The evening herald. [volume] (Shenandoah, Pa.) 1891-1966, 1894-11-03
THE WATER QUESTION.
A Few Thoughts TO Which Taxpayers
Should Give Attention.

Should Give Attention.
The HERALD feels that to let the issue
as TO whether the debt Of this borough
shall be again increased for the purpose Of
constructing public water works 20 be
fore the people on Tuesday next without
an expression of the papers sentiment
would be objectionable neglect. There
are times when the sentiments of news.
paper very much assists doubtful mind
and we believe there are many minds
in doubt as to the advisabllity of the pre-
posed increase. If space would permit
several columns could be filed with sound,
logical arguments against the increase,
We must be brief. There has not been an
act on the part Of the borough authorities
in connection with the public water works
that has created the slightest confidence
Ia their ability to ultimately give the
borough the works promised On the con-
trary nearly every promise made by the
promoters has been broken and every es-
innate upon which the promises were and
are based stands before the public
to-day admittedly false. When the first
request for an increase was made
the official address in support Of it
set forth that 1--WE present to you for
your consideration our work in the past
the prospective work necessary for the
| COMPLETION of water works and
what amounts will be required to COM
PLETE the same" This declaration proved
a deception. The works were to have
been COMPLETED for S93, 600, there has al
ready been expended upon them at least
Sl1G,COO, and yet 600 more is asked for
What guarantee have the people that
they will not be called upon for a third
or fourth increase Some of the Coun-
| cilmen say the works are about COM
| pleted, but only on last Thursday night
| Councilman Gable announced at meet
| ing of the Borough Council that the
| breastwork at Davis Run. which broke
once and has only just been repaired, is
| leaking again. Further than this, not
length of pipe laid in the ground has
been tested and the people in authority
are as much 10 the dark as to whether
the pipes are ready to receive water as
anyone who has had nothing whatever to
do with the project.
The water company has made a fair,
business-like proposition to the people
and If they are wise they will accept it.
II the borough eau to-day sell its plant
to the water company at anywhere near
what has actually been expended upon it,
by all means let a sale be made We
have repeatedly predicted, and we say
now, that the water works will always be
a hot bed of political iobbery; a tool
fashioned after the spoils system by
which the question as to who shall be a
policeman, or supervisor, always controls
the elections of Councilmen in the bor-
ough.
Some people have asked what will be-
come of the work the borough has eX-
pended on the plant. The problem is by
no means difficult one. If the people
should not vote down the proposed second
increase of debt the work expended by
} the borough will be calculated as it
should be, as part of the actual cost of
the plant as far as completed and form a
part of the amount fixed as the purchase
price, which the water company suggests
be done by appraisement.
Another thing, we do not believe the
people can legally vote to increase the
borough debt at the election on Tuesday.
The arrangements for the election pro-
vide that the voter shall vote for the in
crease of debt and his respective candi-
dates for Office by casting one ballot.
Mark this Judge Ewing last Wednes-
day handed down at Pittsburg decision
which sets at rest a question that has
bothered number of cities and boroughs
of the state. In suit brought by Mill
vale borough to determine whether or not
a separate ballot should be used when a
vote is taken on proposed increase of in.
debtedness. Judge Ewing decided that a
separate ballot must be used He further
decided that the county commissioners are
not under any obligations to furnish bal
lots for the debt vote
This decision is clear and should the is
sue of an increased debt prevail at next
Tuesdays election we haven't the slight
est doubt that it will precipitate months
of litigation in the courts again and ulti
mately result in the overthrow of the re
suit at the polls.