The Democratic advocate. [volume] (Westminster, Md.) 1865-1972, 1893-07-01
IS THE CONTRACT LEGAL ,
Controversy Between the City of westmin-
ster and the Westminster Water Company.

The question of the legality of the contract
between the Mayor and Council of Westn1n-
ster and the Westminster Water Works Com
pany is likely to be settled in the courts.
The water company has asked for sum Of
money from the city, part of the proceeds
of the five cents tax on the property in the
city levied for water. The treasurer was in
strueted by the Mayor not to pay il over, with
out an order of the Mayor and Council. On
Monday night the matter will come up before
the Council, and if the Council declines to
pay over the money claimed the company
will likely take legal process TO make them
do so. The questions then that will come up
will be-was the contract with the water com
pany in accordance with the act of 1876; il
so, has the Council power to levy the five
cents on the 800 for water purposes, since
the act of 1876 authorizing it was repealed
by the adoption of the code of 1888. 1t is q
question, too, so it is said, whether the courts
would hold as valid contract that requires a
levy of FIVE cents on the 500 of taxable prop
erty of corporation forever. Further, it is
said that it is a question whether a company
that is chartered to furnish water for West
the property of the city, has right to supply
water to citizens living outside the corporate
limits.
The questions involved are very nice ones,
aud if the matter gets into the courts the
arguments will be interesting.
The people of Westminster would like to
get rid of the contract that provides for levy
forever of FIVE cents on the 800 for the bene-
fit of the water company. If the contract is
valid, the tax is perpetual, no matter what
increase there is in the basis. There is no
disposition, or should not be any, to deal I'M
fairly or unjustly with the water company.
The water it furnishes is excellent and the
supply is abundant, and the great benefit is
duly appreciated.
The city ought to have another contract,
whereby fixed perpetual tax is not required,
but the city should deal literally with the
water company.
Manchester Items.
AIDA Hanson, aged years, daughter Of
Walter Hanson of this place, fell from q
cherry tree on Friday Of last week, and sus
tanned compound fracture of her left arm
Just above the elbow. DR.. Jas. Il. Preston
was called and found the end of the fractured
bone protruding through the flesh, and that
the ragged edges had severed all the arteries
except one. He succeeded in reducing the
| fracture and has hopes of saving the arm.
Jacob Baublitz, for several years repair
hand on the Baltimore & 2eisterstown Turn
pike Company, began to show signs of menta
weakness several weeks ago. On Tuesday Of
last week measures had to be taken to have
him removed to some institution, and upor
complaint preliminary proceedings were in
stituted before Justice j. p. Baltozer, who
committed Baublitz to Jail. On Friday a
Jury inquirendo adjudged him insane and ht
was committed to the Almshouse for the
present
Godfrey Berwager lost valuable hors'
last week from brain fever, and Jacob A
Frederick lost valuable young mare las
Wednesday from quincy.
Protective Lodge No. G5 |. o. U. A. NJ
] elected the following officers at there semi
annual election last Tuesday evening: G.
Harry Lamotte; V. c., Edward Brilliant, II
| Becker; F. s., Franklin Brilliant; Treas, A
|. Brilliant; c., Harry Sullivan; W, Simon
Shutz; |. g., J. W. Trump; 0. g., Anthem!
/ ShutZ.