald anG News never thought
that the town should go into business
and run the electric plant, but our idea
was that the most the town would be
expected TO 90 Was TO agree to pay so
much per annum for SD many lights TO
any company that would establish
plant ard obligate to furnish satisfac-
tory lights. We would be opposed to
the town levying tax to establish an
electric plant and going in the business
Of furnishing lights, but we would be
willing to put little more money to
that row spent for light and have our
streets Gecenily lighted. So far as the
editor of this paper is individually con-
cerned it makes very little difference
to US whether the streets are lighted at
all or not.
BY the way, is the Observer in favor
ofelectric lights and water works? We
remember very well that when the
matter Of electric lights was first dis
cussed that the Observer snubbed it as
Much Ado about Nothing" but be-
fore the citizens meeting was held we
understood that the Observer was in
favor Of these evidences Of 'enterprise
and progress" but now since ''an op-
portuuity for the discussion Of ways
. and means and the presentation of facts
and figures" has been given, it may
have changed its mind.
It makes nc difference to us what
company should furnish the lights.
We would be glad if the Oil Mill
could enlarge their electric plant and
furnish the lights for the town.
Besides other considerations, the es-
Enlistment of such an enterprise
would add to the taxable property Of
the town and give employment tomore
people.
We are glad the meeting was held
and that the citizens who were there,
or some Of them at least, expressed
their opinions. But we trust the next
meeting, when the Council gets its re-
port ready, VIII be more largely at
tended and that the citizens will speak
out what they think.
There was very small attendance at
the first meeting. If q majority Of the
taxpayers are satisfied with our present
lights and present system Of water
works We will De willing to abide their
decision.