The Brownsville daily herald. [volume] (Brownsville, Tex.) 1897-1910, 1909-05-21
$LETTERS FROM THE s
( PEOPLE !
Newcomer Fires Another Volley at
OIdtimer-He Wants to
Know Why.

l have waited patiently for several
days, thinking l might be favored
with a second communication from
Mr.. Oldtimer. Not having been thus
favored l can't help but believe that
he has spun for himself a soft cocoon,
and is alternating quietly under the
shadows of our luxuriant foliage,
and that he win so remain. until the
manana spirit moves, him to again
break forth from his chrysalis. l do
not say this in sarcasm, or to be
fresh l merely wish to convey that
Mr. Oldtimer's vitality petered out
much too soon to suit me. Having
drawn his fire, in my first letter, |
thought he might take a second shot
at so good a target.
/ am going to fire blank volley,
Mr. Oldtimer, and | trust you may
not have completely wound the silken
threads about your august person,
SO as to dull your senses entirely. but
that you viii waggle yourself, and
reply vigorously for the cause you
have espoused.
Now, Mr.. Oldtimer. you made ex-
cuses for the failure of the electric
| light plant to furnish lights, saying
it was accidental" We have had SO
many accidental nights lately, that
such an assertion is a joke. Why
didn't you consult the aIdermanic
water and light committee before you
spoke, and you would not have
sprung such laugher on the city
And by the way when you do start
to investigate, suppose you find out
what has become of the sewer COM
mittee and enlighten a long-suffering
public as to how soon we may expect
to see the sewer system built | saw
in The Herald where the COMMITTEES
held a meeting to consider this i'm
portant question. There was a whole
| lot of talking done, and several sub
committees were appointed to solicit
sewer subscriptions. They were go
ing to report each day; they were go
ing to push things; they were going
to raise the needed amount by sub
| scription in a jiffy
o, splash what are they doing?
There was one man at the meeting
who did tell some truths, and that
man is Colonel Lott He stated that
the City Council could compel those
living on sewer line to connect with
1t, condemning the cesspools now in
use. That the laws of the State of
Texas provided that any municipality
can adopt such ordinances, and urged
| immediate action.
That's the way to talk. Every
community has its nonprogressive
element. They must be forced to do
the right thing. They need strong
leaders, enthusiastic workers, and
sound thinkers. Don't, oh don't
make fizzle of this sewer PROPOSE
ton Take it in hand properly; get
estimates of cost and plans of con-
struction. If the citizens will not
subscribe the necessary amount. let
the city borrow the money, and raise
the taxes to take care of the loan:
become familiar with the methods of
sewerage in other cities. and be sure
to make provision for a greater
Brownsville when installing it. Profit
by your electric light plant expert
ence. 1t is simple enough if handled
Systematically. VIII you arouse
yourself, Mr. Oldtimer?
l read the letter published in The
Herald of May IS. signed Zone of
Many Farmers. 1t relates to the
draining of land. He complains that
nothing has been done to relieve the
land of its surplus water. This is
not new topic. 1t is in every ones
mouth. We have dearly learned that
it is just as important to find a meth
cd to drain the land as it is to have
water to put on it. | also ask with
this writer, what has become of this
drainage proposition and when may
we expect relief?
Jumping jimmy, Have We got to
wait for generation to pass before
we can do something worth while?
Why not do 1t Now
The Brownsville saw says do it
ma1ana.' But manana never comes.
Let us discard this word and also
this custom. When we know a thing
must be done, for heavens sake, let
us do it. We know the electric light
plant must be remodeled; then re-
model it. We know a sewerage sys-
tenn must be built; then build it.
There are three companies who have
made application for a street car
franchise. Why not grant one? 1t
will be fine thing to get this enter
prise started.
Honestly, Mr. Oldtimer it gives me
the collie to think how these matters