The Abbeville press and banner. [volume] (Abbeville, S.C.) 1869-1924, 1896-06-24
WATER WORKS.
Some Suggestions for the People TO
Think About.

While we believe there is no general de-
mand for water works, and while we belleve
the proprtety or expediency OF the movement
is doubtful one, yet there can remain put
little doubt that the election will be carried
in favor OF adding still greater burden 10
our already heavily taxed citizens.
We believe the election Will be carried for
the debt for the simple reason that we may
learn lessons from the past. AS far as our
memory serves US, we do not recoilect ol Il
single Instance OF failure OF any proposition
TO increase the debt OF any corporation. The
elections certainly, as rule, are In favor vi
piling on the taxes.
For little town like ours, which pays
about $3.50 on the assessed value OF our pro,
perty 10 assume an additional debt OF S23,OOo
Is something for conscientious citizens TO
think about.
When we recollect that we are now paying
the heaviest town taxes that we have ever
paid, it might be better 10 enquire INTO
the reasons for these liberal expenditures
than 10 run pell nell to the ballot box 10 IN.
cur an additional debt II we run the "a,ed
works on the same expensive scale Una, .lat ne we
run the school and the city goVerhihent 'ne
taxes will be oppressive. ,o b..
While we expect the additional TAX 10 oe
voted, and while we do not expect W ~ ash ",is
man 10 vote against the DEBT, Set we ,t,o 80
ii might not be amiSS To slale so'le Vi '"I ~"
sous that move us against IL. j., ,ba
lSt If the present eXtraFagahCe III tie
school AMI municipal affairs, are 10 oe eAtenu
ed 10 The management OF the water-woTks
am ADEQUATE return for our money.
Jud 'Tne water works must or necessity
involve the health OF the town, or incur the
ADDITIONAL expense OF drainage. Anderson,
columbia and Greenville have suffered with
typhuid lever, Il disease almost unknown to
our people. Spartanburg has found 1t neces-
Sary 10 add a sewerage system TO her water
works, thereby adding a bonded debt ol
SjJ,OOJ.
sid. We don't need the water works. and
there Is no necessity Tor them, because very
nf la h.lN "a ICRl l.
that afford cool and refreshing drafts OF the
purest water. The water from these wells
will answer Il better purpose than the warm
water which may be drawn Tor great dis
tance through iron pipes.
4th. There Is now no need to throw away
good wells to incur great expense TO the dll
Ierent families in laying pipes.
5th. The idea that the water works would
reduce our insurance, We DeleNe, mas oeeh
abandoned.
9th. Because only an exceeding few OF our
people, who live OFT the square can realize
any benefit from the water works. ,,o
7lh. Because II is unju uSt TO tax the people
living on the outskirts OF the town 10 pay lor
water for people who live on the square or III
the more fashionable parts OF the city.
Sth. Because it is not fair to tax four-fliths
OF the people TO give water TO one-filth OF the
people who may be more tavorably located;
When the city becomes populous anu the
present supply Of the best water on earth be-
comes inadeq uate TO ans Ger the demand, we
will need water works, but we submit that
That time has not yet come. We have an
abundance OF the best water that can ever be
had. When the city is crowded, and when
the earth becomes contaminated so as TO de
sLroy the purity OF well water we will need
water works.
What We need now Is a more economical
city government, and a diminutlon OF the
expenditure of the public money in
paying fancy prices 10 keep our school open
We have said this without seeking TO In
huence anybody, and II we have erred, we
nave done SO in time for our errors To be cor.
rected before the election. We may be all
wrong, but we make this delverance, and
leave the balance to be decided by the people.