Arizona republican., 1899-01-14

Prescott, Jan. 13. - (speciaI.) = 'Whiskey Row. has been eliminated as a factor in the city government of
 Prescott. ''Whiskey Row has domi-
 mated city politics in Prescott for years,
 not because it represented the best in
 terests of the community, but because
 the real men, of affairs have not per formed the duty they owe their town.
 The. conservative element of Prescotts
 population lately received a jolt which
 reused it from it's long indif- ference to the city's welfare. The mu- nicipal pocketbook has been in danger, and the legitimate guardians of the
 purse have awakened to the necessity of taking it in charge. An issue arose
 in city politics, vital enough to bring the busy man out Of his office and stand
 him in line at the polls, and he is sur priSed at his numbers and strength.
 At the last city election, January 8, for mayor and councilmen, the prop erty owners and taxpayers. of Prescott united for the first time, and took con-
 trol of the municipal machine with an energy and decision that astonished and completely routed the reckless ele- ment which has been suffered for years to administer the city government A
 q
 water reservoir and sewerage system.
 In the attempt to sell the bonds and contract for the wOrK an odor arose from the city council in which the
 taxpayer detected a strong scent of poodle" Before the board could exc cute it's E-ans the general city election intervened. The old board Of council men sought reelection, but 60 sus- picious had bee3 its work in connection with the bond sale that the alarmed citizen clement nominated a ticket and elected it by a sweeping majority.
 The water works fight marks an epoch in the history of Prescott's civil government. The eXiStingnWaber sys- tenn, put in about 1885, has for -1he last several years been inadequate to the needs of the town. An increased sup ply of water was imperative, and a
 gravity system was decided upon, to take the place of the old pumping works. The mountains round about the tcwn were prospected for, a site for a dam and reservoir. A site for dam was practically decided upon, and the people, at a special election, voted to issue bonds to the amount of $150,000 to pay for the work and for a system of sewers in the city. Only nine votes were cast against the proposition. At this time the debt of the city was be- yond the legal limit, and to issue ad- ditional bends an enabling act by the national congress was necessary. This act was passed in March, 1898, and specified shat the bonds should be sold for their par value, and the money paid 1 into the city treasury.
 VOTED FOR BONDS.
 With the passage of the enabling act | the people voted, April 19, to issue the | bonds, and soon afterwards bids for the | purchase of the bonds were advertised. | No bids were received, the bonds, like | similar securities everywhere, being | unstable, because of the uneasiness of | the general money market, occasiOned | by the Spanish war. In fact, at this period, nothing less stable than United | States bonds was marketable at legiti- mate values. Three months time had passed, with no offer for the bonds, when George w. Hoadley of the firm 1f Hoadley, Turnbull & Go. of Phoenix on the scene. The history Of the events connecting MT. Hoadley with the Prescott city council and the bonds is nC'e of record, but on August 3, 1898, he contracted with the ely to sell the bonds at par within sixty days, he city agreeing to pay him 7,500, or per cent of the total, after the face value Of the bonds had been paid in l. ,ash to the city. On the face of it the agreement admitted Of no other inter DretatiOn than that the purchaser of he bonds should pay the city $150,000 n cash, after which payment the city should pay Hoadley S7,500 as commits sion, but included in the contract was l rider" as it Were-a supplementary agreement, in which supplementary voodpile was concealed the ''nigger" hat created all the subsequent trouble. This rider recited
 Tt is further agreed that the said Ioadley, Turnbull & Go. may stipulate or and on behalf of the said city of Prescott with the proposed purchaser ,r purchasers of said bonds, that the proceeds thereof shall be applied in coCd faith and economically t3 the cree ion and construction of the public works for which the same are to be is ;ued, and that the person or persons Ir y whom the work shall be done shall f, ,e subject to the aEiHroval of the said purchaser or purchasers, as well as by I he mayor and common council of the .ity of Prescott
 This agreement meant nothing but