Evening journal., 1899-07-14
WATER TOWER FALLS.
DUPONT Agreement Refused
BY City Council Last Night.
COUNCILMAN SMITHS GOOD WORK

CITY LIABLE IN CASE OF ACCI-
DENTs-CHIEF sAssE'S REPORT.
OTHER BUSINESS TRANSACTED.
When City Council voted down the
water tower agreement at
last nights session they performed an
act which will be commended by all
good citizens.
The Park and Water Commissioners
desired to erect a water tower in Rock
ford Park to supply water to residents
of the northwestern section of the city.
The site selected for the erection Of the
tower was in Rockford Park, on land
which had originally been owned by
the DuPonts and decided by them to the
city on condition that it should be used
only for park purposes.
WANTED AN AGREEMENT.
When the question arose Of erecting
the tower upon this spot the DuPonts
were consulted, as it was an infringe
ment upon their grant to use the land
for any other purpose than that desig-
mated in the deed.
After a consultation on the matter
the DuPonts expressed a willingness
that the tower should be built under
certain conditions.
They stated that the locality was not
a doruor,,ro ono o,I tto,r ,1,.Tl -
have done otherwise upless they placed
themselves in an ugly position. mas
much as it was a public park, but they
insisted that If the tower was erected
that the city should assume all re-
sponsibility in cases OF accidents of
any kind. An ironclad agreement was
accordingly drawn up to that effect and
presented to Council for it's approval.
When the matter came before that
body originally, it was referred to the
Law Committee and the solicitor, and
a report presented later on by the COM
mittee stated that the proposed agree
ment between the mayor and City
Council and the DuPonts was not con-
trary to law.
Councilman Smith at once opposed
the proposition on the ground that II
there was no danger in the locality
there was no necessity for such an
agreement, and if there was danger II
was not Just to the citizens Of VIII
mington that Council should sanction
the erection of a tower or building in
a dangerous locality and then have
the city assume all the responsibility
of any accidents that might occur. II
the proposed tower was so unsafe as tc
require an agreement. such as the one
proposed, let the Park and Water Com.
missions select another locality.
Mr.. Smith fought the proposition
hard and earnestly and almost alone
and it was due to his efforts that tn,
matter was laid over until the new
Council took charge Of the city's af
fairs.
COMMISSIONERS ANXIOUS.
Since that time the Park Commits
lsioners have been very anxious that thu
agreement should be signed, and Presi
dent Candy, accompanied by Wash
ington Hastings. then a Water Com
sioner. called at the Council chambe
on a certain Wednesday night wheI
the members were caucusing, and trie,
to explain to them why they shoul,
allow the agreement to be signed.
Mr.. Smiths opinion could not b.
changed, however, and as he was chair
man of the Park Committee, the othe
} members were not anxious to act in op
. position to his wishes in the matter.
Finally the members of Council wer
invited to visit the locality, and did SC
Mr.. Smith remaining away.
Last night the question was agail
brought up for action by Mr.. Oberly
: who had the original communicated
in reference to the tower read for tn
benefit of the new members.
The proposed indemnifying agree
a ment with the DuPonts was also reaI
4 and it protected the powder firm fror
damages occasioned to the tower q
people about it by explosions OF tn
= powder works.
Mr.. Smith arose and offered a me-
tion that the proposed agreement be r'
J. jected, and Mr.. Cannon at once seconC
i ed the motion. Mr.. Fisher called for
e rising vote, and when President Ale'
e lander put the motion every Democrat
= member in Council arose to his fe'
u and showed their opposition to Il
u measure, when the call for the na
o vote was made the three lonely Repul
'r licans arose and indicated their al
l. proval of the entering into an agre
% ment which might cost the city of wi
o. mington thousands of dollars. NJ
Le Smith had won his fight and a vi
tory for the people.
N CHIEF sASSE'S REPORT.