Barre evening telegram. (Barre, Vt.) 1898-19??, 1898-11-21
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More About Traitors.

AlOiu Atb cAdd1bCAc AOhS SAOu6n ~ esSNN
every man with different views than its
own Of being traitor to the best inter-
ests of the city. II the writer Of that
faint plea for city water had not parta-
ken too freely of tho Martin Brook
he would never have found courage to
allude to tho subject. When did this
alleged newspaper receive its appoint
nlent as guardian Of the best interests
Of the city? When did it discover that
1t knew more about water than it did
about some Of the other liquids ? How
long ago did it learn that river water
was superior to that which bubbles from
Green Mountain springs? What is the
price Of its knowledgs? Was it paid
by any body Of men. or any public off,
icial Docs the alleged organ OF the
city government derive ito knowledge
about spring wafer and river water from
the same source ~ It did that opinion
50 often expressed regarding the sal
aries of the Aldermen when it was 20
confident that the Aldermen were right
and other men wrong? How does it
account for tho Supreme Court OF Yer
mont holding a different opinion ? Had
that organ been bathing too freely in
city waller when it expressed the opinion
on the salary question? Hso why should
it still urge cur people to drink such
dangerous and uncertain liquids ? Now
just a word about 'traitors to the best
interests Of the city and its taxpayers.
We do not blame the Barre Wafer
Company for disposiug Of its system to
the city at as high figure as possible.
They constructed tho plant for the pur-
pose of making money. They have
showed their good business Judgment
aud are men of excellent ability, and if
they should secure the best end Of tho
bargain between their company and the
city no one will have any fault to tind
with the company and no one will be
surprised. In the first place where is
the contract between this city and the
Barre Water Company? Why is it not
on record? The people of Barre must
pay for the property, why should they
not know the provisions under which
it has been purchased? Why has a
matter of so much importance been tran
sactcd in executive session? Who is
afraid of kickers? When the contract
was made for the erection of the new
city hall building its terms were made
public, why SO much secrecy regarding
the water plant?
How is any taxpayer to know that
the use OF the city water is to be OF ben
eft to him. until he knows something
about the secret deal that we are told
has taken place? Give the voters of
the city chance to know what the con-
tract is before you ask them to support
the business Why did the city pur-
chase that sys'em? Can anyone answer
the question? Who urged it? When
the Barre Water Company wished for
permission to lay another line of pipes
through the city, it was refused on the
ground that it would be in competition
with the proposed city system. then the
announced that it would lay
he line in spite of any action of tho city
government. The city then knew that
o save law suit some final move must
% made with the Barre Water Company
% remove il from competition. Then
;ity meeting was called, and vote TAX
N to instruct tho city government to
rave the Barre water system condemned.
Did that meeting represent a majority
If the taxpayers Of Barre Whether
did or not, the damage has been done,
nd the system is said to have been pur-
hased, although the voters know very
title about it. But has it been con-
|emned? No. On the other hand some
lind of an arrangement has been r,ade
Whereby the city is now operating the
ystem, and il to pay whatever price
oard Of three commissioners appointed
y mutual agreement may say.
Now then here is free public drink
ng fountain in the city park. A local
pring water company offers to supply
'ater for that fountain free of charge
0 does the city. How then can the taxi
ayers receive any income from that
,untain and how would it reduce taxes 3?
IN the Other hand if it is true that 30
,uch is to be allowed for every addi-
onal user of city water, then in the fl
al settlement between tine company
nj the city, will not the use of city wa
,r in that free drinking fountain in
rease the price and be burden 10 the
'y 2? Now then about pure water,
ill this alleged organ undertake to ,,
~ that the water furnished by the =,