The watchman and southron. [volume] (Sumter, S.C.) 1881-1930, 1901-10-09
Sumter, S. c., Sept. 26, 1901.
tho CITY Rnard of Health

Sumter, S. c., Sept. 26, 1901.
To the City Board of Health.
Gentlemen: At council meeting last
night I presented your letter of 9Th
inst, in which you renew the request
that competent engineer be employed
to survey the city, and give an esti-
mate of cost of sewerage system: !:
which you declare to be-in your opin-
iona great necessity.
Upon due consideration the council
instructed me to say in reply that the
financial condition of the city does not
at this time warrant expenditure of so
large sum as will be required for
this work. Particularly as it might
prove needless expense-and would
be of no benefit whatever, unless the
taxpayers or freeholders of Sumter
should decide to have the system built.
You gentlemen realize of course
that the construction of a sewerage
system is impossible, except by issuing
bonds from sale OF which the necces-
sary funds may be obtained.
You further understand that the
state constitution prescribes the steps
to be taken in order to authorize a
bond issue: First petition of a ma
jority of freeholders, and then ratif-
cation by vote of qualified electors.
This being the case it follows that
council cannot move in the matter
until the petition referred to is pre-
sented. When that is done council
would have no option but to order
an election as required.
In this connection I am authorized
to say that council is of the opinion
that bond issue at this time, for
this purpose would be unwise.
Notwithstanding this view they are
ready and willing to carry out, as best
they can, the wishes of the people.
Council is not opposed to anything
that will promote the health or pros
perity of Sumter: nor do they fail to
appreciate the value and convenience
of sewerage. But it is their province
and duty to administer the financial
affairs of the city in a conservative
manner, and avoid if possible future
conditions which might prove hurtful
to the best interest of the community.
They deem municipal ownership of our
water system an essential prerequisite
to sewerage, and think the latter should
remain in obeyance until the first Is
an accomplished fact.
Inquiry we think VEIL reveal the
fact that towns of the size of Sumter
that have sewerage own their water
system-and in many instances they
own both water and lights.
Our taxable property is assessed at
something less than a million anc
half dollars, and it woald require an
additional tax of two mills to pay m
terest on the new bonds-assumln the
amount to be fifty thousand dollars
and the rate of interest SIX per cent.
which is the rate We are paying on all
bonds now outstanding. And interest
is not the only thing to consider. The
Constitution of the State makes it
imperative that sinking fund be
created which will pay the boDds at
maturity. There cannot be reissue.
Nor can payment be left to posterity
as has been the rule of the past. That
would mean further tax Of about one
mill and half on twenty year bonds.
Again, it is estimated that twelve
miles of sewerage. pipe will be needed
for a reasonably good service. That
amount would not place sewerage
within reach of great many citizens,
but grant that 1T will meet the present
demand: then we must at orce double
our water mains. We have now only
six miles of mains, and sewer pipes
would be useless except on the course
of water mains. Doubling the water
mains means doubling the water rent
which now amounts to about three
thousand dollars annually. That
would mean also additional tax of two
mills to pay increased water rent.
Even then there is no provision for
flushing the pipes, and how much that
service would cost we have no IDEA,
but it would add considerably to our
expenses.
Should we issue fifty thousand dol
lars worth of bonds now that would
be so near the eight per cent limit
fixed by the constitution that we could
not hope to purchase our own water or
electric light system. We would there
fore be forced to continue contracts
with private parties or corporations
for these public utilities. If on the
other hand we could own them, the
income from private patronage would
largely, if not quite support these
necessary institutions. Then we
would be free to make other improve
ments, among which sewerage might
be first and foremost.
Again, it might be we'll to remind
YOU that within two years we must
reissue large part of our present
bonds, and within the next few years
there will be a reissue OF them all.
As they are reissued we must provide,
not only for interest as has been the
case heretofore, but we must also
create sinking fund for their pay
ment. This will mean more taxes too,
unless property values increase mate
rally.
pear as undeniable and serious facts,
council thinks a bond issue for sewer
age at this time means to tie our hands
against future progress and improve
ment, and would not be good policy,