The Corvallis gazette. [volume] (Corvallis, Or.) 1862-1899, 1892-08-12
THE wATERwoRKs QUESTION.

of waterworks for this city, and
have designated day when clti
zens may meet and by their ballot
say aye or no to the issuance Of
bonds by the council for the above
purpose.
The above is business PROPOSE
ton, though very complex, and
should be thoroughly examined by
every taxpayer before voting, for,
if the measure carries he is a part
ner in the concern, and as such,
will have to bear his part, whether
the same is successful or other
wise.
1t must be remembered that
here the charter of the city per-
mits departure fram former U.s.
age. 1t has now the power, with
the consent Of the taxpayers, to do
certain things named in the char
ter and the limit of Indebtedness
for those purposes is given by the
legislature, subject to the judg-
ment and management of the
council. 1t must also be remem-
bered that the charter does not
make it obligatory, either ON the
council or citizens, to undertake
any of the propositions in the
charter at or on any particular day
or time. They word "may" is
used, not "shall," excepting wher
undertaken; certain regulations are
compulsory.
Proposition. - Shall the city
council at this time undertake
the business of building or buying
and managing a system
of waterworks for this city? To
those who are familiar with oul
present condition, our convent
ences for public purposes, the
money paid and to be paid for the
same, no argument is required fol
anegative a vote. But for the strane.
er in our midst, and those who take
little thought on such matters
more is required. Let US ask oil
those, in what city or state have
you lived where more or better
conveniences are to be had thar
we have already, taking into con-
sideration population, wealth and
other circumstances? Whatever
your experience may be they fal
surpass any similar providings il
any other place in the writer's ex
perience.
1t is true the waterworks anG
electric lights are run by private
capital, but we have them, an6
they are sustained. Now let u.
look at the means expended the
past four years and that to be ex
pended in settlement for things
obtained, and at our tax rate, ther
compare those with the same con
ditions in other cities, taking into
consideration population ane
wealth, and the question or rropo
sition is answered. 1t is impossi
BILE as a business proposition to d.
this at this time.
But even if we were beyond thu
expenditures of the past few
years the proposition would b,
questionable in many ways: first
there can be no comparison as t,
the cost of managing business be
tween an elective council and O
men who have their own none,
invested. In the first place ther,
is no pecuniary responsibility be
yond a citizens part; in the other
weatever loss or gain there is tn
owner must take. On this hea,
at recent convention of delegate
OF the American Waterworks AS
sociation a leading engineer stated
the discrepancy between re-
celpts and disbursements OF city
and thisstatement was brought out
elf any representative here know
OF any public water supplies that
are making money would like tc
hear from them.n The president
answered 81 believe that the re-
ports of Hartford show a profit
| do not know of any other city,
In this meeting you can read oil
the many places where citizens
have been too premature in their
taking hold of these improvements
interest due is unpaid and bonds