Albuquerque weekly citizen. (Albuquerque, N.M.) 1891-19??, 1905-09-23
the QUESTION or WATER
WORKS FOR ROSWELL
JUDGE @. A. RICHARDSON FAV.
oRs MUNICIPAL OWNERSHIP.
GIVES LEGAL OPINION.

In an interview published In the
Roswell Record, relative 20 water
works for that rapidly growing city.
Judge e.. A. Richardson, who has
been here the past few days attend
ing the Bar association and the ter
rltorlai fair. spoke as follows. and his
ideas are excellent, not only for Ros-
well. but also for other cities;
In the first place IL Is a question
of very great importance to the city
Of Roswell and Involves two propo-
s.tions as To ownership. aud naturally
suggests the two following ideas
among the citizens OF Roswell. First
municipal ownership, and second, phi
yate ownership. These two relate
Ia the control and management Of the
wwer supply which the city OF ROs'
we'll must secure and which the citl-
Gems at Roswell must use; but pOssl-
hly at this particular time In the his
tory OF Roswell there are two other
questions involved which may be OF
much greater importance than mat
ter OF ownership and management;
first, the question OF health, ana see
ond the protection 10 life and prop
erty. II is doubtful whether there r.
"a city OF 1900 people, with the ad.
yantages aud future which Roswell
has In the United states but what
has ample water supply for domestic
use and water protection, and Roswell
seems TO be a little In the Tag In
settling 80 important an interest to
her welfare.
I'VE must realize. and the sooner
the better. that railroads are being
built and projected in Southeastern
New Mexico, and towns and young cit
les are springlng mp with splendid re-
sources back OF them, and, II we In
tend TO be the center OF this develop
ment We must look a little after our
domestic, or internal affairs. We will
have competitors near us In the growth
and development OF Southeastern New
Mexico, and a splendid good water
supply for ali OF our domestic and
fire protection uses, Is very essential
to our future growth.
"As for myself. am in favor OF the
| city owning It's water plant and ! am
OF the opinion that ample authority
| exists under the congressional law 81
/ 1897 for a bond issue Tor any amount
necessary 10 install a FIRST class water
supply and have assured protection
The law to which ! refer, not only
/ permits. authorizes and legalizes' d
! bond issue for water works, hut pro
/ yldes a procedure for such issue. II
Is not necessary Tor The legislature OF
New Mexico 10 leglslato; In fact, 4
Is useless for q TO lcgislate upon TINS
! subject Congress has not only re-
moved the limitations which were inn
posed and existing under the Springer
act. but went further and authorized
a bond issue. and provided how II
should be- done. Congress has aho
lutte power OF legislation In The ter
/ r.tnry, and neither the people MOI
\ THEFT representative assemblies have
any rights which congress need re
/ spect
"The city Of Roswell IN my iuig
meni, should act In this manner whef
a necessity exists as al present an,
not wait for a calamity or disaster q
oyortake as.
a proper adjustment Of IRE insur
ance rates. resulting from adequate
, fire protection by reason OF a waite
plant, would save 70 the property
owners In insurance nearly enough Il
pay the interest on the bonds