San Antonio daily light. [volume] (San Antonio, Tex.) 1886-1907, 1895-04-18
HINDRY's MISTAKE.

Gil, after they have patiently wait
ed for a month for something def
mite from him, reads good deal as
though it was a deliberate attempt
to show the City Council that he
did not intend to pay any attention
to their circumstances. He seems
to be Of the opinion that so long as
he does not ask for any money he
is under no obligations to comply
with the terms Of the contract, and
that the quality Of the materials
used in construction is no ones
business. That sewer contract is
not to be trifled with. In it is inL
yolved the health of this city as
we'll as a few hundred thousand
dollars, and this first is Of great
deal more importance than the
last. The quality Of the material
that is used in the construction Of
these sewers, together with the
care in so laying that no seepage
could ooze through, are Of the
very first consequence. Desira-
BILE as it is that work should
be furnished as many laborers
as possible, this question does not
rank in Importance with that Of
the quality of the material used
and the work of laying. Better by far
throw the entire amount OF that
contract in the San Antonio river
than pay it out for faulty construc-
ton, leaking pipes, ETC., by which
the soil Of the city will be saturated
with sewage and foul eXhalations
arise wherever the lines Of pipe
stretch themselves throughout the
corporate limits. The health Of
the city now and for years to come
is at the mercy Of the contractor,
who seems to have little regard for
the wishes of the people who have
employed him through their legal
agents, the Common Council Of the
city. Th9re is an obligation laid
upon the heads of that Council to
care for the interests Of San AntO-
Mo, and it is one which includes
the health Of the citizens no less
than their pocket books. No SEN
sIble man will be found criticizing
tt e city administration on account
of any delay in the progress OF sewer
construction arising out Of re lection
of improper material or work. The
people want the work done,
they want it done promptly, they
want it done properly and will sac
ritice time to quality every day
that the construction lasts. The
Council is upon its record in this
matter. The people will look to
them to see that their health and
their money are properly guarded
in the contract now existing, or
supposed to exist between the city
and the sewer contractor. There is
no sentiment in a matter Of this
kind. 1t is pure business, first, last
and all the time. The City COun-
Gil has made this contract for the
people, and not for their individual
profit ur pleasure. The interests OF
the city are those for which the
members Of that body are to care,
leaving the contractor to look out
for himself. The people expect
their agent to guard their inter-
ests, preserve the health Of the city
from any danger arising from will
full or negligent disregard Of speci-
fications, and their funds from be-
ing misapplied.
You cannot place high prOtec-
tive tariff on any product that it
does not create a demand for its
production in the country in which
such tariff is levied. Even die
monds are no exception and the
higher duty levied on them has
led to the establishment of cutting
works in this country.
The rain that cOmcth not is as
much desired as Hindry's Letter
was, but when it comes it Will be
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