Arizona republican., 1899-11-06

take action on the question whether
the taxpayers shall ne
NOW permitted to vote On
TO the proposition to bond
BUSINESS. the city for s315,COO for
a water works and sew
erage' plant While the members of
the council were elected on platforms
favoring municipal ownership, and are
morally bound to respect the wishes of
the taxpayers. three of them, CAM
Morford and Fickas. have played into
the hands of the Phoenix Water COM
pany, and there is a well-grounded
belief that they will continue to ignore
the sentiment of this community. \
petition has been prepared at the in
stance of General Moses H. Sherman
of the water company for presentation
to the council praying it to postpone
action until figures covering the cost
of a water works and sewerage plant
may be procured. This petition ought
not to deceive anybody. 1t is only 4
fresh link in the chain woven by the
INSCRIPTIONS Sherman to gull the
public and make it easier for his crea-
lures in the council to do his bidding.
The council, as everybody knows, was
importuned last summer to call an
election. CAM, Morford and Fickas
deliberately turned against their con-
stituents and postponed consideration
of the question until November. They
professed to be unwilling to proceed
without reliable data governing water
works plants. Within their reach at
the moment they made this outrageous
decision were the comprehensive esti-
mates supplied to the preceding city
council by a competent engineer at a
cost to the city of $500. Why did they
ignore these estimates? Because they
did not want to see them. Because
they were bound to aid the water com
pany. Because they were determined
to make successful Sherman's plan
to tie the city to the water company
for a long term of years. The post
ponement until November was the first
step in their traitorous scheme.
The Sherman petition. duly signed by
friends OF the water company and by
others who were deceived as to its
purport. is designed to afford them Il
basis for again trampling upon the de-
mands of their constituents So much
light has been thrown upon their posi-
ton, SO much Indignation has been
manifested. that it is not impossible
that these men may conclude tonight
to try to regain their standing before
the people. 1t is not a safe bet, how
ever. If they shall order another post
ponenent the taxpayers will be justi-
ned IN demanding their designations OF
the offices they have disgraced. If
they attempt to make a fresh con-
tract with the water company-the
contract Moses II. Sherman is using
his best endeavors to bring about-tar
and feathers will be too good for them.
The three councilmen referred to
would do well to reflect upon their po-
sition. This community is thoroughly
aroused. 1t knows that its interests
are being disregarded by the council.
1t knows that Sherman and his lieu
tenants are playing a desperate game
and that they depend upon CAM, Nor
ford and Fickas to make it successful.
There are. but few communities that
would tolerate for any length of time
such brazen Indifference TO municipal
interests as these men have displayed
since they entered the council. The
Republican believes that the taxpayers
of Phoenix have reached the point