Pine Bluff daily graphic., 1898-04-19

to furnish an ample supply :, wholesome water. to be taLd. a pure and wells driven in the ground tsaken san iton and domestic purposes. and .. ael both frs rates which Were named in tl ds stlpulated At the beginning tests were ',le m eontfact water, both as to pressure 2 fdu lnade s oibs poses and purity for dononr aor Ire purs which being satisfactory -v,nestle ,as uses by ty the city and entered upon rS accepted faith apparently by all parties pon cal Tn good It was not long, however bbeetacefned Light and Water Companv0 01lore he the make default in supply 1 of began to from that time until the nraa, maIer, and never made any serious effoss ffrsSea' t has it's contract either with the s c;s, to fulfl purposes or with its patrons 0iss s. Tor fire uses. Notwithstanding this sOl t.aa pariVste water company has always dams,. aqos, the from its patrons, both public and nud9nlanded under the most arbitrary J rnlaa p'Sate, threats, full contract prices o,es so. and Such arbitrary methods. eonnla ,Js Water failures and refusals on part of pieu ,bo With company to comply with lts cos.er cne water have lead to various efforts m oV.il'raets, .l of the city government to comnal ,a1 paft sl same to be done. But aside frpel frae tne fact of having successfully resisted HI tI Iae payment Of some $10,0o0 of ts'cd ;to a1 tne against the city nothing has VI vat e'alns q accomplished, especially for tbs ses ~. been consumers. ptiYale
 Instead of the service beino ;nu it has gradually grown from ppioVed, worse, until now they (tbe consa uaa to are compelled to use filthy, dirty dii',s) ns clean, unclarifed and unfltered ,;ua ua' water, which IS taken up from tba iisef 4 sa ansas river near and below Rrn1nl, aaah' Bayou, the natural sewer or ara;a a,uiips all the cemeteries, slaughter nana sa,n .ul iOl surface closets in the western nor,;o, rs; ala the city. These and other .ssoa rooa.' ol should impel the Council to take 'eafuls ssa stand in behalf of the private eonsnmaa m,aa whose guardians you are, under tbs tb,l.ea' o"n tract, and see to it, that nothing iS spa. lol. undone by which this companV nav 'Ias ~ brought to terms. If diplomacy vii So % any good, invite it; but if naoos s0 sary to apply harsher measures s'Is Ist them be used. 1 am aYerse to makino, ues ~. on capital or to the inauguratino of ana, as. policy calculated to depreciate invest. ments but if this Company is to eon. Tss tinue in it's defaulting methods [ sbon I favor lending encouragement to eom. peting enterprise, either to be given to private individuals or to be owned and ,g operated by the city. '
 And now, to the end that relief nav come 1 recommend for your eonsidars. ton the propriety of the selection oi 2 committee whose duties shall be.
 First, To confer with the managers of tbe Light and Water Company with the view, if possible, to effect such an agree. ment and make such exaetions of them as will secure what is needed under the contract;
 Or, If unsuccessful, then to direct its energies and efforts toward the encour. agement of new and competing enter. prise.
 Before concluding I must compliment the voters of this city upon their excel lent selections for the various offices which had to be reflled at the recent municipal election. Those of you who had 10 contend with opposition are to be congratulated over your success, especially when you take into account the high character and worthy claims of those who opposed you. l am pleased to know that in the administration of the municipal affairs of this city for the future I am to have the aid and assist. ance of such capable counsellors and eo-workers. Convinced by past expe. rience how very hard it is to execute the will of the people in behalf of law, shall ask for your full and unseldsh co- operation to the end, that justice may prevail, the laws be enforced and the best interests of the city be subseryed.