The watchman and southron. [volume] (Sumter, S.C.) 1881-1930, 1900-10-24
TIE MASS MEETING.
The Question of Sewerage Dis
cusssd by Cltlz ans.

The Question Of Sewerage Dis
cusssd by Cltlzsn
The mass meeting, called oy the City
Cou1cil to discuss the question Of sewerage,
was held in the Opera House last nigh. with
between hundred aud hundred and Fifty
property owners and voters present.
The meeting was called to order by Mayor
Ssrckey who stated the ject of the meet
ing. The body was organized for business
by the election of Mr. Altsmont Moses as
Chairman and Dr.. H. u. Stuckey, as Sscre-
tary.
Dr.. S. G. Baker, by request, stated for the
Board Of Health the sanitary conditions
existing in the city that, in the opinion Of the
Board of Health. render the construction of
q sewerage system necessity as means OF
preserving the public heaI,h. he stated that
the necessity for sewerage has been intensified
since the erection Of the water works system
by the large quantity of waste water dis
charged from bath tubs and kitchen sinks,
the multiplication of water closets and cess
pools for the reception of fecal matter, aud
the conetqneut contamination Of the natural
water supply of those who do not use city
water but draw their supplies from wells or
driven pumps. He reviewed the efforts the
Board of Health had made 20 establish the
dry .earth closet system and outlined bow
snch q system would be operated and what
results would and wsuld not be accomplished
by it if established, emphasizing tie fsct that
in town where there is water works sys-
ten the dry earth closet system could not be
ae effective as where there is none, becauee
this system does net and canoot dispose Of
waste water, kitchen slops, etc. he gave 1t
as his opinion that with the increase in the
number Of water closets, with cess pool an
ne1es, the conditions will grow ssesdily worse,
the water of wells and pumps will become
more contaminated and that sewerage sys-
tenn and the abolition of cess pools are oeces-
ssry for the protection of tbs 10 to IS per
cent of the citizens who use water from wells
and pumps and DO not use the uncontsu:ret-
ed city water.
A general discussion followed Messrs T. 3.
Fraser, Jr, l. c. Strauss, Neill O. Doanell. B.
r Nash, Rev. c. C. Brown, Dr.. Geo ".
Dick, a. B. Stuckey, ". B Boyle, R O..
Pordy, DR.. q. II. Stucky, E W. Hurst, R. /.
Maonirg aad others made talks.
Early in the proceedings Mr.. I. c Strauss
TOOK the position shat it was the duty OF the
City Council to decide as 10 the necessity Of
havirg survey of the city made for sewerage,
and that the people have oothing to do With
il until the question of issuing bonds for the
construction of the sewerage system shall be
Submitted to them he therefore moved that
the meeting adjourn. This motion was voted
down The discussion proceeded in an Informal
manner until Dr.. Stucky ofesered resola
ton, 'sthat it is the sense Of this meeting that
Ci;y Council employ sanitary engineer 20
make a survey of the city and furnish p'aas
for add 40 estimate of the approximate cost
of sewerage system.".
This resolution received q second aad it vas
discussed and along with it variety of sub
jects incidental to the sewerage question were
brought in for more or less consideration.
DR.. Geo. VI Dick introduced in his re-
marks letter from Mr.. G. c. Wilson, saul
,ary engioeer, IN which the proposition was
made that if be should be engaged 70 draw
the plans for the sewerage he would charge
nothing except the regular 5 per cen, Of tbs
cost cf the system, payable when the system
shall be built.
After the discussion had proceeded fox some
time Mr. E. l. Aanping offered as substitute
for Dr.. Sssckeys resolution the following:
Resolved that the city council be requested
to tase the necessary steps for ordering an
election to decide as to the issue of bonds for
the construction of sewerage system.
This was amended on motion af Mr. Neill
O'Denne,l by adding, t'psovided the cost
shsll not exceed $50, COO"
The amendment was accepted By Mr. Man
ming and as amended was adopted.
The meeting then adjourned.
1t is impossible, of course, to publish fal!
and detailed report of all that was said by
the various speakers, aus one point by Rev.
C. 9 Brown was 80 suggestive that DOT 20
mel ton j, would be to omit the most p:acti-
cal idea suggested duriag the meeting. He
advocates sewerage, because he believes i: a
necessity, be favors the tota, abolition OF GEES
pooss, because be is convioced that they create
s;cksess aud are particularly Injurious to
those who do no, use city water, aod he ad-
vocates as preliminary step survey Of The
city and drawing Of a comprehensive rlso
fos sewerage system. Then, if the cost be
100 great for the city to undertake !: az
one time, he suggests that inssead of Coz
tinuiog the putting down Of drainage