San Antonio daily light. [volume] (San Antonio, Tex.) 1886-1907, 1894-07-27

/. WOLF SON.

the mains: nor is it probable that the
day will ever dawn when any but the
plumbers will undertake the Job and reap
the benefit. Yes, but we can't afford it
now, times are too hard" Well even The
Express has been predicting great tidal
wave OF prosperity IN the fall. The sewer
system will not be ready for connections
at least before next spring and probably
not before a year in many sections.
Our citizens will by that time be in the
very best condition TO undertake this
extra expense. For some hOuseholders
the expense will not be much more than
the present system. 1t is undoubtedly
true that ii may work hardShipS on some
small property owners. So do sidewalks
and street improvements. Nevertheless
the rule of the greatest good to the
greatest number" must be applied.
Again it is objected that our paved streets
will be torn up. the relaying of which
will entail heavy extra expense. Yes. and
every years delay bringing further neceS-
Sary Improvements in our streets will in
crease this item Of expense. Fortunate
ly we have but made a beginning in that
direction and the time is on that account
prOpitiouS for eutaiing minimum
amount of damage. 1t is asserted that
our taxes will not te increased. Well,
suppose they would be; have We not re-
peatedly boosted that our tax rate is far
lower than any other city in Texas? Can
we not therefore go little higher for the
sake of obtaining so necessary reform in
our sanitation?
The only two objections which strike
me as at all TO be seriously considered are
the suspicion of political dishonesty and
the question of the legality of the propoS
ed bonds. 1t is said that an election is
near at hand and it is intimated that the
great work is 10 be used as political
ND knN . hA f,,,l g 10 ,fEn
prOpriated. That charge has always been
and always will be made by political OPP
DonentS. In fact, the two years of any
one administration would hardly be suf-
ticient to cover this great work from the
voting OF bonds to completion of the Sys-
TEN. 1t would be difficult to arrange the
matter so as not to lap over into a second
term Consequently II political suspicion
is always to stand in the way Of great
public improvements, then is San An
tonic to be pitied. Furthermore, it
does not seem credible that
set of prominent citizens like
Mayor Paschal, Henry Elmendorf,
Daugherty or Others OF like standing
could dare to trade their future happi-
ness and character in their hands and
sacrifice all their honor to conspiracy
| for Doodle! Where, and when, then, will
we find men we can trust? ! remember
lnQeeO, bndJ JnbSe SAME seuJleuleU WeTe
most highly endorsed by the Express be-
fore their election. Have they been cor
rupted by so short political life? And
! yet | know from conversations here and
! there that this consideration will go far
Their to defeat the proposition than all
other reasons combined. Here is a grand
opportunity for the Council to prove its
disinterestedness and unSelfishneSS by
| following out some such suggestion as
has been made by "A. b. C."-namely to
appoint a committee, composed
partly of Council members and
partly of business and professional
men of unimpeachable integrity, who
shall thoroughly investigate the whole
matter and then go ahead with
the work according to their best iudg-
meat. If such a step is taken before the
election there can be no doubt as to the
favorable Issue.
Can the city legally bond itself for the
purpose? There seems to be a real diff
Guilty here which our honorable Mayor
certainly ought to have positively and
authOritively cleared up. Meanwhile the
election is ordered and we can at least vote
, AYE" We, as citizens shall then have
done what we could to place ourselves in
the van Of intelligent and, II need be,