The Paducah sun. [volume] (Paducah, Ky.) 1898-1906, 1906-02-08

$500
we're elected as a protest against the |
kind of Aldermen and Councflmen
the city has been having the last
decade Now this General Council
enters Office with the declared in
tention of giving the city the best
administration 1t is capable of. In
other words, the members start out
to give the people the most possible
tor their money.
The question of appropriations
comes up. and the custodiars of the
city lighting plant suggest that they
want an appropriation of s12, 900 to
run the 165 lights the city has. They
also want an appropriation of about
$4,000 TO put the plant in order,
that it may furnish proper lights.
The statement becomes current
that the city's lights have been cost
ing a great deal of money; much
more than they should.
The general light committee re-
ceived from the Traction Company a
bid to furnish the city's lights, and II
is said that the price approximates
from s62. to 500 per light per annum
for all-night lights. A little figuring
on what 1t has been costing the city
to furnish its own lights developed
the apparent fact that the Traction
Company's offer would save the city
several thousand dollars per year, 4
ii is accepted.
The Sun has said that the Light
Committee would make an investiga-
ton of the city's books and II should
be found to be true that 1t is costing
the city much more to make lights
than it will to buy them, then the
General Council undoubtedly mus.
make a contract that will save the
people all that is possible.
One of the most reliable and pains
taking business men in the city and
one Totally unconnected with the
Traction company, has furnished the
Sun with statement of what ii is
costing the city to make its own
lights. These figures are given In
another column and the Sun is free
to confess, that if the investigation
hears out any such figures, then We
are unhesitatingly in favor of the
city abandoning the lighting OF its
own streets and giving the business
out by contract. If it shall be found
that the city has been able to make
lights cheaper than they are now
offered them, figured in a business
way, then the Sun is in favor of the
city running the plant and saving
the money. The people have been
tax-ridden long enough and have re-
ceived too little for their taxes. A
business administration of its affairs
directs that the taxpayers shall have
every cent saved from them that is
possible and consistent with an en-
terprising city government.
Our friends first referred to H.
this article can from this article SEQ
what our position is with reference
TO saving the people money and to
this light proposition, although we
have not heretofore expressed an
opinion based on definite informa-
ton.
We regret that the 'fPublic" is de-
sorting our banner and that ii going
to stray off after false gods. 1t has
done this so often in the past though
and we have suffered in mind and
Turse so fearfully as a result, that
we have to an extent become unde-
cided as to whether or not the Pub
lie" very often knows it's own mind
The public is assured, however.
that the Sun will endeavor to know
its own mind and that when it forms
conclusion as to the best interest
of the city on proposition, 1t will
state II, even though it assume much
the same position as that of admin
is;ering a dose of medicine to sick
child