The record-union., 1893-09-12

the person entering into the contract
agreeing to furnish the city with water,
subject TO the powers of the board to fix
water rates, etc, under Section l of
Article XIV. of the Constitution.
In accordance with the general views
above expressed, I advise,
u. That You may enter into contract
for the supply OF pure water to the city
independently of any vote that may have
been cast at the recent election.
-. That said contract should not confer
any special privileges and should not be
1or term exceeding fifty years.
.. That said contract should not state
any minimum amount of water to be
take taken by the gIy during any period Of
-. That when said contract is made it
will be subject to the general powers of
the board, under Section l of Article
XIV. of the Constitution. to annually
| regulate the rate Of compensation to be
paid, and
-. That the board should Immediately
after entering into said contract provide
by ordinance for the collection from con-
sumers of water rates sufficient at all
I times to provide the treasury with a
sufficient amount of money to meet all
/ demands for water supplies under said
| contract"
NO FURTHER HITCHES.
The Mayor said the lawyers had de-
| clded just as Mr.. Conklin thought they
would with reference to the obligation
clause. This, of course, would require a
| two-thirds vote of the people. But, he
said. he understood that Mr. Fish was
willing to eliminate the clause requiring
a guarantee of 200 from the contract,
| thus brushing aside the only obstacle in
| the way of cOnsummating the contract.
Mr.. Fish and Judge Holl nodded af-
/ hrinatlVely, and then Clerk Young read
the resolution awarding the contract 1t
| mad been slightly amended at the sug-
gestlon OF MI Conllliu last week, so that
( the contractors would be compelled to
furnish not less than forty pounds of
pressure in all cases Of ire. Il is a
| lengthy document and binds Mr.. Fish
very closely. lie must proceed at once to
run 30-inch main down l. street to the
water front, from the eastern city limits.
lie has nothing to say whatever as to
what the rates TO consumers shall he, his
connection with the business ending
when he puts the water into the mains.
The city is not bound to pay for pint Of
water more than is used, either. The
quality of water must be kept up to a
high standard constantly, or the con-
tract ends.
There was some talk as to the proper
method Of signing the contract, but it
was decided that a resolution would have
to be passed authorizing the Mayor to
sign it in behalf of the city. Mr.. Green
made a motion TO that effect, and it was
carried.
Clerk Young called attention to the
fact that there was no eight-hour clause
in the cOntract-that is, that there was
nothing to bind Mr.. Fish to obey the law
against working his men over eight hours
a day.
Judge HoIl said there would be no
trouble on this score. The eight-hour
matter was the law already, and per-
force became part Of the contract.
Later in the day Nh Fish and the
Mayor met and the latter signed the con-
tract.
Just before the water election it was
urged by some people that it was not fair
to allow an outsider to come here and get
contract to supply the city with water.
\. l.. Fish, who secured the contract,
authorizes the statement that he is per-
fectly willing that Sacramentans should
take the stock in the company that VIII
be formed to supply the water under the
contract; i'll fact he would rather that
Sacramentans would take it, as he is in
the business OF setting up pumping
plants, not operating them. Here is an
opportunity torlail who felt aggrieved to
come to the front and own the plant
themselves. Mr.. Fish says he makes
this statement to correct a wrong inn
preston.