Delaware gazette and state journal. (Wilmington, Del.) 1883-1902, 1899-03-09
DELAWARE DEIAWAl

have paid that much money over and
above the cost of delivering water TO
their houses. The whole amount of
water bonds is S6T7,000. II the sur
plus had been applied to the redemp-
tion of the bonds, probably nothing
would have been said about it. At
the end of this year, We would have
owed $50. 600 on the bonds. l am told
that the bonds were reduced $50, 900 u
few years ago. Take house worth
81, 500. The tax rate for city purposes
is 81. 10. The tax for city purposes
would be 521. Cut the rate of water
tax 40 per cent. The water tax is ST..
Forty per cent OF S12 is "a. so. If we
make this cut, we will have to raise
taxes elsewhere. Tho city assessment
is $40, O0o,0 900. Increase tho tax rate
for city purposes to Sl,55. The adj
ditional 10 cents on the 500 would
raise s60,000.''
Senator Knox-."Why take S1,500
house? l suggest 50, 500 or $1,000
house. Few mechanics 1.-Two in 81, 500
houses"
Senator Pyle-"I will take any. Take
the Kent warehouse. 1t cost 1000,
and is assessed at 49,. 600. ~
Senator Knox-tYou have selected
the only building that does not have
| water"
Senator Pye-"Take the Charles
Warner Co. They do not use much
water. If they do. they pump 1t from
| the river. "
Senator KNOX, water tax, last
year, was 81, 0s4. CO."
| Senator Pyle-."I ask you how much
property the Bancrofts own, aud how
/ mol far t,x
Senator Knox-"The city water sup
| ply has not been extended to them. ~
| Senator Pyle-"They are in the city
| limits.
Senator Knox-"Last year they paid
1928"
SENATOR KNoX's REPLY.
In reply to Senator Pyle's plea, Sena-
tor Knox said: 81 am not an owner
of vacant lots. ] am one of the down
trodden citizens who owns q house, yet
am opposed to the bill. l am here
advocating what was Democratic
measure. The Water Department is a
eodsend to the city of Wilmington.
The department is wonderful sue,
cess. 1t is the only department in the
city of Wilmington of which can say
that. 1t pulled the old department
out of a hole. This department has
never been criticised. 1t is one of the
best, il not the best, in the United
States. ="
There are upwards of 5000. 600 Of
bonds outstanding, Senator Knox re-
marked, land when Senator Pyle con.
tends that S5O0,000 or S600,0 600 have
been paid in the general fund, he
shows that he is not acquainted with
the rules Of finance. There is no sur
, plus until the interest on the bonds is
paid. II the bill passes, it will bt
utterly impossible for tho department
! TO comply with law. The commission
! shall pay to the city the amount Of
interest due in each year. During the
ID years, beginning with 1886, tht
surplus turned in amounted to $3.50. 06
The average yearly interest is $50, 600
} The average interest is 5 per cent
} practically 100000 in - years. Afte
the interest is paid, only Sl39, 06l arr
/ paid in from the surplus to the Cit,
t Council, which body pays the interest
/ There we're large snrpluses in 1897 ant
( 1898, because there were no extra
ordinary expenses. In 1883, the surplu
would not pay the interest. We fint
that we have got to enlarge the waite
s facilities. It is proposed to put in Mt
q Salem hill reservoir or stand pipe
q The people of Eastlake are clamorin
d for water facilities, which will cos
a $4,000. 1t is necessary to take u
r 4 inch mains, and put down 10 or IL
! inch mains. II will cost 800, 600, prob
/. ably, to run the department this yeai
+ This cut would reduce the water tax
!. $4,000 and there would be nothin
!. left to pay interest, or mako improve
| a., Ia a ~ .hp
rates than Wilmington, and two hay
;. less rates. -
!, 1.-THE l4,0O0 poor families" Senate
Knox continued, ~ have not hear
> from single one l have not heard {
Il any man who objects to the preser
rates. / do not find single person i
o favor of the bill. If l4,000 familit
& want reduction, why do they not sen
% protests here? | havs letter from Ii
4 treasurer of the Harlan & Holling
"a worth Co. They do not use Christian
water, They purchase water from tn
al city. Last year they paid tho cit
If So, 23l. 10. They oppose the bill. III
a. Pussy & Jones Co. do not use Christ
ID ana water. They paid the Water ID
h partment 81, 239. 80 last year. The
= hope the bill will be defeated. The
arc the jackson & Sharp Co., the Dit
mond State Iron Co. and others. 1t
m the custom of the department to hi
~ supplies In the fall. Operations begi
4" in the summer. In the fall, there
u; no demand, and the market is Low
Mt in the spring, there is q demand, M
rs the market is up. The departmel
/ buys in the fall because the market
IL down. This $4,000 worth of pipes
es they were bought today, they won
m cost $4,000. | have letter from WI
We liam I. Porter, the president Of Il
of Board of Water Commissioners.
o says: L think il is tho duty Of Il
IS citizens Of Wilmington, and not Il
ho members of the department, to stat
of in the way of this raid; and if tn
in will not, it is time for us to get out
10, Tho loss of Mr.. Porter would be
NJ calamity. The people of Wilmingt
he scout the idea of the bill being passe
We Only one paper favors the hill-a par
ire which is not read by the citizens, ~
or. which does not reflect public opinio
III If tho bill PASSES, We may have
Tor repetition Of what occurred at Harrj
lot burg, where the Legislature was driv
of out of second-story windows. -
Senator Pyle-"I have not got ar
nd thing to say against any member
tor the department. The bill does not
ire into effect until nearly year hen'
'ey The department will have on ha
ne 1874, GOO surplus. Senator Knox said
nd the newspapers are against the bi
"a Maybe they are. | know some lit
rly about the sentiment Every Event
ace is, probably. the leading paper. PRO
al ably 1t reflects public opinion.
to represents Mr.. Bancroft. The paper
l. a., -.