Baxter Springs news. [volume] (Baxter Springs, Kan.) 1882-1919, 1895-02-09
FREE WATER AND LIaHTs.

PURSUANT I'D call u ulcctiHS WIS hSiu
in the Odd Fellows building on
Main street Monday night. A good
ly number of tax payers were pres
ent and a good meeting was the
result. Ira c. Perkins was chosen
chairman of the meeting and Chas.
L. Smith secretary. W. II. Hornor
stated the object of the meeting and
made a strong talk in favor of the
city owning its own water works
and electeic ligth plant. He said
that at present the city was unable
to do this and gave reasons with
which our people are all familiar
Mr.. Hornor pointed out that mater
ial and labor were never so cheap
as now and believed this to be the
time to consider these important
matters. He said he had had esti-
mates made at different times as to
the cost of water works plant for
Baxter Springs and had arrived at
the conclusion that system of
water works with four miles of
mains could be put in at a cost ne t
to exceed $i5O0o. Mr.. Hornor also
spoke about the necessity of the
city owning an electric light plant.
He said that plant which would
pay "a good profit to private indi-
viduals would be good thing for
the city to own. Mr.. Hornor said
that Peirce City, Mo-, owns her own
lighting plant and that last year
incandescent lights of 10 candle
power cost the citizens of that place
10 cents per light per month.
There is no debut that $15C0
would put in good system of
water works. Neither is there any
doubt that system of water works
would bring the city revenue of
$500 per year. Interest on $l5CO
at Q per cent would be 500. The
cost of maintenance and repairs
would not exceed 5000 thus making
an expense of $l,5O0 per year to the
city, leaving $1,000 per year to be
applied OH the principal. OF cleo
trio lights we will talk later, but
wouldn't it be a good idea to have
water works after awhile especially
if we can have them without increas-
ing taxes cent! We believe the
proposition is so plain that even a
blind man can see through it. Water
for any dwelling house would not
cost to exceed SIS per year. Do you
want water works? II so. think
about this matter and be prepared
to express an opinion when asked
to do SO. The following bill has
been prepared by Mr.. Hornor and
will be sent to Col. Alexander War
ner, representative from this dis
trict, who will endeavor to have the
same passed by the Legislature:
An act to authorize the City of
Baxter Springs, RI nsas, to issue
bonds for the purchase or erec-
ton of an electric light and
H'afer works plant for the use of
said city.
BE it enacted by the Legislature of
the State of Kansas.
SEC. l. The City of Baxter Springs,
Kansas, is hereby authorized to
erect. purchase and own system
of water works and an electric light
plant for the use of said city. Pro-
vided, that upon presentation TO
the mayor and councilmen of said
city of Baxter Springs, Kansas, of
petition signed by majority of the
electors of said city, requesting that
said city shall construct or pur-
chase an electric light or water
works plant or both, and stating the
of bonds to be issued for
said purpose. Said city is hereby
to issue the bonds of said
city as prayed for in said petition
in sum or sums not exceeding in
the aggregate $4,000. to be used for
said purpose. Said bonds to draw
not exceeding @ per centinterest per
annum and said bonds to be pay
able any time notexceeding 30 years
from date.
SEC. 2. Said city is authorized to
fix by ordinance such charges for
water supply. electric light and
power, as may be necessary 10
maintain and operate such plants,
and pay the interest on said bonds
and sinking fund to pay said bonds
and no more.
SEC. 3. All funds arising from
said water works and electric light
plant shall be kept as a special fund
and applied as follows; first, main
tenance and running expenses;
second, interest on bonds; third,
fund to pay said bonds.
SEC. 4. All laws in conflict with
this act are hereby repealed.
SEC. 5. This act snail take effect
and be in force from and after it's
in the official state
paper.
We will have more to say about
this matter from time to time.
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