The Brownsville daily herald. [volume] (Brownsville, Tex.) 1897-1910, 1909-12-28
THE CITY WILL HAVE
SEWERS.


Another long stride on the High
way of Progress was made yesterday
b., Brownsville, when a franchise
vas granted to the Brownsville Sew
erage Company for the construction
Of a system of sewers in this city.
The company which has obtained
khis franchise, composed as it is Of
leading citizens and property owners
Of Brownsville, viii do its best TO
have the proposed system construct
sd as quickly as possible and to get
the best work that it may be possible
70 obtain for the money. This fran
chise was not sought by these citi-
zens as a money making investment
not for the purpose of selling it.
The capital is already subscribed,
and it will not even be necessary to
60 abroad to seek means where
with to do the work. Thus the town
viii not be kept waiting for the pro-
posed improvement any longer than
Necessary. The franchise was sought
for the purpose of putting it into
Immediate effect. 1t was owing to the
desire of the company to get the
sewers constructed before summer,
that the council was induced to act
without further delay upon the fran
shise, and it is the intention to Sc
cure bids and have the work begun
al the earliest possible moment with
that end in view. According to the
engineers estimate of the time ne
eessary for its construction. the sys-
tenn could be finished before the end
CT May.
While The Herald found some
things to criticise in the original
draft of the ordinance. yet the prin-
sipaI objections have been removed
~ amendments made in the ordin-
ance as passed These involve the
sutting down of the life of the fran
eilise from fifty to twenty-five years,
me limit of the profit allowed on the
iuFesment to ten per cent, the
change of the proposed terms on
which the city may purchase the
plant, so as to eliminate the book
gaIue" clause and submit the price
60 a committee of arbitration. With
these amendments. the franchise VIII
probably prove fair to both city and
company 1t is to be regretted. how
ever, that the ordinance does not fix
the rates that may he charged for
the sewer service and for making
connections with the system. and also
limiting the amount OF water which
tue city must furnish gratis for flush
ing the sewers.
Il has been done somewhat has
tily. il is true, and time may develop
flaws that are not observed at first
glance Hasty work is APT 10 be ill-I
considered. and The Herald would
have been pleased had the council
given the matter a little more mature
thought Still. so Ions as the fran
ehise remains in the hands OF the
present company. such flaws will new
az. become claws to hurt the people.
Tie fact that the city has retained
ria right TO purchase the sewer plant
within five years, or every five years
thereafter. gives the people "a chance
10 safeguard the interests of the city.
IA the event that the present com
many should in the meantime dispose
al the franchise to some hard-fsted
corporation which might take adyan-
age of any weak points in the in
strument.
Meanwhile. Brownsville has cause
far rejoicing, for self-cOngratulation,
mon the granting of this franchise,
because il insures the speedy acquiSi-
7,.n of one of its greatest needs A
system is absolutely essen
70 the further development of
town. The town is es-
iallv 10 be congratulated upon
fact that the company obtaining
franchise is made up OF our own
How townsmen, who have been I'M
he'd by public spirit and civic pride
do this thing for the general good
not through selfish motives II
Ks well for Brownsville that she
ch progressive citizens 1t
well for the future of the town.
.,a;es pure and SWeet.-PloW S