The watchman and southron. [volume] (Sumter, S.C.) 1881-1930, 1903-06-10
TIE WATER W0EKs MEETING.
Il Meeting Held, But Rain Prevented
Fall Attendance.

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BY order of the City Council for the
y,urposs Of considering the question Of
purchasing the plant and franchise
Of the Sumter Water Go, was held II
ths Opera House last night, but the
attendance was so small that no action
eould be taken, the twenty-five O. thir.
ty taxpayers presens taking the posi-
sion shat they we're two few in number
10 speak for the people Of Sumter il
respect to so important matter.
The small attendance was due to the
state of the weather principally, bat
the hour fixed for the meeting doubt
less had a good deal to do with the
apparent lack of interest. Either q
later or earlier hour would have been
more convenient and when another
meeting its called It will be we'll to
take this into consideration.
The meeting was called for 7.3C
o'clock, and at that hour there were
nos more than twenty persons present.
Alter waiting until after s O'Clock
Tor the crowd to gather and for Mayor
Stuckey. who was expected to preside
over the meeting, TO arrive, the meet
ing was organized by electing, Mr.. G.
C. Rowland, chairman, and Mr.. S.
H Edmunds secretary.
City Clerk and Treasurer Hurst, by
direction OF City Council was pre-
sent and presented for the considera-
sion OF the meeting the facts relative
30 the contract with the Sumter
Water Co. He stated among other
1hings that the original franchise
period has yet nine years to run, at
She. end of which time the city has the
option Of purchasing the water sys-
tenn and franchise at its fair COM
nercial value, said value to be deter
mined by arbitration; that in the
event os the city failing to exercise
this option the contract renews itself
for another twenty years; that the
City Council, in obedience to pub
zie demand that an effort be made to
purchase the water system, had asked
the owners to name price for the
immediate purchase and that q sixty
day option had been given on the sys-
ten the price being $40, 600; that the
gross income Of the water company
has year was in excess Of s8, coo, Of
which sum the city paid So, coo for
hydraat -ens; that the total operating
expenses Of the plant was not more
than $500 and that the system
would not only be self supporting if
purchased by the city, but would pay
Interest on the purchase price and
leave an annual surplus to be applied
TO the creation OF a sinking fund for
Ghe retirement of the purchase price
bonds at maturity The system now
has about nine miles of water mains
and u hydrants; the city has q miles
Of streets and consequently large
part of the city is without FIRE protec-
zion and majority of property owners
cannot obtain water privilege if they
wished to do so. There is an ever in
creasing demand for the extension of
she water system to all parts of the
city, and if these demands be granted
She annual water rent the city will
have to pay to the Water Co., will be
greatly increased. Every extension in
.creases the income of the Water Co.,
and ADDS to the commercial value of
she property Therefore if the city
ever intends to purchase the system it
should be purchased now while the
price is within reach.
The question was discussed in an
informal way by number of those
present
The sentiment OF the meeting seem
ed to be in favos of the purchase OF
the system, the only difference OF
opinion being as to the value of the
plant and how it should be deter
mined.
The following resolution offered by
Mz S. H Edmunds was adopted and
che meeting adioared;
That it is the sense of this meeting
that the City Council are requested to
make all inquiry that may be neces-
sary and call subsequent meeting OF
the citizens at an early date. This
meeting feels that it is not sufficiently
representative to determine so serious
a question