Polk County observer. (Monmouth, Polk County, Or.) 1888-1927, 1903-04-10
LET ALL STAND TOGETHER.

tl0n means muCn LOT Odlld6 luGuTe
welfare and prosperity. 1t means
that the city council can now go
ahead and carry out the improve
ments SO greatly needed by the
town. AS might have been ex-
pected, there were many different
opinions as to the best method Of
supplying the town with water
service, and it was in Difference to
these opinions that the council de-
cided to submit the whole matter
to the people for their considera ion
and instructions. The people have
spoken, and in such certain terms
as to leave no doubt in the minds
of the members of the council as to
the course to be pursued. That
body will now proceed to carry out
the wishes Of the people as ex-
pressed in both the September and
April elections.
1t is certain that the greater
part OF the opposition to the system
Of waterworks proposed by the
Gates ordinance will disappear as
soon as the work of putting in the
plant is under way. There were
objections to the plan proposed for
the building of the railroad to Falls
City, but the moment the construc-
ton work was begun the opposition
melted away like dew before the
morning sun, and today some Of
the strongest enthusiasts as to the
benefits to be derived from the
building and operation OF this road
are men who were found in the
ranks of doubters and obstruction
lists when the project first came up
for consideration. Today it seems
almost impossible Of belief that any
citizen of Dallas ever opposed the
building Of this road; and yet it is
a fact, as the writer of these lines
has good cause to remember.
The carrying out Of the Gates
ordinance will insure the building
of water-works this season, and the
installation of a plant that the peo-
pie Of Dallas will be proud Of. 1t
means plenty of work and lively
town the coming Summer; it means
wholesome water and healthy
people, splendid fire protection and
lower insurance rates, beautiful
streets and lawns, more attractive
homes, and an increase in the
value Of every foot of property in
the town--in fact, all Of the benefits
that bountiful supply of good,
pure mountain water can bring.
The city council has endeavored
at all times to act in good faith
with the people, and the motion to
submit the question to the tax
payers was carried by unanimous
vote. The friends of the Gates
ordinance defended the measure in
an honest and sincere manner, and
only asked that ii be considered
upon its merits. They did not
seek to dodge or evade the issue in
any way, and were willing to rest
content with the verdict of the
people, whatever the same might |
be. The ordinance was thoroughly |
discussed in order that it might be
understood, and after the most
or;t,oa1 avo OatiNr onI v,onturo
reflection the people endorsed the
ordinance passed by the council |
and signed by the Mayor by vote
that left no doubt as to their wish
in the matter.
1t is now the duty, and should |
be the desire, of every loyal citizen
of Dallas 10 lend TO he council
possible aid and encouragement IN
the work of carrying out the pro-
visions of this ordinance Thy
courcil is fixed in its determination
to build the water-works. let this
be plainly understood The mem-
bers of that body will also use
every effort To keep the expense of
securing the needed right-of-way
ana water rights at the lowest
kn)tch, in order to make the
cost to the taxpayers as small as
possible. In this part of the work,
the people can help. Let there be
no talk OF obstruction by any
citizen of Dallas. II there is to be
opposition to the measure, let it
come from the few outside property
owners who have already caused
the city all this trouble and costly
delay by their refusal to grant the
small concessions asked for. Let
all the people of Dallas stand
shoulder to shoulder and show
these few obstructionists that the
city means business, and that it
intends to build these water-works
in spite Of all obstacles that may
be thrown in the path. 1t is now
time for all citizens to get together.
A house divided against itself will
fall, and city rent by internal
strife and dissension cannot grow
and prosper. The "rule or ruin"