The Bellefontaine Republican. [volume] (Bellefontaine, Logan County, Ohio) 1855-1905, 1900-01-23
SEWERAGE.
Shall We Vote SlO0,O 900 to Bond
The City for Sewerage
System.
Arguments Pro and Con.

A proposition has been submitted tt
the people for vote upon the question
whether bonds to the amount of 500,
900 shall be issued, to construct a sew
erage system for our city.
This calls for the raising OF large
sum of money, and the matter should
be well considered before the time foi
voting arrives. If it is desirable, the
people would do well to vote for it. If
sewerage system is necessary to the
health of the city, there should be no
vote against it.
But the people are in doubt, and they
need light, to help them to decide
wisely. We have listened at times to
those who favor bonding the CITY and
those who are against it. We have to
confess that there are arguments pro
and con, and we are not an expert,
never having read much upon the SUBJ
ject, and never having had any expert
ence, we have concluded, to give
the arguments we have heard up
w
| write upon the subject through our col
umns; and we especially invite any
| members of the Committee or Board,
appointed by the Mayor and Council,
to give the people the benefit of what
they have learned since they have been
| investigating the question. This is GER
tainly necessary if it is expected to
carry an affirmative vote.
Reasons for Voting Yea.
| l. We have put aside our village
garments, and have become city. A
sewage system is necessity to every
city. No large city is without one.
2. The sooner the sewer pipes are
put down, the cheaper it can be done,
as there will have to be less disturbance
of improved streets.
3. A sewerage system is great con-
| venience, and is fast becoming a neces-
sity. With modern houses going up
every year, with bath rooms, closets,
kitchen sinks, and use of water for
power, there is an absolute necessity
for pipes to carry away the waste.
4. Before we had water works sew
age system was not possible, as large
water supply is necessity to its work
ing. We have now splendid water
supply and an extensive pipe plant to
distribute the water to all parts of the
city.
5. The conveniences and comforts of
a good sewage system cannot be esti-
mated. None who have enjoyed them,
ever want to dispense with them.
6. A good sewage system will con-
tribute largely to the health of the
city, and this consideration should be
more weighty than any other.
I. The congestion of population-the
crowding of population within the linn
its of the old city lines, renders sew
age system almost imperative.
The practical conversion of Possum
Run into an open sewer-already an ac-
complished fact, Injuries property, is Of
| fensive to those who are along its
| course, is sure to breed disease, and
will eventually lead to the recovery OF
heavy damages against the city.
These are some of the most potent
reasons why sewer system should be
constructed, and constructed at once.
Arguments Against.
l. The heavy expense and resulting
| taxation. Our taxes are now over three
mills-more than half the interest that
can be obtained on money-and that
our high taxes will keep capital, manu-
factories, and people who have small
incomes, from moving into our city.
2. 1t will take a large amount of cap.
ital from the city to pay contractors.
3. 1t will benefit those in the center
of the city, while those who cannot af
ford it, or are without the reach of it
will be taxed to benefit those whose
property lies in the center of the cit.
and pays big rents. This class of peo
pie are already paying for water ant
gas privileges enjoyed by others.
4. There is not as much need of sew
erage system now, as there was befOr'
we had good supply of the best of water
When we had to depend on our wells
; the pollution of the wells by the cit.
!, sewerage was an important question
but where that pollution exists, now tn
, people do not and should not be allow
; ed to use well water for they are abl
to get the purest of water from the city
5. There being no longer necessit
for using well water, every family cal
have cesspools in their lots that will
cost less and will be better than larg
sewer ducts that gather the rotteness @
the city and breathe disease back int
the homes where traps become turned
or pipes become clogged.
6. No option has been obtained o
any farm, and if the 100, 900 is voted, W
may have to pay an extravagant pric
for the sewerage farm.
7. No place or plat has been publish
ed to show voters what part of the cit
will be covered by the system. Votel
want to know whether they are to /
left outside it's limits.
s. If sewerage farm is established
y, the southwest of the city, the prevail
'. ing winds being from the south al
is southwest, would not the air of the ci
.e be more or less polluted.
10 q 8. A sewer trust will have put up Il
price of sewer pipe, before we can hu