The silver state. [volume] (Winnemucca, Nev.) 1909-1925, 1911-09-07
WATER BOND QUFS-
ton LAID OYER

ndHes oI LOU VOterS OF the town or
Winnemucca, was presented to the
board of county commissioners, pray
ing that special election be called to
vote bonds for a new water system to
be built by the town. Yesterday the
toard checked up the names with the
poll list and found that it contained
sufficient signatures to comply with a
law passed by the last legislature,
which stipulates that whenever 90 per
cent of the qualified voters of any
town petition the board for the pur-
pose, it shall be its duty to call a
special election to determine the ques-
tion Of bonding town for the pur-
chase or construction of certain public
utilities.
The board held a session last even
ing for the purpose Of discussing the
question with the gentlemen who in
augurated the movement. Possibly a
dozen taxpayers were present when
Chairman Haviland called the meeting
to order and stated it's object. He
said that the petition was evidently in
legal form and that under the law it
was compulsory for the board to order
a special election. He thought that it
would be a good idea for the citizens
and taxpayers to act in conjuetion
with the board in the matter, as they
did on the sewer proposition, and gave
it as his opinion that an engineer
should at once be employed to make
an estimate of the cost of the system,
in order that the voters might take
intelligent action on the subject.
G. B. Brown opened the case for the
petitioners, assuring his hearers that
while he had no animosity against the
Water & Light company, he wanted
more water; that the town was grow
ing rapidly and would yearly require
a greater volume of water, which must
be furnished by some one. He agreed
petent engineer should be employed
to make an estimate of the cost.
Commissioner Bradshaw, at this
juncture, quietly inquired where the
money was coming from to pay the en-
gineer.
This question precipitated a general
discussion, and it was finally referred
to District Attorney Callahan who
stated that, while the law did not auth
orize the expenditure of town funds
for the purpose, it was his opinion that
it could be legally done as matter of
public policy.
Senator Bell suggested that the
board fix the issue at a maximum
amount and in case the election car
ried, issue the bonds as fast as re-
quired. In this manner the preliminary
expense could be provided for.
Commissioner Bradshaw then asked
where the water was to come from af
ter the plant had been constructed.
ID. Pascal, C. b. Brown and w. s.
Bonnifeld assured the board that there
would be no trouble on that score,
stating that an abundance of water
could be easily secured by sinking
wells along the banks of the Humboldt
river. Mr.. Pascal gave his experience
in this class of work, and offered to
donate to the town a small tract of
land on the river bank for the pur
pose.
Chris Diehl, Sr., entered general
objected to the whole proceeding,
stating that so far as he was concern
ed there was now plenty of water and
he saw no logical reason for bonding
the town for large amount to con-
struet a new system.
r. W. Lewis then took the floor
and said that he hoped the movement
would not be actuated by personal
prejudice; that it was a serious matter
10 the taxpayers and should be well
considered before action was taken;
that the expense would be great, es
pecially If the water was to be raised
from wells and forced to reservoirs at
an altitude sufficient to supply the
town by gravity.
The question then reverted to the
expense of employing an engineer to
furnish an estimate of the cost, and
Commissioner Bradshaw stated that he
would not vote I'M favor of the propo-
sition until he knew where the money
was coming from to meet the expense.
C. B. Brown then offered motion
to the effect that the commissioners
employ competent engineer to make
the estimate, and that he would be-
come responsible for the expense up
to the sum of $500 Judge Bonnifield
seconded the motion, but it was never
nut. for the probable reasons that
there was question as to who should
be allowed to vote and whether or not
the board could entertain motion
made by a non-member.
Other gentlemen present being call
ed upon to express an opinion, n. n.
l.. Windle addressed the meeting
briefly, giving it as his opinion that
the work should be prosecuted and
that he believed the proposed bond
issue would carry by large majority.
Attorney II. Warren, who had been
giving close attention to the argu-
ments advanced pro and con, at late
hour took the floor and emphaticaiiy
stated that the whole movement was
based on false principle; that it had
been inaugurated not for the purpose
of securing more water for the town,
as there was now enough for all pur-
poses, but with the express intention
of destroying property.
The discussion was kept up in des-
ultory manner until midnight, by
which time most Of the citizens had re-
D.. Hpollxy Z