The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1898-02-08

introduced resolution calling for a re-
opening of the question of settlement of
the differences between the city and the
water company.
All might have been we'll and the res
olution providing for the reopening of
the controversy might have been adopt
ed II 1t had not been for one thing.
While the council was waiting there
was filed in the federal court a little
document signed by Federal Judge John
r Williams restraining the city from
putting into effect the new water rate
ordnance. This ordinance was the only
thing that stood between the city and q
settlement, and President Street had
said that the new rates fixed by the
council would be accepted if the whole
compromise was adopted. But Judge
Williams little injunction overturned
the whole matter and when the meet
ing was called to order it was plain
to be seen that there was trouble ahead
The committee on ways and means.
which had Councilman Warmers reso-
luton, reported that the resolution
should be adopted This action was
taken by a majority of the committee
COuncilmen NettelS, Roundtree and
Stephenson. A minority report was al
so presented, signed by Councilmen
Burgess and Pattison. The minority re-
port recommended the rejection of the
Overtures to compromise and called
upon the city attorney to proceed with
the litigation.
Before edther report could be acted
upon another factor appeared. It was
Councilman Drew of the Fourth ward.
He had a substitute he wanted to offer
for both the minority and majority re-
ports.
''The clerk will read" said Mavor Eel
lows
City Clerk McFadden read the substi-
tute, a brief resolution, recommending
the whole matter to be referred to the
committee on ways and means with in
structions to report a plan for the city's
building water plant of it's own as
soon as possible.
A few minutes elapsed before a word
was spoken and then Councilman Mer-
gan of the Second ward slowly rose to
his feet.
Il never in my life" said he deliber-
ately, felt so much like getting on my
feet to endorse any thing as 1 do the
substitute offered by Mr.. Drew. Moth
ing has ever been proposed to this cOun-
ell which will be more generally en-
dorsed by my constituents. We have
been mOnkeying with this water COM
pany long enough. What we need, gen
tlemen, is a few more Webb McNalls
in this council. Some of the members
act more like they were sent here to
represent corporations than the people
and I for one want to say that 1 am
here to represent the people of the Sec
ond ward. This water company has
shown no disposition to do the fair
thing and I think the time has come
when we should take steps to own our
own water plant"
THE clerk will call the roll" directed
Mayor Fellows, as no one seemed dis
posed to add anything to what Council
man Morgan had said.
The roll was called and every mem
Der present voted for the substitute.
The author of the substitute, Coun-
Gilman Drew, said after the meeting
had adjourned: I'VE mean just what
we say and we propose to build a water
plant of our own If the people of the
city are in favor of it. We will submit
a proposition to vote bonds for the
construction of a water plant to be
owned by the city at the election next