Essex County herald. [volume] (Guildhall, Vt.) 1873-1964, 1896-02-14
Our Water sappIx.


We have no disposition to intrude upou
our readers any discussion upon what
has become almost an haekneyetl subject
much less have we any desire to influence
any soter towards any particular scheme
Tor a water supply. But looking the
situation squarely in the face we are in a
peculiar position. We are absolutely
defenceless against the destruction of our
property by fire. If we were free from
complications so that we could avail
ourselves Of the most favorable supply
which nature has furnished us. the hest
method to be adopted could be easily de-
termined, but the situation now seems
to be this: When the village was entirely
without water supply it was almost
impossible 10 find a man OF men who
would incur the hazard OF an investment.
Such risk, however, was taken, and great
comfort and benefits have resulted from
1t. The plant then established has be-
come insufficient, inadequate for the in
creasing necessities of our people. A por-
ton OF the shade trees at the source of
the supply are said to have been cut
down and converted into lumber and for
other purposes so that a question has
arisen in some minds as to the sufficiencv
OF the supply in the future. The condi-
ton of the pipe having been under gr ound
for some fifteen years is not fully known.
The people feel that the men who went
into this enterprise are entitled to much
commentator and favorable considera-
ton. Anything that can be done to re-
lIeve them from any loss would be very
gratifying to everybody. If the plant
could be purchased for VIVA. it is worth
1t would be a great relief to everybody,
because then there would be but one
system which would be sufficient prob
ably and it would be free from a ruinous
competition. On the other hand to go
to Jobs pond for water would impose an
enormous burden on the town, $35, 900
in round numbers, las we remember the
report of our committee) saying nothing
about what would have to be paid as
land damages, or the trouble. delay and
expense of an incorporation in order to
condemn the right OF way. Besides when
such plant was completed it would bring
the two systems into direct competition
and create such a division of sentiment
and conflict of interests as toprevent any
profits and result in a probable loss to
both ill running them. The true way out
of all this is probably for the town to
paymore than the present plant is worth,
considered separate from any other con-
ditions which exist now, and for the
owners of the present system to take less
for it than it might be worth if present
conditions did not exist. II the owners
of the present plant insist on the same
price that they would under other circum-
stances, (Which we think is not sound
basis,) and if the town is willing to pay
for it only such sum as it would be worth
freed from present conditions, (which we
also think is not correct) no man can tell
what course ought to be pursued. 1t
seems to us that the town should pay
something for having the cheapest and
most available privilege, freed from any
competition, and the owners should sac
rifce something on account of these new
conditions. We do not mean sacrifice
from the first cost, but portion of the
enhanced value since the plant wasestab-
lshed. OF course if both parties are not
conciliatory everybody can see that they
are adopting ruinous policy. 1t is easy
to point out the difficulties of situation,
but how to overcome them, if both par
ties stand where they seem to now, is no
easy matter to determine. We give it up,
and are looking with no little curiosity
and much anxiety to see what the COM
mittee will recommend at the coming
March meeting. We can, however, sug-
gest the Importance and necessity OF
every voter carefully examining this more
important question than any which has
ever come before the town. Let every
voter examine the details of the subject
and calculate as closely as he would if
it was his own private business. 1t
should be considered without prejudice
towards any man or interest and with
no personal considerations except those
which belong to the good of all. If this
is done, and the question is kept clear oil
all other local issues, we may hope that
in some way we may find happy issue
out of our troubles.
Stern Brothers have decided to con-
t;,ue their sale during this month, IN