The Seattle post-intelligencer. [volume] (Seattle, Wash. Terr. [Wash.]) 1888-1914, 1894-07-14
AN AFFECTING PETITION.
All the Powers OF the Universe Asked
to Give Water.

to Give Water.
The following petition for more water In
the district overlooking Lake Washington
in the eastern half of the city contains q
serious request originally expressed:
ITO the Honorable the City Council of
the City of Seattle-GentleRlen Some time
last summer had the honor, or temerity,
to present TO the then dominant powers
petition signed by every resident of our
district, with the exception of one OF Demo-
cratic proclivities who carries a bland
smile. bald head, bay window, soiled
shirt collar and some 200 odd pounds
avoirdupoise, setting forth the inadequscyl
of the water supply in that portion of the
city north of Iesler avenue, along Wyck-
off, Clarence, Carroll, Aldine and Lincoln
streets and Drexel avenue, embracing
Summit, Washington Heights, Rosedale.
Randell's first and second and various
other additions, the names of which are
TO this affiant unknown, and unnecessary
to mention, the correctness of the state
ments in said petition needing no
further proof than casual
inspection. which IL Is the object of this
communication 10 urge your honorable
body TO make. A summary OF those state
nents is this: That this comprises one of
the finest residence portions OF the city,
and some of the finest residences, for
against fire, the entire water supply being
through two-inch main To which an en-
CINE hose cannot be attached that the water
supply is wholly inadequate for culinary
and drinking purposes, while our lawns
and gardens are left as dry as the aver
age ward politician. The past tweuty-four
hours may be taken as a fair average dur.
ing warm weather, not drop of water
being in the pipes from $50 D. IN. yester-
day until $3.50 q. IN. today, the entire sup
ply being exhausted by those fortunately
near the head of the pipe. AS the exces-
sive heat and the dusty condition OF the
streets enhance thirst, and our wonderland
children from force of habit use water as
beverage. its total absence engenders suf-
fering that We are anxious to appease.
This condition of affairs the Demo-
cratic board could not appreciate, so our
petition found a resting place among the
promises of municipal reform They
knew that our section contained some
prominent Democrats, and recognizing no
needs, wants or desires on the part of any
others. naturally concluded that water
was not needed, but our Democracy, with
the exception OF the one first above men,
toned, is not of the unwashed, Henry
Clav-Dean brand, but use water for laundry
purposes as we'll as for cooking, and doubt
less would use ii on their lawns if there
was any TO use. / wish TO impress upon
that carried you TO your present exalted
position has been dissipaied without Ieav-
ing drop of water on our dusty streets
and the result Of that election shut off the
immense how of beer that immediately
preceded 1t, while the coming campaign
will not have passed the incipient hand
shaking period tor some weeks vet. SO
water is now an imperative necessity.
Since the introduction of the social ed
water service into our portion of the city
the only regularity attending it has been
the regular failure of the supply when
most needed and the regular collection
of the water rates. which latter, beg to
inform your honors, is defined in legal
phrase as obtaining money under false
pretenses.' While assured by "A number of
your honorable body that there would be
a reduction in rates for the current month
/ beg to impress upon you that IL is not
the water rates about which we are now
solieitous, but the water itself, the great
supply of which youchsafed TO as by the
Creator being beyond our reach and the
city failing in ats contract TO bring it
nearer, We can only have the satisfaction of
gazing on the PLACID bosom of Lake Wash
ington and breathing, in the language of
the poet, so near and yet 50 farP
II, therefore, most humbly and respect
fully ask that you resurrecs said peIitIon
and grant ITS prayer, or send IL up TO the
highest source through the regular chan
nels, to-wit: His Highness Hon. Byron
Phelps, the mayor; His ExceIiency John
III. MeGras, the governor; HIS Majesty
Grover Cleveland, the president; His
kind In general. Most humbly and re-
specially your obedient servant,
III. y kEKsE
Seattle. July II 1884,"