The Seattle post-intelligencer. [volume] (Seattle, Wash. Terr. [Wash.]) 1888-1914, 1895-11-30

Few ayes and a great volume OF sturdy
noes. and the original motion 10 adopt the
majority report vas then discussed.
Jacobs Discusses Debts
Orange Jacobs vas the first speaker.
and tried hard 10 confne himself 70 the
prescribed fifteen minutes in answering
one OF two points OF the report. from the
bass that the facts set forth were innrna-
terial and Irrelevant The committee. ne
said. gave a lugubr5ous description % the
awful condition Of this community al the
present. and not satisfied with setting
forth the debt q the city, had added 70
Il the debt OF the school district and Of
King county. Why did il not go further
and ascertain the standing Of the citizens
Sc far as their private accounts were COR
cerned?
But, Mr. President. the COMMITTEES
didn't 60 far enough" he continued. Il
ought 70 make a motion 70 amend that re-
port by having the indebtedness OF the
state OF Washington stated-yea, more.
that OF the United States: yea. more. the
Indebtedness OF the City Of Mexico and ell
the rest OF the world. Such report as
that might have given Us some satisfac-
ton by way of comparison"
Nowhere in that report. he went on. did
the committee state that the adoption of
the proposed plan would increase the debt
or the city by a single cent, yet that was
the Inference. II he had the time he could
show the rottenness and irrelevance OF the
report from beginning 10 end daughter and
cheers. They could enjoy their victory, he
said, in reply to these cheers. as they had
the gag law on their side. He believed that
the whole thing ought to be Indefinitely
postponed. that the Chamber OF Commerce
had nothing TO do with IT,
Donworth strikes Back.
George Donworth answered some OF the
arguments OF Mr.. Jacobs. especially the
one In which he r.dicuied the idea that the
proposed plan would create a debt. lie
showed that II the 70 per cent OF the water
funds now transferred 10 pay other debts
were stopped that amount would have 10
be raised BY direct taxation. No amount OF
argument as 10 the meaning OF the word
debt could prevent their being liable to
have 10 dig up" money enough 10 meet
their obligation He thought they should
see their way clear first. Having discussed
the financial aspects Of the scheme. he said
that in the future We might need much
larger supply OF water. IL We DO II would
still be there, and the power TO condemn II
for municipal purposes also.
Can't Afford In Now.
J. T. Ronald found a great deal or merit
In both OF the reports. He was satsfled
the water storage capacity of the city was
inadequate and should be increased. 1t was
necessary 10 have a gravity system or an
100000 gallons a day were pumped the
citizens never got that quantity. He would
be glad TO vote for the proposition because
he had always been in favor OF the graV-
ity system. but at the present time ne felt
that he could not do so. He thought the
proposition unjust to put the whole cost OF
the water works upon the consumers, leav-
ing non-residents whose lands were oene-
fitted 10 pay nothing.
w D. Wood bad always looked forward
TO the gravity system, and he felt he ought
to vote for the proposition, but reluctant
ly he had come 10 the conclusion that We
should not take the step now, In our pres
ent financial condition. II this were the
last opportunity he would say. why, take
the risk and the burden.
Mir. Jacobs: you say you are In favor
of bringing the water from Cedar river.
You vote on that; you don't vote on the
means"
Mr. Wood: II understand that L do.
Would you not understand the ballot re-
ferred TO the ordinance which authorizes
the city council 10 take such action?'
Mr. Jacobs. No. sir. Y on vote for just
what the ballot states In favor OF or
against bringing the water OF Cedar river
to swan lake and from there TO the Teser-
voirs OF the city of Seattle. You are not
asked about the means at all
Mr. Wood said that seemed to him extra
ordinary logic. and the two discussed the
point at some length.
4 Liability by Whatever Name
Jacob Furth took up the point raised by
Mr. Jacobs previously that the proposition
did not mean debt. and expressed his
opinion that. debt or no debt il would be
a liability. If not upon the city, upon its
citizens. and the people who consumed
water would have TO pay il. He was ut
terlv in favor Of the majority report. He
thought they should all feel indebted 10
the members OF that committee for the
conclusive evidence they had presented
that an extension OF the water system
should not be undertaken at present. We
had water enough. When We wanted more
we could get it, If a private corporation
did come into possession and ask a large
sum for these water riChts. the city was
not bound 70 pay Il, but could have the
water rights assessed and acquire them
Then again, q would he breaking faith
with the people who had bought our bonds
70 increase the city's debt or OBLIGATIONS
above the statutory limit. We were al
ready sending much money from here 70
nav interest and he thought every man
should vote against the proposition 10 in
cur further responsibilities.
NcGHvra Defends the Council.
Mr. M~Glvra-Nr President while
have declined to-(rosrS Of laughter inter-
rue,aa hiul-wh-e ] have declined and
sin decline 70 discuss (renewei laughter
this important question, for evidently those
presert 90 rot desire discussion except On
one side. T rise 10 call attention 20 some
gross u1iSstat en2euts.
NJ McGilvra then made as long speech
os any ~ The other gentlemen. arguing
+Aat there was not enough q water a.
present. and tbat out for the hrehoat Ne
we're in as bad a position 70 case = fire as
gr $50 He was AKA INST debt A1t when
he was shown Bow 10 make 3 for e nE