The Mitchell capital. (Mitchell, Dakota [S.D.]) 1879-1918, 1897-05-07

n,rt of Water Main Extensions.
EDITOR REPuBLICAN:-There were
nme statements in your issue OF
thursday, April %, relating to the
mediation of contract for water
aims on west Third street, not in ac-
brdance with the facts, and which ap-
ealed to my outraged sense of justice
br animadversion, but, | thought it
latter to defer my answer till in a
a)mer mood, could write dispassion-
Stely.
The ''people" are not inclined to be
piustly mercenary and exacting, but
nav be easily carried off their balance
Y bv false representations which appeal
their selfish nature. | am satisfied
that If the intelligent and fair-minded
Ieitizens of Mitchell had understood the
ituation and facts they would neither
have been excited into ferment of
bpposition to the measure, nor supreme.
elated at its defeat. The purpose,
Xevidently, OF the parties who came here
8to investigate was to defeat the meas
lure rather than to get and report upon
the facts. Instead of running ''up to
Bracy's house." the mains, as
located. stopped some distance Off and
would have required considerable out
Hay before the water could be made
8available for his use, and instead OF
#only one. there were two parties wish
to uee the water Immediately, with
Ia strong probability (since become a
Ncertainty) OF a third. Even two heads
8of water would pay 81 per cent interest
#on S266 which would entail no loss to
&the city when we are offered par for
&our bonds at per cent, and we must
#remember that the water mains OF the
8city do not supply, on an average, two
@consumers to the block.
Il Now fail to see why the city is not
Sa loser by this reverse action OF the
#council. There is something more to
n be considered than just the few dollars
(which the sale of the water would bring.
n Is it not the paramount interest of the
q city to have the water (all that she can
supply used for its adornment and i'm
provement? Mitchell would be COM
n paratively desert waste, but for an
& occasional oasis like the premises of
q citizens Dix, Hitchcock, Beckwith and
d others, who, by the judicious use OF the
81 water and the exercise of good taste,
q have redeemed the city from it's un-
n #sghtliness and banished the blush OF
shame which aforetime mantled our
n cheeks as our streets were being
q tratersed by strangers. We must not
n forget that the attractions OF city are
q due more to its private lawns and parks
n than to its public grounds, and it should
Il be the city's policy to encourage the
n employment of water for the beautify-
q ing OF lawns, wherever it can be sup
q piled without an extravagant outlay.
Hitherto in my communications upon
matters connected with the action OF
q the council I have avoided all illusions
n to my personal grievances. | cannot,
however, in this instance overcome the
q temptation to say a word along that
i lne For fifteen years | have made
q my annual contributions to the city
q lreasury-many of those years much
more than this extension would cost
i and this is the first time [ have asked
Tor return benefit. No electric light,
no mail delivery, no city water.
Il Though wanting the latter for the pur-
pose OF identifying my home by pro-
b noting the growth of alawn, shrubbery
and trees, [ had not asked for it until
IT was brought within one block of my
i premises, when | had the presumption
10 attach my name to the petition pray
ing Tor this extension. l am sure that
IN this am unintluenced by any selfish
Or mercenary motive. True l wish to
promote the growth of the trees which
haYe been at great pains to plant and
FOSTER. This labor, however, is more
lor the benefit of those who will live
alter me than myself, at my age.
Gould have had the water | should
nave cultivated and developed park
mere which would have become one of
lne attractive features of the city. l
naVe small grove upon moist par eel
" ground adjacent to the railroad
winch has already become famous
punt OF attraction. Scarcely day
nroushout the migratory season that
- ooes not shelter numbers o. that
interesting class of individuals known
"' .ne festive tramps, who take rest
suu lodging beneath its outrageous
'o'age. What if they make inroads
Apon my garden, and appropriate such
sesetables as they need, we have be-
eone to understand each other, and
'"oS are careful to observe nv condi-
W. IONS that while they are helping
w. sue,iseives u to something to eat they
sA''i , destroy nothing and leave the
,ouces as they find them. When I