White Pine news weekly mining review. [volume] (East Ely, Nev.) 1910-1920, 1914-07-26
Vote in Favor
of Bond Issue
OWNERS IN ELY EN-
PRESS WILLINGNESS TO EN-
PEND $4,000 FOR CONSTRUC-
TION OF STORM SEWER.

SYSTEM Oh pFOlHeIlOH lTOHl MufTS cdn-
yon flood waters appears to have
been settled. That is. by a referendum
vote in the city of Ely, Tuesday.
1S1 tax payers voted in favor of the
bond issue while only so showed OPP
position by voting against it. OF the
number voting, "a were women. who
for the first time in the history OF
Ely exercised the right of suffrage
on matter concerning their prop
erty and taxes.
The Mnrry canyon storm sewer
discussion has been before the citizens
of Ely IN one way or another most
of the time for the past year. It
began with the disastrous and tragic
flood of last August that crystalized
sentiment in the minds of many of
some sure means should be provided
for protecting the city from damage
by water The past year has been
unusual because of an exceptional
amount OF rain and several times
flood waters that have come down
from Murry canyon have resulted in
more or less damage, trouble and
work. 10 say nothing OF the scare
thrown into the populace.
The city council was early con-
fronted with the problem of doing
something in the way of protection.
and eventually a bond issue for s16.-
600 was voted for the purpose. OPP
position developed, and while the
council was unanimous the mayor
was of another opinion. and vetoed
the bond ordinance passed by the
council The ordinance was next
passed over the mayors veto. but
in view of the differences of opin-
ion nothing more was> done in the
matter. the ordinance and all per-
tanning thereto having been indefi-
nitely laid on the table. The position
of the mayor throughout the 'contro-
versy has been that in a city matter
calling for so large an expenditure
of money. the tax payers should de-
eide the issues by a referendum vote.
yes or no. as to whether the bond
issue should go ahead and a storm
sewer built.
Meantime. with every recurring
rain of any unusual proportions. tie
Murry CANYON watershed has sent its
overflow into Ely. inundating the
streets-oyerflowi lawns. seeping
into Easements and rooms of low
level and cutting up capers gener-
ally tending to make Murry canyon
floods unpopular. At about every
meeting of the city council there have
been complaints from property own
ers, with appeals for financial resti-
tuition. and the council confronted
with the question. what are you GO
ing to do about it,"
Hence the referendum vote. aud
judging from the size of the major
ity in favor of the bond issue, the
question of the debt involved and
whatever il may mean in taxes, sinks
into significance when compared with
what is considered by many the con-
stant menace of flood waters.
There has been doubt expressed
that it would be impossible 20 cor
struct a sewer of proportions large
enough TO take care of downpour
such rs caused last summers trage-
dy and damage. Champions of the
sewer claim that is not the question.
Last summers incident was in every
way unusual and not one of common
occurrence. The proposed sewer Is
designed to take care of the normal
overflow from rains and melting
SHOWS and remedy a situation that is
claimed should not be allowed to ex-
| list. II seems probable that with the
bond issue once launched. and the
work backed by favorable public SEN
timent. the plans as worked out by
tical and permanent public improve
ment that will in one way or another
be of benefitto the entire city and
the community adjoining. Any serr-
Gus calamity from flood or fire TO
Ely. indirectly effects the welfare of
outlying districts. and by the same
token a public improvement to pre-
vent or lessen such damage becomes
OF general benefit.
In any public outlay. there is al
ways opposition as a matter Of course
and such opposition whether well in
tended or mercenery Is essential as
tempering expenditure with honesty