The sea coast echo. [volume] (Bay Saint Louis, Miss.) 1892-current, 1894-11-24
WATER WORKS.

NINE OF every progressive ana Wlde
awake citizen of our city, yet moth
ing is said or heard from our city
fathers. Can it be possible that this
indispensable necessity will be dis
1 regarded? The absolute need of an
immediate step in this direction is
too prominent for q rehearsal.
Strike while the iron is hot! Tie
fire Of few days ago demonstrated
the helplessness Of our condition in
time Of need and danger ard the cry
for water was on the hps OF every
man who regarded his home, his
freside, the cry is still fresh, for the
fire and its devastation is well re-
membered; but in few more
months-providing repetition does
not occur--people will have forgot
TN, water works will be regarded as
superfluous, and we will be as we
have been, are now and probably
will remain at the mere Y of that
destructive elementl
The geographical position Of our
city, the close proximity Of its
houses makes the sweeping away of
the whole Bay, in our present help
less condition, an ndisputable fact.
What bright prospects for those
who have labored for years to secure
what is dear to the heart of all, a
nome and what protective assuran-
ces to the man contemplating add
ing one more structure TO our city.
The average stranger, who knows
thing or two, woull never invest one
cent Of money in improved real cs-
tate with ''No water work sys-
ten" staring him in the face.
The disadvantages Of our pres
ent condition are mum orous: 1t in
vItes waste, fear aid destruction, be-
sides placing us a the mercy of in
surance companie. We are now,
in some Of our bcalitles, paying
higher rate of interest than is being
asked in larger dties, yes, we may
say in the largest of cities. Are
these the inducements through which
the Bay will encourage immigration 2
Is Bay 81 Lo'n' "Oi'n dotnIngS
Docs ,Ie toll of nearly one century
cou,G for naught2 Are the beauti-
"a structures which are stretched
song its beach but the playthings of
moment? Are the heart wrending
cries which fill the air with the burn
ing Of every home worthy of no con-
sideration? Are the smouldering ash
es of what once afforded pleasure,
safety and shelter pleasing sight2
Is desolation so vely amusing? Than
why encourage it? The crimes of
the sayages in the wilds Of Africa,
are not in their nature, as brutal and
barbarous as the crime which is to-
day inflicted on this community!
Let the person who thinks the Bay
can do without water works go out
on the water, a little distance from
ashore, and obtaina birds eye view
of one of the loveliest sights posi-
hle, let him see almost nine miles of
beautiful homes all in one straight
line, seemingly one large family, a
round these houses are grouped some
stalwart trees of all descriptions pre-
senting truly beautiful and artistic
spectacle, and then imagine his in
spring panorama drawn away by
the work of moment-go home
then, yc apostle of retrogression, and
repent of your grievous error.
Do VIC want more streets simply
that we may have an increase Of
homes and the destruction be great
er? However much the opening OF
streets and promiscuous improve
ment may add to the beauty and de-
velopment of our city they become
unworthy of consideration when the
greater necessity-water work-sug-
gests itself.
DO not let Bay st Louis stand IN
mid air suspended by flimsy thread
the play thing of the sportive winds.
Remove it from the abyss which
yawns ber cath us, Give it the pro-
lection and assurance it deserves as
a city and the common home of those
who have struggled so earnestly and
patiently to elevate her to the posi-.
tion she now occupies. Proclaim Ia
the world that we are leaving the
scattered and rugged dusk, with U
crown of dying rays, for the clear
hight of advancement; announce, in
ringing notes, that this folly shall
be tolerated no longer, that tho
breath of progress beats within us,