Evening journal., 1893-03-06
LETTERS FROM THE PEOPLE.


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nTr. Carpenter Replies to Mr.. Murray.
To the Editor Of the EVENING Journal.
SIR.-"Where Ignorance is bliss It's
folly to be wise, and at Mr. Murray's
request answer his communication Of
March 4th wherein he displays such a
total Ignorance Of city affairs that IL Is
surprising he never attained a seat in the
City Council, but have no doubt that
his constituents will not return him, If
may Judge from the vote he received at
the nomination for Levy Court Commits
sioner. In the first place he shows great
cencern for the mechanics and working
men and that they are oppressed by the
building of sewers under the present
law. That is Just where Mr.. Murray is
mistaken, and no one knows better than
he does, or ought to know, as be was in
the Board Of Street and Sewer Directors
when the law was framed, that the
charges were originally 81 per foot,
front, on all lots no matter how
deep-which was manifestly unjust, as a
person owning shallow lot, say seventy
five feet deep, paid the same price for
sewer as the one owning O lot 100 feet deep
and having double the amount of drain
age-and in order TO equalize the charges
the price per foot front was reduced to
| City cents and the area assessed which
certainly operates in favor of the small
lot owner, for whom Mr. Murray shows
so much concern in his letter. The
question then naturally arises, Is not
Mr. Murray the individual that seeks to
escape from the lawl / remember his
settling sewer lien which had been
standing against his property ten or fif-
teen years for fifty cents on the dollar,
and profting by that he now seeks to
have the present law amended by
making the price 80 low that he can
se tile lien now standing for sewer at
| thirty-three-an one third cents on the
dollar. Just here might ask Mr. Muir
ray how sewers can be built without
taxes or assessments2 BY assessments
the party benefited pays for the sewer
when he gets It, whereas he may pay
taxes for life and derive no benefit from
them Which rs tho greatest hardship
Certainly the yearly tax Mr. Murray
further displays his knowledge of public
affairs when he speaks OF the cost OF
lateral branches of sewers he knows
that the city Is laid off in what is called
sewer districts or water sheds and the
cost Is estimated for an entire district.
the city paying two fifths and the abut.
ting property three hfths This being
the proportion of private property tC
public streets u Is the most just and
equitable division Then again Mr. Muir
ray speaks of the 5000, 600 asked
for this year He ought TO know
that this is for paving and
improving streets and cannot be used
for sewers. If he will read the act he
I will be- fully informed about that. Hi.
except sewer liens, which, If his amend
, ment Chat has not received the approval
/, of single member of CounciD become,
law It will wipe out $4s00O of lien,
. now on the lien book for sewers, which
are being collected at the rate of $6Ol
per week and take all Of this years ap
, preparation TO reimburse those that have
paid under the operation OF the present
law, hich in Justice TO them the city
will be obliged to refund. / can als'
p assure Mr. Murray that there viii be No
y intercepting sewers or pumping stations
, built for some years and when they arr
done it will meet the approval of the ta'
, payers. don't know whom he meant
bv my trusted lieutenant.
but should not think he could get mucl
information about sewers in Dublin o
Belfast. or Mr. Murray would know
more about them j have no doubt h'
would profit by a visit to Paris and Lon
don suppose Mr. Murray is the 'maI
r up the tree, as be does not seem TO under
p stand a single thing he is writing about
p II he Is the Council bis bill is unauimousl.
4 endorsed. In conclusion, il Mr. Murray
will write facts shall be glad TO answer
. him. otherwise / will not appear in prin
D i'm answer to anything he may hereafte
a have to say. JossPH l. CARPENTER, Ji
Wilmington March @ 1893