The Greenville times. [volume] (Greenville, Miss.) 1868-1917, 1898-03-05
THE ELECTRIC LIGHT SYSTEM,

meeting, issued an order for an
election to DO held to determine
the wish of the public in regard to
the issuance of bonds and the as
sumption by the city of control Of
its electric light system,
The question is, for many rea-
sons, one Of the most important
which has been presented for pub
lie consideration for years, and an
irrevooable step should not be
taken until the subject has been
carefully weighed and and measur-
ed in all its bearings. The action
is one to which the Council have
been urged by a generally express
cd sentiment Of dissatisfaction
with the system of lighting by
private neutrality-suspicious. by no
means confined to the present
management, but which have been
common ever since the system of
electric lights was put in opera
ton. A careful and no doubt dis
interested and conscientious com
parison of the advantages Of light
ing by public and private control
has been made by the city govern
nent. and results, according to
their figures, greatly in favor OF
the former system. The claim
made by them are apparently I'M
answerable, and, if supported by
4 practical test, the plan will prove
as advantageous to the city as the
waterworks system has done. The
claim that municipal ownership
has always proved beneficial to
tax payers and more generally
satisfactory than the system OF
private control is by no means
substantiated. Ii number OF
instances cities which have adopt
ed it have afterwards earnestly
endesyored to dispose of their
plants at great sacrifice, the dis
appointment in realization of |
glowing prospectuses, the losses
from inexperienced and incompe-
tent management, and the political
abuses arising from municipal
ownership making it necessary to
get rid of the burden at almost
any cost. Nothing IS certain, and |
where nothing Is ventured nothing !
Is gained. But more serious
consideration than the uncertainty |
is the fact that Greenyille is al
ready bearing q burden Of debt as
heavy as it can well support. 1t
is true that the load is bravely car
ried, and that the resources Of the
city are great. If the people feel
that they can stand an additional
load of 5000 it is their affair.
If they choose to assume it for
electric lights well and good. I
There are other public improve
nlonts, however, which are even
more urgently needed than an
amended system of lights. Sew
oraye is demanded as prime ne
Our streets, except in
summer, are disgracetul. it is
probable that both these subjects
will soon become of paramount i'm
portance in public consideration,
while others may at any time arise
which will strain our resources to
he uttermost. 1t is we'll to consider
whether or not, in assuming a heavy
obligation for a convenience which
t is possible TO do without we are
dangerously near to the :
init of our permitted bonded in
lebtedness-in other words strain a
ng our credit to that point beyond l
which it breaks and irreparable q
.isaster follows. 1t is presump- Il
1ous, as well as useless, for a i
evspap9r to arrogate to itself the :
haracter Of Mentor on such sub
ct as this. The intention of The
DRs is not to advise or suggest. d
he intelligence of the public may "
9 relied on to exercise due dis g
'etion and judgment in the pro- l
1sed election, and by its verdict ac
en- expressed this paper is ready II
abide with cheerful acquiescence 81
is considered to be a duty, how IL
er, to present a view Of the sit 70
tion which may not have been =,
uerally recognized OF consider WI
In a matter of 50 much pub acl
interest it is probable that those RAJ
70 are yet undecided, or have LII
~ unable to obtain such
dence as they may desire, 80
I'D. appreciate tho oppoc- :; 5','