The Lancaster news. [volume] (Lancaster, S.C.) 1905-current, 1913-05-27
MASS MEETING
FOR SEWERAGE

erage, Street improvements and
Extension of Waterworks Sys-
tenn.
One Of the largest and most en-
thusiastic mass-meetings of the tax
payers of the town of Lancaster,
was held in the court house, i'm
mediately after the school meet
ing yesterday for the purpose
of considering the matter of a
bond issue for sewerage. Mayor
Ernest Moore acted as chairman and
]. T. Thomasson as secretary. Mr.
Charles D. Jones stated the object
Of the meeting in clear-cut and
business-like way, showing by facts
and figures that bond issue of
$4,000 would give a fine sewerage
system for the town, as we'll as
provide sufficient sums for extend
ing the waterworks system in the
town and doing some permanent
street work in addition. Mr.
Jones spoke in substance as fol-
lows:
Il am glad to see such large and
representative melting Of the tax
payers of Lancaster assembled here
this afternoon, and it is my desire
to bring to your attention a matter
OF great Importance TO our people,
and that is the question of consider
Ing the advisability of issuing bonds
sufficient to install a complete sys-
tenn of sewerage, for extension of
our water mains, and for perma-
nent street improvements. i be-
lleVe that every natri0fic citi1ap
within the sound of my voice will
agree to the proposition that Ian
caster ought to, and very soon must
have sewerage and street improve
mentS, not only for the sake of the
public health but for the convenience
and pleasure of our citizens, as well
as for the future progress of our
town so as to put her abreast of
other towns of equal size in this and
adjoining states.
Believing as j do that we are
all agreed on the proposition that
these proposed improvements are
greatly needed, then the only Qustion
left for consideration is whether or
not we can financially afford the
necessary bond issue to accomplish
our needs and wishes. To that
question ! answer, Yes" and would
therefore suggest for your consid-
GRAFTON an issue Of $4,000, twenty
forty year optional bonds. Forty
FIVE thousand ($45, 1000 dollars for
complete system of sewerage (that
sum being estimated as ample),
twelve thousand ($12,00O) dollars
for the tension of water mains;
and thirtea' thousand ($13,0OO)
dollars 70. permanent street i'm
provements.
from the town records / hope to
convince you that we are able to
stand this proposed issue which
with the $4,000 waterworks bonds
now outstanding would give us a
total OF 100000.
II prepared a few DAYS ago a
statement which was published in
The Lancaster News, showing that
by an amendment TO the constitu-
ton, ratified in 1911, that there is
now no limit TO the amount OF bonds
that may be issued for sewerage,
water and lights, provided the pro-
ceeds are used exclusively for such
purposes. We already have
splendid system Of water works, and
lights unsurpassed by any town or
city in the state.
Il have also shown by actual fig
tutional limitations, issue an addi-
tional $13,179 of bonds for general
purposes. Now let's see if we can
stand under a 100000 bonded debt.
'The gross. income of the town
Tor 1912, as shown by the treasur-
er's books, was $14,365.3S, derived
as follows: Ten mill tax levy,
$5,721.43; licenses, $3,947.5O;
fines, $4,696.45. The estimated ac-
tual running expense based on last
year and literally estimated for the
present should not exceed $228533
for police; s1,976 for lights; $500
for salary OF mayor and clerk
S2162O for up-keep of cemetery:
81 200 for expense and maintenance
of fire department, and $50 for
interest on floating debt; making
total expense of $6,727.53, which
would leave surplus of $7,63785.
From May 1st, 1912, to May
1st, 1913, the gross water income
was s4,1OS.1S, with an actual op-
Grating expense OF $2,337.5O, leav-
ing a net income of $1,770.63, but
for the lack of sufficient water
mains this surplus is being absorbed
In running small pipe lines for
great distance in order to serve
tax payer who resides on or near
the edge of the town limits Exten.
sion of the water mains would elm
mate this great expense and at the
same time give those people fire
protection. With proper extension
of water mains this money can be
saved and added 10 the surplus.
bringing ii to S9,4O8.4S.
"At present there are two hun
dred and forty-six water taps, one
hundred and ninety-eight OF which
hiring I'm only the minimum charnn