River Falls journal. [volume] (River Falls, Pierce County, Wis.) 1872-2019, 1893-05-11
Water Works Meeting.

AS Will be seen in another column a
meeting of the citizens is called for
Friday evening to discuss the question
OF water supply. No more important
matter has arisen for a public and
friendly conference than this since
the day when it was proposed to make
a liberal subscription to ensure the
location of the Normal School, and it
Is earnestly hoped that everybody will
be present. Those who desire a good
water supply should be present and
add to the information to be elected
on the subject and TO ensure as far as
may be good water. Those who are
doubtful should come to have doubts
removed il possible and to enable
them TO decide understandingly upon
the matter. Those who are opposed
should by all means be present as now
Is the time to urge valid objections
and it must be true with a citizenship
like ours that those who do not be-
lieve in waterworks have a good rea-
son for their objections. 1t is hoped
that one or more gentlemen from
abroad may be present to give actual
experience and results from installa-
ton OF waterworks in places about the
size of our own.
1t is one of the necessities of mod
ern civilization to have good water in
abundance. The old oaken bucket
however picturesque in appearance
and poetical in description belongs to
the romantic past. The less esthetic
but more convenient faucet in easy
reach with its accompanying advanta-
~ hot lax. HI
has come in its place and its use is
widening everywhere. But more than
this is the fact, that wells in growing
villages soon become contaminated
and sources of disease and one pollut-
ed well may cost in lives and money
more than very extensive system of
water works.
Then too the tendency to crowd
buildings together adds to the danger
of CONGREGATIONS and the only remedy
which can be effectually supplied is
that of water and plenty of it. More
than enough property has been de-
strOyed in this city by CONGREGATIONS
which could have been arrested
with enough less damage had water
been abundant TO pay for water
mains TO every house in the city. Nor
is it the most agreeable work in the
world to pump water by means of a
hand engine to extinguish fire, and
American love of easee doesn't take
kindly TO this kind of labor in these
days of steam. 1t cannot be denied
that water rushing from a hydrant
impelled by the force of good head
will be a much more acceptable means
of putting out fire than our primitive
engine or more primitive buckets,
good as they each are in their place
and effective as they have been in the
hands of willing workers. both men
and women. By all means therefore
come, one and all, men and women and
even youth, to hear what can be said
for and against waterwoTks.
There are many advantages on the
side of good system of water~works.
At the same time there are reasonable
objections that may well be urged.
One, and the principal one. is undoubt-
eddy that of cost. The city is now
without any debt. Many of our citi.
zens, economical and prudent in their
private affairs, believe in applying the
same principles to the city govern
ment. Possibly the cost of reaching all
portions of the city will be too great.
But full attendance and frank and
friendly discussion pro and con are
desirable, and may clear up many
things now in doubt.