The record-union., 1893-08-10
THE VOTE ON THE WATER QUEs-
TON.

On the Goth inst. the people of this city
will be called upon to vote upon propo-
sition to introduce a new water supply.
1t is of vital Importance that the whole
matter should be clearly understood, for
unfortunately there are citizens whose
communications to us and to others prove
that they wholly misunderstood the mat
ter, and have not taken pains to inform
themselves, but propose to vote against
the new supply on the basis of certain
false assumptions born of their own pig
headedness and general contrariness. We
have no patience whatever with the man
who can ascertain a fact without effort,
but refuses to do so and prefers the error
of his own self-conceit.
But there are others who have honesty
at heart, who wish to be right, to vote
right and do right. and who will set aside
their own prejudices to receive the truth
With such it is a pleasure to debate
sooner they are out of the community the
better, for no man has right to be FOOL
in this day and age of light it is little
short of criminal to deserve that appella-
tion.
Simply and briefly, then, this is the sit
uation. The present water supply is an
of1ense. 1t is offensive to those who
know how rapidly and seriously the
water of the river is being contaminated.
1t is a reproach to US in the eyes and
mouths of strangers. The present water
works are wearing out; they are nearly
worn out, and we are liable at any time
to water famine.
The chief main of the city is laid
wrong end to-" as the saying is. The
outside property is being built upon rap
idly, but the main so diminishes in that
direction, that the people have inadequate
protection from fire; as, witness the case
of the fire of last Friday, on Twenty fifth
street.
The present water works are incapable
of meeting the increased demand for
necessary pressure without straining the
machinery-that is, putting it to such use
as increases the liability of breakdowns.
In its present financial condition the
city cannot undertake to put in new
water system on it's own account. The
law inhibits us borrowing the money for
that purpose at this time.
1t is believed that a sufficient pure
water supply flows in the deep gravel
strata east of the city. Driven wells in
that locality, that have been in use to
meet heavy demand for very many
years, do not fail in the slightest degree.
In this condition of affairs the city ad-
vertised for bids tor capitalists to pros
pect the strata at their own cost and with
out dollar of expense to the city. If
they find water in plenty, then the city
proposes to buy it of the prospectors for
term of years, provided that it is micro
scopically and chemically tested and
found pure and potable, and that it so re-
mains under semi-annual or more fire.
quent tests, if necessary.
But it is conditioned that the prospect
ors shall lay a central main from the east
through the heart and length of the city,
a main that will cost the builders from
$4,000 to $4,000. The city does not give
the contractors the right to collect water
rates-on the contrary, the city retains
that right, and simply pays a spot sum
per million gallons delivered. the meas
urement to be taken at the input by
great meter.
This sum is less per million gallons
than the city now expends to draw water
from the river and deliver it to the people,
that is to say in the words of the ordi-
nance:
The cost to the city shall be 9-10 cents per
thousand gallons for each thousand OF gallons
delivered TO the city for the nrst iOOO,OOO,-
600 gallons 2 cents for each LOU sallons
over same .000,0Oo,00o, said contract 10
run for a term of twenty years nom tne cate
of the commencement of the delivery OF water
Hereunder the city TO have the option 10 pnr-
chase the plant by arbitration at the eno OF