Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1899-03-01


Medill is favorite among those being
considered in connection with the
presidency of the state league. He is
one of the vice presidents of the Ma
tional league of municipalities, and
with his wide and thorough knowledge
in the management of city affairs, is
peculiarly fitted for the position his
friends desire to secure for him.
The convention was called to order
in the city hall 1T Peoria. The adj
dress of welcome was made by Mayor
John Warner. of Peoria. Mayor Me-
dill is temporary chairman. Among
the addresses given today was one by
Mayor Medill. who gave an able dis
cussion of The Water Supply for
subject he showed
himself to he exceptionally well
posted on. The pointers contained in
his address will prove of great value
to other cities contemplating changes
in their water supply systems, for
Mayor Medill has become n close stu
dent of the water subject as Il result
of his interest i'll the new reservoir in
course Of construction on the bluff,
and which is equipped with the nat
this section of the country.
Medm Temporary Chairman.
Peoria. March IA convention to
organize the League of Illinois Munic-
qualities met here this morning. May
or Medill, of Rock Island, was made
temporary chairman. After mum Der
of addresses. committees were APP
pointed. At the afternoon session
a. X. Foote. of Washington, ID. c.,
spoke on How Shall the Franchise
Question Be Settled?" The address
of Mayor Medill. of Rock Island, fol-
lowed His subject was The Water
Supply for Municipalities, and he
said in part:
Gods Greatest Gift to Man.
Gentlemen: 1t has been said that
pure water is Gods greatest gift to
man. The problem of providing n
good water supply for municipalities
has occupied the attention of scien-
lists and municipal corporations for
long period of time, and certainly no
subject is more humane and worthy
of attention.
When we reflect and consider the
ills and dangers to which man is heir;
that the condition of his health
and longevity of his life are largely
governed by what he eats and drinks,
we can readily perceive the vital in
terest he must take in this subject.
Rich or poor, high or low, no matter
what NAV be ones situation in life,
the necessity of pure water for do
nestle purposes is apparent to all.
When we recall the fact that the
germs of a large number of the con-
tagious diseases are carried in the
water. we can readily perceive that
aside from the Inconvenience of use
ing impure water. it is a serious mem
ace to the public health. Where a
large number of people have congre-
gated and erected their houses upon
a comparative small tract of land, as
in cities. the land SO occupied becomes
with poisonous refuse
AMI the water supply drawn from
wells is impure and unhealthful.
1T then devolves upon the munich
pal authorities to provide for pure,
wholesome and abundant supply of
water This duty cannot be shirked
or evaded by municipal authorities.
1t is made incumbent upon them by
law, and the public welfare demands
that they give this subject the most
and Painstaking considera-
ton. In addition TO the duty of pro-
viding pure and wholesome water for
domestic purposes. the municipal au-
thorities are required to provide an
adequate supply of water for the pro-
lection Of life and property against
the ravages of fire
The sources of water supply for
may be divided int
three general classes, viz: Lakes and
reservoirs, streams o
running water, subterranean sources.