Democratic Northwest. [volume] (Napoleon, Ohio) 1869-1894, 1891-05-21
Shall We Have water.works ?


This important question is again before the
people for their consideration, and it will not
rest until the works are in operation, whether
this year or next.
The question is one of vital importance. 1t
may be asked by old citizens, Why do we
need water-works more than heretofore?
They assert that they have not suffered for
the want of water, and do not feel the need OF
it now more than in the past. This is doubt
less true. They may have been sick many
times, but not knowing the cause, have been
led to charge it to a dispensation of Provi-
dence. Providence was no doubt trying to
teach them lesson by sad experience. Sani-
tary science, though in its infancy, has made
very great advances in the last few years. 1t
has been demonstrated beyond a reasonable
doubt that filth in all its many forms is the
very fountain and origin of all the zymotic or
filth diseases. One member of our very effi-
cient board of h9alth, is said to have re-
market; that "if it could not be proven that
dirt caused disease, why tnen the necessity OF
making the people clean up" As he is not
noted for his knowledge of the later advances
of sanitary science, it may be said of him,
that he thereby demonstrated his unftness for
the position he SO poorly fills. 1t is now
known beyond doubt that the deadly
typhoid fever is caused by drinking impure
water. Persons who are not we'll informed
say that the water in their well lisa clear as
crystal and wholly without any bad taste; this
For ha uff
unfit for human use. A practical che mist
might easily demonstrate, that it was full OF
organic or decayed animal or vegetable mat =
ter. No one would knowingly drink it who
could see or taste the deadly poison it con-
tains.
How does water become impure? The
greatest care may have been taken, yet the
water be full of impurities. When any one
thinks of the amount of filth OF. every kind,
that has been put into and upon the soil OF
any town of fifty years growth, the question
answers itself. Clean healthful water can
not come out of soil that is full of filth. II
there were perfect absence of decayin or
panic matter in the soil, the air and water
midht be reasonably expected to be pure, but
this is not the case. Pure water can only be
found in a soil that is not contaminated BY
the results of human occupation. This ca
only be found outside of towns. River water
is open to the same objections as we'll water
as it contains all the filth of many, instead Of
the town. There is no water so pure as thai
found in a bed of pure sand Oh. gravel sufi CT
emily far from sources of contamination. W.
have Just that source of supply near to towr
and yet far enough removed to insure purity
All. we need is the enterprise to utilize it
Then every citizen can be supplied will
pure and health giving water, at small ex
pense.
The death dealing condition of the atmos
phere comes from the concealed but not in
explicable alteration of the soil saturated b!
filth of every nature. Given years of intiltra
tion by gaseous, liquid, and solid decay, a
certain temperatures and humidity, the sol
will develop a concentrated miasma whicl
stealthily saps the strength till some overdo
ing, some sudden change of cold and hea
tilts the balance, and 10, the patient is seizet
with some deadly zymotic disease, and h
will be lucky if he escapes with his life. How
shall the soil be made pure? This can onl,
be done by thorough system of drainage ant
sewerage. Filth cannot be successfully re
moved without constant flow of water t
prevent its damming up the sewer pipes AM
making them source of danger rather thai
safety.
Will water works pay? The city of Lam
caster in this State has had water works fo
ten years and has lately reported that the
have already paid for themselves. That i
certainly paying good per cent. The
henceforth have the water works free of cos
and can use them as source of income, o
greatly reduce the cost of water to the citi
zens. Statistics show that four times as man
people use the water when furnished by tn
city then when furnished by a company. A
they are benefit to the people it is clear tina
they ought to be owned by the city.
Let us than have water works and sewers
then will soon follow improved streets, an,
soon people will take pride in our beautiful
and healthy city.