Democratic Northwest. [volume] (Napoleon, Ohio) 1869-1894, 1891-06-04
PRO and Con-
Expressions from Some of Our
Leading Citizens on the
Waterworks Issue.


This question of all but vital importance
has been raked from the ashes Of the past
and is absorbing the public attention.
As has heretofore been stated, the matter
has received the attention of the Council, in
that, committee of four, consisting of two
of it's members and two leading business
men, mas been appointed to ascertain the
feasibility of the town constructing plant
the probable cost, general results, etc.
The Committee was, for divers reasons,
unable to make report at the regular meet
ing Monday night; the Council therefore ad-
journed until the 9Th inst. The question
will doubtless reach asolution on that date,
as far as the Council is concerned.
Engineer Cook, of Toledo, will go over the
territory the latter part of this week and lend
his ability and experience to assist in deter
mining the advisable course to pursue by
both Committee and Council.
| If, in the opinion of the council, system
of waterworks will benefit the town to any ex-
tent, and the expense compatible with the
condition of our finances, this honorable
body will in all probability refer the issue to
the people for disposal by means of special
election. 1t is a non-partisan issue-a ques-
tion that concerns the town as a whole, re-
gardless of politics or station, and as such it
is herein treated by reproducing the follow
ing standpoints taken from some of our
prominent citizens and business men, ex-
pressed to representative of the NORTH
WEST
&c. Saur-"It will be the salvation of this
town which at present is in condition when things
| are upon the eve Of a boost. 1t will benefit the
town In various ways; insurance will be cheaper;
the stores-many OF them will put in elevators; we
will get the floating population when 1t is known
that we have convenience paramount with other
towns and (which our town warrants us in having
Yes, am in favor of waterworks first. last and all
| the time"
Judge Meekison- "The town was never in better
condition financially for an Improvement Of this
kind. We owe but 5000 which, considering the
valuation on the duplicate Of taxable property, is
light Waterworks for Napoleon would be q good
thing"
DR.. Bloomfeld-"Itis is a luxury gained at a com J
parativey tri1ing cost. ! am In favor of it, IL for
no other reason than the great sanitary benefits
derived"
John H. HaIter-'I am for waterworks every
time. Am in for any improvement that will help the
town"
CAPT, c. E. Reynolds-"It would be vast bene-
fit to the town for the money invested. Our in
debtedness will hover about the same point any
now, and II the works were constructed, other ex-
penses would drop off almost unconscously. Its
benefits aret too numerous to mention"
Josiah Roller -"Many new projects pan out
poorly but 1t is impossible for wateworks to fair
thus The town is in good shape for this needed i'm
prOvement, and if we don't pay for 1t ALL succeeding
generations can, They will derive as much beneft
as we and as understand II be nded indeb tedness
is for such.
Il. O. Groschner-'T am opposed to 1t and will be,
do not think the town can afford IT,"
Judge Donnely-''I Il have nothing to say"
big YES"
D. G. Brown--"I am heartily in favor of IT, and
hope the movement will be rapidly pushed"
Jas. P. Ragan-"I favor waterworks provided
spring water can be secured, and the town own and
operate the plant. With snch conditions fulfilled
they can I lay the main any to o soon for me- / be-
lieve our council is conscent ious in its debera-
tons, and think it's decision Ill be for the good Of
the town.
RI Heller--"I am for the works wherever W o
get the water or what system we adopt"
J. B. Augenstein Eyes, give US waterworks. 1t
will help the town both in sanitary way and in re-
gard to its growth
D. J. Humphrey-"Suppos Wen have to put
them in If the vote carries For my part am in fav-
or of the project II 1t proves sef-sustaining. Am
not in favor Of the river a base of supply, how
ever.
Frank Shoemaker-"Give us waterworks at any
cost whether self sustaining or not, II is an enter
prise that no conscientious business man or citizen
will oppose"
Al. Ulrich-"Am very strongly in favor Of II
and believe it will support ITSELF II we could get
water easily by boring 1t would be different but we
cant. Look at our two expensive wells on the
court house corner for samples of such futile efforts
How anyone can fight the measure 1 cannot under
stand"
s. M. Honeck -"Do 1 want waterworks9 Yes
AS far as I myself am concerned they will not
benefit me except the convenience, as have an ex-
cellent filtered cistern. But it will help the tow
and we can afford them"
A.Bradley-I want them but on an economical plan
They can be self sustaining. most vehementiy
kick on anything that savors Of jobbery.
F. Shoner-Am not IN favor of waterworks at
present. Our rate of taxation is approximatng
81 per cent.-by far too much. For this reason
and this a.one am opposed to the measure. Don't
think that the plant can be put In for less than
$50000. As sanitary good 1t would be all right )"
H.F. Norden--"Countm me in for waterworks, pro-
viding everything is straight-which can be il the
town owns and operates the plant"
Julian d. Tyler-If we can find 8 means by which
the works can be constructed and operated legiti-
mately and free from all jobberes, am in favor OF
and will labor for the project. The benefits OF q
, good system to Napoleon need not be mentioned
we all know them. Other towns of our population
successfully operate waterworks and the electric
light to great saving Of the tax payers, why not
wei"
William Spengler-"I think 1t will help the town
and II the majority think the same see no reason
why they should not be put In There is question
but that our town is In poor sanitary condition
, waterworks will remedy this. 4"
II s. NJ. Heier-Give US waterworks II they can be
constructed and st the same time avoid jobbery."
DR.. Haly-No waterworks for me, but this is
purely from a financial standpoint. don't think
we can at pres ent afford them. !"
3 Geo. II. Rohrs-I am and have been an advocate
, of the move. OF course mean provided the thing
is proceeded with understandingly.
M, Reiser -Waterworks cannot beneft the town
1t will take money away from us-it will bring no
new labor here. The actual cost will be twice that
estimated. am more in favor Of donating S50,0O0
to some manufactory to start up here than any
thing else.
W. +. Balsley-We need them, but In taking the
step economy and judicousness should ever be kept
in view; the proposals made by company on a
, former occasion were without coubt unreasonable.
, James Donovan-You can say that am une-
quivocally in favor ofanything that wiz improve