The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1904-11-08
1T IS OURS
City Council Decides to Buy the
Water Plant.
Vote on the Resolution Is
Unanimous.
NOTHING in THE WAY.
Only Tschnicalities Remain to
Be Adjusted.
Proposition to Take Plant In-
troduced by Mr. Holiday.
Satisfied That Course Is the
Proper One.
Vote on the Resolution Is
Unanimous.
VOTHING IN THE WAY.

cry one of the twelve members of the
city council lined up Monday night in
favor of the immediate purchase OF the
plant. Those councilmen who have
heretofore opposed the purchase, after
repeated caucuses, came to the con-
clusion that the time had come to
change their position, and they sur
rendered en- masse. Councilman c Il
Holiday, leader of the opposition, was
also leader of the stampede. Mr.. Hol-
liday introduced the following resolu-
ton, which was seconded by Council
man ]. w. F. Hughes, another opposi-
tion leader. and passed, amid the loud
applause of all the members of the
council, the city officials, and about q
hundred spectators.
Whereas: The majority of this council
has opposed the purchase of the water
works plant for the reason stated IN a
series of resolutions adopted by this coun-
ell at a recent meeting in October; and.
Whereas: Since the adoption OF SAID res
olutions the majority of this council has
most searching investigation TO pc nsu-
tuted as to the status OF the company
with the city from legal point of view:
Whereas: It is the consensus of opinion
of the best legal talent of the city of To-
peka, that the legal points inVolved-eVen
if won by the city-would afford the city
Whereas: 1t is also the consensus OF
opinion of the legal talent of this city.
mess fness nro1ositionIas to whether it is bet
ter to build a new plant, admitting that
this might be done' or purchase the olo
Whereas: The city in it's past relations
with the water company has caused a
condition to exist that admits of no al
tentative but to purchase or extend fran
chise of the water company, to avoid lit
whereas: Neither the water company
nor the city desires to have said fran
whereas The people of Topeka at an
election held nearly two years ago, au-
thorized the mayor and the council to
purchase the water works plant at S620,o0o;
and.
Wbereas: The majority of the council
has in no wise changed its views as to the
price being excessive; and,
Whereas: Lower water rates, main ex-
tensions and adequate fire protection are
immediate necessities, -,
of the city of Topeka should at once pro-
ceed to consummate the purchase OF the
on the terms and conditions Contained in
the proposition submitted to and voted
upon by the electors Of said city at the
approval of the schedule of the property
constituting said plant by the mayor and
council and subject to the approval Of
the title to said property by the attor-
neys for the city;
owners of said water plant be required to
furnish the attorneys of the city full
sonal constituting said water plant and
which it is proposed to turn over to the
said city and that said attorneys be df-
rected to report at. the earliest practical
to all said property included in said
+ Resolved: Further. that the city clerk
be directed to furnish a copy OF these
(Signed) c. X. HOLIDAY.
This action of the council puts an
end to all further difficulty and dis
putes about the purchase of the plant.
The will of the people will be respect
ed. The plant will come into the pos
session of the city of Topeka.
It should now be the highest ambi-
tion of every councilman to sec to it
that the plant is organized and con-
Quoted on a strictly partisan basis.
Changes in the force for political rea-
sons should be prohibited. The city
should realize the necessity of handling
the plant as strictly business pro-
position
All that now remains to be done is to
investigate the title to the property.
turn over the $3.50, 900 in bonds which
now lie unsigned in the city's vaults,
and take possession of the property.
President Street will no doubt be sum-
moned to return to Topeka at once,
and while the question of title is be-
ing investigated, the council Will adopt
an ordinance providing the manner of
governing the city's new possession. 1t
is probable that the management OF
the plant will be placed entirely In
the hands of a board of water commits
sioners of three members. 1t may be
necessary to have "A law passed by the
next legislature setting forth the plan
Of organization
The scene which attended the unan-
imous decision of the council last night
to buy the plant for $620,000 was in
some ways quite dramatic.
When Councilman Holiday arose to
present his resolution, the meeting had
been in progress only about half an
hour
Il ask for unanimous consent he
To. hrfr a m a fVr1o
out of it's regular order under the head
of resolutions. 1t is a matter of con-
siderable Importance, relating to the
waterworks controversy, and desire
to present it now because l was ac-
cused of waiting to present my other
waterworlxs resolution until everybody
had gone home"
Mr. Holiday then read his resolution
and moved it's adoption, and burst of
applause from all parts of the room re-
Iieved the tension which had been de-
veloping while the audience realized
the nature of the document, and the
Significance of the situation. The
presentation of such resolution was
entirely unexpected except to themem-
bers of the Opposition party"
Councilman Hughes seconded the
motion for the adoption of the reso-
luton and then Councilman Green
suggested that it might be good
plan to reconsider the action of the
council taken at the previous meet
ing.