The Seattle post-intelligencer. [volume] (Seattle, Wash. Terr. [Wash.]) 1888-1914, 1893-12-11
WATER BONDS VOID.
According to . Decision Of the
q. 8. Supreme Court
WAGE REDUCTION NOT ACCEPTED
OsUt. Hayden 80 LIZ. Wsssyhssss Nss
Msssiss-assAshsps Of KssssAy. the
Dss CessssSfsises. Hsw - Large.

TAcouA, Dec. f0.-fspsciaL by . de-
eisinn Of the United States supreme court
Of November - IL IL evident the state SUI
prems court Of Washington erred in legal
tsing the issue Of bonds for water supply
purposes TO the amount Of 5 per cent OF
the assessed valuation Of the city OF Ia
coma. IL will be remembered that tho
taxpayers were called upon to vote for or
sgainsf proposition TO expend sz,f5o.0o
for purchasing the water plant Of the Ia
coma Light and Water Company. the
Aeetrie light plant and for extensions 10
the former.
The Poer-IsTgfIrsEscxR stated then
that the amount voted was illegal. being
In excess OF per cent. Of the assessed
valuation authorized by the state constifu-
ton for artificial light, water and sewer
purposes. The question was carried TO
the supreme court, which decided that
the amount Of bonds voted In excess OF
the constitutional limit was illegal. but 20
the surprise Of many citizens. decided the
residue valid. The amount voted by the
city was 1870, 600 The supreme court
cut off about $50 600 and authorized the
residue.
In the case referred TO, that of Hedges
~. Dixon county, Ncb. the United States
supreme court decided the whole issue Of
certain railroad bonds illegal. because it
exceeded the amount stipulated In the
constitution OF the state. That court will
not permit the holders TO re.inqnish the
excess and validate the residue for the
reason that the constitution must be OBJ
served to the letter. The court admits
that If the breach Of law were simply one
s,tt~ La
terms OF the bonds would act as an estop-
pei to the county. but when the breach Is
against the constitution no such sstoppsl
can arise.
According 10 this decision our state
supreme court had no authority for legal
ising the bonds issued by the city, and in
noeent purchasers have no remedy If their
payment should be resisted by Taxpayers
In the meantime the water supply pug
Gle Is stiii going the rounds. At the citv
council meeting this evening Col. c. w.
Gfiggs put In an amended bid. He 10 now
willing to build 3s-inch gravity conduit
20 the Thomas and Patterson springs for
$3.50, 600 extension fund which the major
fly Of the council passed along to City
Treasurer Boggs yesterday.
The amended bid vas placed on file. and
the council authorized the board of public
works to 60 ahead and find out Just how
much water there can be found at the
Mapiewocd springs. and how much IL will
cost TO utilize the same.
To pay for this work II 10 proposed to use
the earnings OF the water plant or some Of
the $3.50. 900 water extension fund, pro-
vided all OF that fund is not eaten up CASH
ing In warrants and making the hearts of
warrant spectators glad. Besides no no.
tice WAS taken Of the fact already brought
ont that the earnings OF the water plant
are necessary to satisfy Father G. Il.
Wright's demand for interest on the
100000 water bonds. President Ryd-
strom. Of the board of public works. says:
1T viii probably cost 81. 900 10 find out
how much water can be utilized at Maple
wood springs. l do not think riparian
owners Will bother Us there. The beauty
Of MApiewood springs 10 that the reservoir
there can be used for gravity supply any
time. 1t is estimated that there is a sup
ply OF l5,oco 90 gallons per day at Maple
wood The light and water company's
engineer estimated that IL would cost
over $4,000 10 build TO Patterson's
springs"
Ii is contended that riparian owners
viii obstruet the city as much If the
Maplewood springs are used as they did
along Clover creek.