Watertown republican. [volume] (Watertown, Wis.) 1860-1906, 1895-05-29
THE WATERWORKS MEETING.
A Public Discussion of the Matter-W.
H. Wheeler s. Co.'s PIan-The

H. Wheeler 81 Co.'s P1an-The
Council Requested to Act.
The question of a system of water
works in our city was revived the fore
part of last week by the presence here
of representative Of the Beloit firm Of
waterworks engineers, W. H. Wheeler
d Co., who had thoroughly canvassed
the situation and overlooked the
ground. In accordance with a desire
expressed by them to lay their plans
before the people. the common coun-
Gil held special meeting for this pur-
pose on Wednesday evening at the
council chamber, to which citizens
generally were summoned. Mayor
Moak presided and stated the object of
the meeting, also inviting all present to
take part in the informal discussion and
give their views literally. The attend
ance was large and much interest mani
tested. w. H. Wheeler, the head of
the company was introduced and spoke
IN detail on the subject at hand. From
minute observations in his inspection of
the city, Mr.. Wheeler was well pre-
pared to discuss waterworks and he
gave his hearers the benefit of all he
had ascertained. He thought that to
begin with Watertown would REQUIRE
ABOUT htteen miles of water mains,
which would afford 40 street hydrants
Tor fire purposes. The latter, judicious-
ly located, would pretty well cover the
city. Mr.. Wheeler advocated the
stand-plpe system, and it has always
been the opinion of waterworks ex-
perts that no place presents better nat
ural advantages for such a system than
Watertown. His plan fixed the location
of the stand pipe on the Richards bill
site, with the power house and we'll Just
below on the old Rough and Ready mill
site. An artesian well 900 feet deep
would furnish an ample water supply,
while the old mill water-power would be
an adequate and cheap means of pump
Ing. A talk holding 10000 gallons, it
was thought, ought to be large enough
for all present demands. A steam plant
IN addition to the water power was al
SO advocated, thus rendering almost
absolute safety in case Of emergencies.
Regarding the cost of such system,
Mr.. Wheeler estimated it would be in
the neighborhood of $4,000 In the
event of his being granted franchise.
be said arrangements could be made
whereby the city could buy the plant
whenever it desired by paying a GER
tain price originally agreed upon. He
said he honestly believed that in less
than five years the plant would not
only be self-sustaining, but the revenue
obtained therefrom would also be
sufficient to meet the salaries of all our
city officials, besides that there would
be enough reduction in insurance rates
here to pay for the plant in ten or
twelve years. If the city should agree
upon the thirty-year plan, a certain
yearly rental would be charged for
hydrants, while the surplus obtained
from the plant, paid by private consum-
ers, would be applied toward the pay
ment Of the principal, hich he felt
confident would be completely wiped |
out at the end of thirty years.
Discussion of the question was quite
lively and all present seemed to evince
desire to learn everything possible re-
garding waterworks. Many questions
were propounded to Mr.. Wheeler
which he cheerfully answered so far
as able. The meeting was closed will
motion unanimously prevailing thai
it was the sense of the meeting tha+
WaterWorks are wanted and that the
mayor and common council select &
committee to take action in the matter.
There is scarcely a doubt but what
the very great majority of our heavy
taxpayers are in favor of waterworks.
and for the general welfare of the city
the time has no doubt arrived to act
If the city would advance it must haas,
the modern improvements, and not
the least of these is an adequate water
service whereby good fire protection
is offered. OF course, there are maay
different plans for waterworks and ne
trust before any definite conclusion is
reached the matter will be liberally
and intelligently discussed. The con-
mon council should keep nothing dis
closed and the newspaper columns
should be freely used. Under presen
existing circumstances the granting
franchise seems to be the only #
able way to secure the improveme
The city is already bonded to nearly
limit allowed by law Let us have
best and at the same time cheap
plan adapted to our needs. The
umns Of THE REPUBLICAN are alwa
open to comprehensive and genel
discussion of this question in all
phases.
FARM FOR SALE.
My farm, consisting of 1144 acres,
miles southeast ofthis city, on the tow
line of 1xonia and Watertown, is fo