The Clarksburg telegram. [volume] (Clarksburg, W. Va.) 1874-1926, 1900-03-02
THE BOND ORDINANCE.


Aswas announced last week the City Council
convened Tuesday night for the purpose of con.
;derinc and adoptinga an ordinance to be submitted
to the voters Of the city on the ooh of the present
month appropriating sl5 100000 forsewering Main
pike and Oak streets and So, 100000 for paving
such streets. An ordinance was passed and upon
II the voter is asked to express his opinion at the
timed fixed No more important question has
been presented to him than this and he should
therefore give the matter due consideration and
express himself in way by him deemed most
conducive to the welfare of the City. 1t has been
conceded that both the paving and the sewerlng
of the streets important and in fact necessary
for the convenience and health OF the residents OF
the CITY. 1t would be much better If possible or
practicable that all Of the streets should be pro
vided with system of sewerage and paved at
once but that is matter of inconvenience II not
Impractical, as the tax payer could not at this
time bear the burden necessary for that purpose
So that as matter of policy it is necessary that
the system be begun and added to from time to
time as circumstances will admitted. 1t cannot be
provided with these convonieEces at the same time.
AS there must be beginning it is suggested that
the Council acted wisely in selecting the principal
thoroughfares of the City for such Improvements,
"
. large amount annually to extend this system to
other streets. The voter, therefore, should ask
himself the question whether it is better to begin
on these streets and make extensions from time to
time as circumstances will permit, or whether
these conveniences shall be denied to all until such
time as the city may be in condition warranting
the vast outlay required by extending these sys-
TENS to all such streets. In deciding this question
for himself he must to some extent ignore his own
individual and private interests. and decide what
is best for the common good. Selfishness or pri-
-vate interests should not be the determining in
.Auence in matters Of this kind. Convenience to
the greatest number with assurances of such con-
venence to all in prospect should have due weight.
Besides, no doubt provision could and would
be made by the Council permitting others acting
singly or jointly to connect other streets with
those named, with the understanding agreement
that in the course of time those constructing the
approaches should be refunded their outlay and
such convenierces accepted by the city, and nc
doubt many private property holders would be
willing TO enter into arrangement OF this kind
There is no occasion warranting any aspersons
upon the character ability or integrity of members
of the Council who have, at least in this respect
shown desire to meet public expectation, nor is 6
reflection upon their purposes either excusable. Il
s 0S
stroy than to construct However, it may be tina
the voter would be better satisfied if the Council
should appoint Board of Public Works, who
should have In charge the construction of the
proposed improvements and the distribution of thu
proposed appropriation, as was done when tn
water works plant was built. The appointment o
such board would and could in no wise reflect upol
the business qualifications or integrity of the mem
bers of the Council. Such board could meet su
perintend such construction and do all things nee
essary more convenient and. possibly more salts
factorily than the Council. If such board shoul'
be appointed it should be imposed of practlca
men who have had experience in contracting
auditing accounts and with the management
public works. Such men could be easily found
who no doubt would undertake that duty, and no
only undertake but successfully execute it.
However, whatever may be the procedure il
that respect the welfare of the city demands tn
sewerage system and speedy introduction OF
and no better time appears in prospect for Thu
work. @
If undertaken it should result in the employ
ment of our own artisans, laborers and others,
except S, lar as may be found necessary to intro