Grant County herald. [volume] (Lancaster, Wis.) 1850-1968, 1895-07-04
water VOLS.

The voters OF Lancaster Will soon
be called upon to decide whether this
city shall be bonded to the legal limit
for a system OF water works. Such a
system has advantages. 1t would be
a safeguard against many forms of
fever and disease. 1t i well known
that many, perhaps most Of the fevers
and contagious diseases that affiict
humanity, are brought on or aggra-
waited BY a contaminated water up
ply.
Numerous analy ses have shown that
the wells in Lancaster do not furnish
pure water; that the supply from
many Of them is absolutely dangerous
and unfit for domestic use. Nor is
this to be wondered at. Probably
fifty years ago springs and wells here
were comparatively pure but with the
growth Of the town they have become
contaminated with impurities perco-
lating through the soil from barns
and the refuse and sewage of the city.
As the own becomes larger and more
populous wells and springs viii be-
come more and more impure. Voters
should consider carefully this condi-
ton and the liability Of epidemics, the
sickness and death, even of members Of
their families unless something is
done to provide a more wholesome
water supply
The proposed system would afford
an improved lire protection We are
now at the mercy Of the ire fiend
whenever he chooses to visit us.
More than once has the city been dis
%astrously scorched. Our chief pro-
lection now is by insurance but that
IS expensive and only a partial pro-
lection at best. With a good system
Of water works we may expect a ma
terial reduction in insurance rates
and feel a reasonable certainty that
fires that do occur will not extend far
or DO yer. great damage. Water
works would increase the comfort
and convenience 81 our homes. they
would he conductive to cleanliness,
they are desirable for sprinkling
stfeets, for keeping lawns green and
flower beds fragrant with bloom dur
inc the dry summe months. These
advantages and others are admitted
by all they viii have more or less in
tiuence upon the mind Of every voter.
They lead directly TO the question:
Can Wexford the expense? This is
aquestion that every voter after duly
considering the matter must decide
for himself. The interest on $4,000
at IS is $3.50 a year, which will
amount to a tax of about of one per
cent or 500 on a thousand dollars
assessment. 1t Is possible that mon
ey can be borrowed at less than 5 per
cent interest and probable that after
the system is fairly in operation there
will be an income to reduce the in
terest or principal.
II we are to have water works at
all, it is better for the city TO build
and maintain its own system than to
grant a franchise to a corporation to
do 50. The city will furnish a more
satisfactory and cheaper service
more satisfactory because the people
through their officers can direct its
policy and cheaper because there win
be no dividends to pay. The city
would probably pay a company each
year more for fire protection than
the total interest mount to on the
whole $4,000.
1t cannot be expected that all peo-
pie will look 1T this question III the
same light. Mems minds are not all
alike; their interests are not the same.
But whatever the differences III opin-
ion and whatever may be the result
q the election, there is mo occasion
Tor bitterness among neighbors. Let
every nan vote a. be pleases and
yheerfully abide hv the will Of the
majority.
II seems funny that a boy cam 20
20 sunday school alone, but il usually
takes Isis father and mother. 1 grand