Little Falls weekly transcript. (Little Falls, Morrison Co., Minn.) 1894-19??, 1896-04-03
DAVlDSON'S VETO.
The Mayors Message Against
the Annulling of the Water
Franchise and Contract.

names giving TIE ITdH-ulseS uuNe'
which the Electric 4 Water company
ia now supplying water in til" CITY,
and thecOntlacts under which water
for fire protection is supplied the city:
TO THE COMMON OUNCIL OF LITTLE
FALLS, MINI.
I herewith return without my ap-
prevail. and with my veto. ordl-
nance chapter numtered u, being an
ordinance "repea]img, annulling ana
setting aside" tina ordinance chapter
81. as amended by ordinance chapter
81 Of this city. for the following
reasons and objections therefor:
1t does not seem to me that the
common council should net preclp-
tia tly in this matter. At u meeting OF
citizens held short time ago u com
mittee was appointed to ascertain
If the rates that we are paying lor
lights and water are reasonable. l
am informed that this committee has
made careful investigation and
will be ready to submit their report
the early part Of next week, and 1t Is
certainly nothing less than decency
and common courtesy to the com
mittee to consider their report be-
fore any action is taken. That the
city's running expenses should be
materially decreased in connection
with it's water supply. Is probably
without question, but the means
adopted to secure this through an
ordinance of the character proposed
is so dangerous of serious results to
the city's interests that l wish to
discourage this method. | must ac-
cept that the council intends to
accomplish what their records pro-
pose. If it does, the repeating OF this
ordinance will leave the city without
adequate provisions for fire pro-
lection, and in consequence thereof.
insurance rates would more than
double, and. no doubt, unless the
matter was speedily adjusted, In
surance companies would withdraw
entirely from our city.
The city has no lawful means for
an immediate supply OF water. IA 1t
has no ownership in the water mains
nor is it's financial condition in
such shape that it can go on and
build water works, having no legal
authority for the issue OF more
bonds.
NV further reasons for vetoing the
proposed resolution.
The city passed ordinance number
thirty-one (3D, rs amended by chap
ter thirty-four (34), and by 50 doing
it induced the investment Of large
amount of capital in the water
works; these Investments are of G.
permanent character. under the Or
dinance, and within the time required
by it, thirtv-seven (37) hydrants
were designated by the city and
were constructed by the Electric 4
Water company and the city council
has from time to time, on the petit
lions of the people of the city,
extended the water mains and
hydrants until there are ut the pres
ent time fifty-five. twelve of which
do not cost the city anything.
The city should not have such
reckless disregard for it's obligations,
as to make an ordinance which arbi-
trarily annulled part of it's volun-
tary records. All that the city can
possibly accomplish under the pro-
posed ordina nee can he accomplished
by bringing an action in the proper
courts to cancel and annul the con-
tract, and in the meantime, until a
decision has been reached in such an
action, the city can either pay for
water at it's present rates, or secure,
If possible, an agreement from the
company for a reduction OF it's water
rentals while such litigation is being
pushed for q decision. Such an &C
ton in court would not have the
0uCCI VI IdlSlIS IHC oSSo VI An0uA ~AA
and thereby cost the people large
sum of money for increased insurance
rates, and if the contract is annulled
in such action the city will be in a
position without endangering the
business interests to secure a new
contract on such terms as may be
agreeable and acceptable to the con-
tracing parties.
In returning this ordinance with
nv veto. realize full we'll the action
of the council that may follow, and
it is possible that some people who
do not fully consider and understand
the situation may criticise, but
further realize that all parties Famil
lar with all the facts and circum
stances, and having no prejudices, will
not question my intentions and
honesty of purpose, so far as l an
able. to promote the best interests
of the people Of the city.
ANDREW D. DAVIDSON.