Abilene weekly reflector. [volume] (Abilene, Kan.) 1888-1935, 1895-03-21
Mr.. coYE's POSITION,
He Makes Frank Statement on
Watcrworks and Other Matters.

Watcrworks and Other Matters.
70 he Citizens Of .AJileae:
In my remarks before the Citizens
convention accepting their nomina.
ton for mayor Of the city Of Abilene
50 kindly extended to me, | took oc-
casion to state that II elected would
use, with the cooperation Of the colin-
Gil, every possible means to honestly
and economically administer the af-
fairs Of the city, and endeavor to
leave its financial condition in such
shape as to win the approval Of all.
Under ordinary circumstances such
a statement coming from candidate
unanimously named in 50 representa-
tive q convention would be sufficient,
and but for the fact that the city gov
ernment to be elected in April next
will exercise a larger permanent in
iluencc upon the welfare Of our city
than any following one for many
years, should not 60 beyond such
statement now.
The great Importance, however, Of
one matter which must be dealt with
by the incoming administration and
the feeling that the views Of q candi-
date concerning that matter should
be Of public record and not left to the
doubts and uncertainties Of current
rumor and report leads me to the fol-
lowing statement Of my positions;
The existing agreement with the
Wa!erworks company is temPoraryin
its nature and terminates during the
next mayoralty term. | am informed
that il Is the understanding Of the
Waterworks company that upon the
expiration Of this temporary contract
the original conditions Of the fran
chisc rs 10 price and terms Of pay
mcnt come again in force.
Upon This basis the annual cost to
the city will be in round numbers
$1,000. Under the law cities Of the
second class cannot levy for general
purposes a tax greater than ten mills
on the dollar in any one year.
The present valuation Of the taxa
bic property in the city is 1869, l4s.26
and a tax levied up to the limit would
yield only S,G9l.lS general revenue.
1t will thus be seen that the single
item Of water rents under the fran
chise status will considerably more
than consume the entire revenue OF
the city useablc for general purposes
Can the city afford to 90 on indch-
nltely IN this manner using all, and
more than all It's revenue for one pur-
pose and leaving all other matters
however important they may DO,
wholly unpriNlded Tor, Or turcing the
city officials TO convert the Iunls in
tended for Other purposes TO these
uses, thus rendering themselves por-
sonally liable for the wronpa
II will be the duty Of the next
mayor and board Of councilmcn to 50
deal with this problem as to place
our relations with The Waterworks
on permanent basis, and
the lasting consequences that must
follow from u iudicious or an iniudi-
cious adjustment Of this single rela-
tlon Of the city will far outweigh for
good or for evil oil else that Tho nd
ministratlon can accomplish. As to
my position there need be no unucr-
Lainty in the mind Of anyone.
believe the rental named in the
water franchise and sought to be en-
forced, after the expiration of the
agreement, to be largely
IN excess Of that which Is fair and
equitable.
believe that every effort should be
made to reach Il contract with the
running fora term Of years
sufficiently long to he regarded as
settlement Of the matter, and fixing n
'ontal small enough no that the gen
,ral revenue will meet both II and all
,ther general expenses Of the city.
such contract to be submitted to II
vote Of the citizens before final adop-
ion, Legislative authority for such
'ote being obtained IN case none now
,xsts
In case Of refusal Of the water COM
,any to enter into such contract the
sspectivc rights Of the city and the
Water company should be determined
" the courts In such manner as may
70 decided upon by the city council
'iter giving full public hearing to any
nd all citizens who may care to adj
'isc with them upon the subject.
n my judgment the nearer this con-