Evening journal., 1899-03-31

II the surplus reached one-half the |
amount paid in, as il now does, the |
corporation that had paid a water rate
OF 81 900 wouie get back $500 and the
small properiy-holier who had paid a
water tax of $l2. would receive a re-
bate of Sc.
don't think anyone would object to
a surplus, providing 10 was applied in
this way. 1t would be easily managed,
for when we go in January to pay our
water tax for the coming year we
would have our credit, to be applied
on account. whatever per cent. the SUR
plus yielded But where is the need OF
this annual surplus? The department
now say Il is TO provide against possi-
be contingencies. But why do they
mot keep It for that purpose. instead
of paying 1t out every year to those to
whom II does not belong? II they
want to have money on hand for a con-
uingenny, why do they not lay away.
say 100000 at interest upon which
they can draw at sight? It is all right
TO provide for dlsastens, providing there
is any probable disaster in sight, bait
IL our water works should burn down
/ presume the insurance would cover
much Of the loss, and our basins are
too far up to even be in danger OF
floods, Yes, there might he an earth
quake to upheave the whole business
pipes and ALL and spill all the water
out Of the basins; but in that case
there would be no houses lett In the
city to supply with water, and We our
selves would be in a land whore some
people do not need water.
In the foregoing | have not referred
to unlmproved property. Near my
residence are three vacant plots Of
ground. worth at least $4,000. The
OWNERS OF these lots. under our pres
emit system, do not pay one cent water
tax, and yet they take from the pock-
cts Of water users every year $50, and
apply Il on their city taxes. Does the
Water Department. say this Is just? As
well might they thrust their hand
down in my pocket and take out what
belongs to me by right and hard work
and hand II over TO my neghbor. The
Pyle bin, while reducing water rents
and increasing taxes, viii work no
hardships to anyone. Ii will only
Place the burden Of taxation where 1t
belongs, and relieve those who ought
to be relieved. and the Water Depart
ment win stlll have an annual surplus
OF nearly $4,000 This sum looks big
enough to at least buy few pieces Of
pipe and pay for surveying a site for a
new water tower In the western part
OF the CITY OF which so much has been
written. But in the event that no ex.
tensions are made This year what
does the department propose doing
with the surplus Of $50. 600? AS the new
law does not take effect until 1900 we
Will anNlously wait to see IL they win
be just and honorable enough to divide
the pro rata among those whose money
made the surplus and among these
only II this is done every year no fur
ther legislation win be needed OF a
compulsory nature. In fact, there
would be no need OF Senate bill No. AZ.
But until we have that assurance we
will insist the bin ought to become a
law, and believe It will be by the gov
ei1Or's signature
Our Water Department deserves
much praise for the efficient manner
IN which Il manages the system, and
] nv NhN wants W NlAIlAt IL bllt ioNAt but
they are men, and as such not infal.
Liable. While they have brought the
water system TO lts present standard Of
efficiency and economy, they have
made a grewous mistake in charging
these who use water double rates, and
then dividing the surplus thus gained
with those who have no moral or legal
right to it. e. p. p.
Wilmington, March %, 1899.
We commend "E. p. P." for his ac-
tion, but would remind him that thif
delegation OF Republican eunpims-grab-
bers appears to have our Democratic
governor by the cans, and that the peo-
PIE OF Wilmington will have to wal
until the next session of the General
Assembly for redress. Then It will
come, and theme will be no Governor
nunneil to override the will OF the rep
resentatiyes and to act as the barlNei
Of these rich men Who are having near
lg 100000 of their taxes paid by the
laborlng men OF the city
'E. p. p" has made an excellent ar
grment, but with Governor Tunnell Z
pair Of silk stockings is apparently
more weighty than any argument. A.
The Pyle biz would not have gone irtJ
effect until next january. but rne yea,
win elapse before the remedy win bi
applied. by that time Governor TunD
nell will have gone out OF Office. and al
he persisted in his purpose to obey thl
Demands OF this delegation, and to ig
noue the expressed wishes OF the du.!
e'ected representatives OF TINS people
HnecH mIll not be water consumer q
bna city RHO win regret his cetire
lment.