The herald., 1893-06-08
THAT LAND SCHEME FAILED.
The Council Refused to Buy the
Headworks Property.
The Matter Fully Discussed at the
Meeting Yesterday.
The Project Voted Down by Vote of
Five to Three-A Lively Argu-
ment-Other Matters Con-
stdered.

An adjourned meeting Of the council
was held yesterday afternoon at o'clock
in the city hall. All the mem bers were
present with the exception of Mr.. Pes
sell.
After the calling of the roll the SUBJ
ject of the purchase of land on the
Providencia ranch, on which to erect
the headworks for the supply of water to
the city, was brought before the council.
The city attorney reported that the
title to the land was good, and he also
presented an ordinance permitting the
city to purchase the land.
Mr.. Munson moved that action be
taken on the subject at once.
Mr.. Nickel stated the fact that he had
been away from the city for sometime
and that he did not understand all about
it. II do not object to the city buying
this land at all, but / do object and
would not vote that 100000 be paid for
it,"
Mr.. Innes rose and said that he was
rurprised to hear Mr. Nickel say he did
not understand about the bonds. He
denied the fact that the council was be-
ing crowded into hasty decision. We
are here today, chosen by the people to
do duty, which it is their wish to be
contaminated.
II challenge any one to say that any
citizen opposes the purchase of these
bonds but the City Water Co., and their
intimate friends. The citizens of this
city are with us today and desire the
purchase of this ground"
A.. .ol~o 81 l. 1
of the city and people he represented
and said, Elm this purchase of land l
claim that the injunction served on it
today put different face ON it. l be-
lieve that 5000 will buy that land 10
years hence, and it will do it then be-
cause it would be worth no more at that
time. l am willing that the land be
bought and paid for from the proceeds
of the bonds, but l don't believe in
paying out money which we have not
yet gotten"
Mr.. Marlz, one of the taxpayers, pro-
tested that he thought the council was
acting hastily in the purchase of this
land. 'When the land should be
owned by the city," said he, "there
would be no additional money on hand
to build the works, and if the bonds
won't sell, we may have this land lying
idle on our hands. 1 think if we at
tempt again to buy it, when in better
condition financially, it can be pur-
chased easily. l voted for the bonds
last time, but am apprehensive that
they may not be voted by the citizens
again. 1 consider $4,000 fair price
for the land"
Mr.. Nickel just here stated in a very
forcible manner that he was heartily in
faver of buying the land, but he was not
present for advocating the buying of q
piece of ground we don't know
whether we can use or not.
Mr.. Munson seemed to think that ii
tho oitu didu,t taba tha1 land -.~-- Al q
probability was they would never be
able TO get it. "Mr. NickeIl," said he,
Says we can get it any time, but if be
bad been in the city and knew the feel
ing and the antsgonistic attempts of the
City Water company. think he would
change his opinion. If the City Water
company gets control of it there is no
telling what the city may be compelled
to pay for it in the future. This subject
of purchase has been before the council
for long time, and has been thoroughly
considered, and 1 think it should be
definitely settled now. The land should
be purchased"
In response to a question from the
chair Mr.. Rhodes said that the property
had been offered to the city for $25, 900
by Mr.. Pomeroy. "Now, however, !"
said he, "there is Mr.. Hooker to deal
with, and the price has risen. II we
lose this opportunity of purchasing it,
the probability is that when we are COM
pelled to buy, its owner at that time will
increase its price very largely"
DR.. Campbell said he had been on both
committees and had looked into the
matter of the funds thoroughly, and ad-
ded: 81 know we have sufficient money
to buy this land. This proposition is not
on ordinary land it is on the proposi-
tion of buying land by means of which
the city can better be supplied with
water. want just here to be placed on
record as being in favor OF purchasing
this land"
On request of Mr.. Munson, City En-
gineer Dockweiler gave an exhaustive
description af the character of the works
it was intended to erect. and stated WHY
the ownership OF the land in question
was of vital Importance to the city. "We
are getting sufficient land by this pur-
chase" said he, ito furnish the city
with water for all time, and we can get
80 feet higher than the Crystal Springs
company, and that will give much great
er pressure in the pipes than in those
owned by the City Water company. The
City Water company has been paying
Pomeroy and Hooker So day for the
right to carry water across this land,
and if that is figured out it will be found
to be per cent on $50 1000"
Mr.. Munson referred to an old suit
brought IL years ago, in order to pre-
vent any one from obtaining water
rights, and which was now lying DOR
mant in the courts, with chance of
being called up at any time.
Mr.. Nickel said: "The point now is
that we don't need the land at present.
We don't know whether we can use it
or not. I don't believe in taking $780,
600 0of the city's money for that purchase.
We may use the land in q few years and
can buy it them"
The city engineer then said in reply:
Suppose the people will vote the bonds
for us to build the water works, where
will we be able to find the land 2''
Mr. Nickel then very veh0mentlv do