Yorkville enquirer. [volume] (Yorkville, S.C.) 1855-2006, 1921-10-14
MENACE OF THE STANDPIPE.

Sure that old standpipe in the rear
of the courthouse is an eyesore to the
community and people generally will be
glad to see its removal. But it is not
going to be moved soon is the proba-
bilty. 1t would not be wise or polite
to state rs a fact what is known to be
in mems minds, because until it can be
proved that they actually said it, they
IRE still in a position to claim that they
never even thought it. But the main
obstacle in the way of removal of the
standpipe is the expense, or rather up
on whom the expense is to fall.
The real reason for desiring the re-
moval of the standpipc and the old law
range building is their unsightly ap-
Dearance in such close proximity to the
courthouse and the Presbyterian
church. As matter of fact the stand
pipe should never have been put there.
The only reason that was ever given
for it's original location was, Lets put
il where it can be seen for tho ben
eft of the advertising of the town, =
quite n silly proposition; but it is there,
and now it is n subject of discomfort.
The county owns the law range lot and
also the building, The building was
bought by other parties, with the un-
derstanding that it be moved within a
limited time. The time limit has long
since expired, and if the building is re-
moved at all. it will have to be done by
the county.
The standpipe was condemned by the
grand jury on the ground that II had
outivcd its safety and is now men
ace 10 the lives of the people attend
ing court. The grand jury went on 10
instruct the supervisor TO take the
steps necessary TO compel the town or
Yorkville to compel the removal of THIS
menace To the lives of the people. .
Following the usual procedure, the
clerk of the court served upon the
mayor and city cOupcir Of Gorkville
and the supervisor of York county, so
much OF the report Iof the grand jury
IS referred to this matter. The super
Visor accepted service, of course, ana
let Il 20 at that, because he WAS unable
to see what further he was able to do.
The city council, however, took little
more cogniZanCC Of the matter and in
stead of reporting back TO the grand
iulv through the clerk of the court, by
its attorney. John Il. Hart, wrote the
county supervisor as follows:
"n reference to IT," grand jury's re-
port of York county at July and Sep
tcmbcr terms, calling attention TO the
standpipc belonging to the town, IN
which the grand jury states that ON
account of its age, it is a menace to the
hundreds Of persons who are compell-
ed to attend court etc, and recon-
mending that proceedings be Instituted
to have the Standpipe removed.
II am instructed by the commission
crs of public works to ask that the
grand Jury place the town in posses
sion Of, the facts upon which it bases
its report that the Standpipc is unsafe,
and to ask if the standpiDc has been
examined by any person competent to
saw whether ii is safe or unsafe, that
the town he given copy OF such re-
ports.
81 am further rcquc ted to say that
the town of York does not cOnced" that
IN" StandpipC is unsafe, and of course
does not COrCCdc that the same may be
ordered To he removed unless 1t be- cS-
tablshcd by examination 10y compc-
tent persons that the standpi2c is un-
safe.
Il would thank you to lot me have a
reply at your earliest convenience Civ
.ng me the information asked for. if
YOU are in possession oil such reports
md examination
40. have not taken any steps in
his matter at all" said Supervisor
Brown. when asked about it. | have
.ivcn the report of the grand jury con-
siderable consideration, of course, but
have made no demand on the town
.Ouucil. Just now il seems tn m" that
rhuul all can do with this letter is To
,cfcr il To the grand jury. However. |
viii not decide definitely until | have .
considered the matter further
while some people smile and Wink
he other eye that the Standpipe is any /.
more of a menace to public safety than /
[ has been for 10. these many years, /
is agreed that ii ought to be /
moved from where il now il. Natural /
!, the. town does not want To move 1t /
f the county can be induced to foot the .
ill. /; is quite plain that If the cOun- .
vs. objection shall be based on the .
public DANCER. without being dS!c 10
stnhiish the existence of such danger, (
I will b" up to the county to either .
withdraw it's objection or d"fraY the |
y prIse ui removal !