The diamond drill. (Crystal Falls, Iron County, Mich.) 1887-1996, 1895-01-05
NOT A SHOT FIRED
And Still Roberts Holds the
Water Works Fort.
The Common Council VIII Not Ter
inmate Mr. Roberts Contract
BY Forclble Means.

BY FCrcible means.
The morn Of tie New Year did not
present spectacle OF blood ut the Crys-
tai Falls electric light and water works
plant, as many people had half, hendish-
lv, half awlully, anticipated. In other
words, the common council OF the village
Of Crystal Falls relented It's assertion
that the plant would pass into village
control on the first day Of the new year,
whether peaceabe means or wariike
measures were required 10 accomplish |
that purpose.
The history OF the "watcr works war
has been heretofore recorded in these
columns aud needs repetition at this time
no further than TO state the council was
determined 60 wrest from G. I. Roberts
the contract upon which tile plantisno
being operated. The members OF the
council and especially MIR. Sweeney, the
president, made charges specific ana
otherwise 81 gross violations on the
part ol Mr. Roberts oi the provisions oi
the contract. They, therefore, refused
at The outsct, TO recognize Mr.. Roberts
notice Of continuance and proposed to
take immediate possession. a sober
second thought, however, has evidently
suggested 10 the council that mere
allegation ON the part of one party to a
transaction does not necessarily consti-
tutc n truth that viii hear the friction oI
Justice. While in equity it may stand
inviolate, 10 eradicate partial decisions
from this world Of controversy all civil
lied people have established tribunals oi
: Justice 10 place upon the claims OF one oi
The parties to controversy the seal oi
the laws approval. These are homcly
truths, yet they are, nevertheless, OBJ
+ yiouslv aNioms that for some time
escaped the observation of the common
, council, unless, peichance, the aioremen
y toned honorable body was "standinl
pat with nine-spot high
With honor where honor is due, il i
4 only lnir TO state TINT the common
e council refused at the eleventh hour t'
Ie make a spectacle Of itself 10y deiying tia
G. law inthc premises. The body has de
le cidcd TO forward the matter ON squar
business principles and cndcavor TO AZ
l. rive IL nm amicablc settlement of th
IA points at difference. A committee cor
10 rosod Of Nlessrs. Ed. Sweeney and ;. I
G. Handy has been appointed Tor tha
purp gsc.
IL Mr.. Roberts states that he has n
N especial desire 60 continue the contrac
i further than 20 secure himself iinanciall
il in the premises. lie has n large quantIi
OF wood on hand and is bound 10y cor
tract 10 receive considerable addition
!, amount. This would be an elephant q
!. his hands in case be relinquished Il
IN contract unless provision for the sa
OF the samc 60 the operators OF the plar
was made. The contract Is not
IN moncy.makcr in the broad sem
at of the term, he asserts. lie h'
ac therefore submitted TO the coun,
lp. committee proposition. volunteeril
10 relcase the village from the contrn
ar provided that his wood be received az
lr. paid for at the plant at the rate ofSl.I
els pcr cord and that all moneys due NJ
Roberts from the village be pnid on {
ON. surrender of the contract. These tcrr
M appear To bc very literal
ms The principal grievance oi the couw
seems to bc in that it finds thccxpcnse
maintaining the street lights too heavy
burden IN these times oihmited rcvenu'
III While this is an unfortunate conditi
ing, il is not the fault Of the lessee oi I
oili- plant His bargain was based on
, Il. consideration that the street igl
rect would net him a certain s.
in and he ought not be compel
to be thus mulcted Tor deficit
the village treasury, caused 10y thcpro
gacy Of the present councils prcdcccss