THE WATER WORKS QUESTION. The most interesting local question now pending is that of the water works. An elaborate ordinance has been prepared and submitted to the people through the public press. This ordinance is being discussed pro and con, and it is difficult to tell what general conclusion will be arrived at. The proposition is of great importance, both to the city and the National Water Works company. The company now has decidedly the advantage, in that it has carefully matured its plans in advance and calculated its chances, whereas the city is a novice and is ignorant of even the general principles of the system. Several years ago Mr. Pillsberry, an engineer for this same, water works company, carefully inspected the city with a view to estimating the cost of applying the Holly system thereto, and his estimate was, if we mistake not, that the entire cost would not exceed $165,000. To-day Mr. Mahan estimates the cost at $800,000. Mr. Mahan estimates upon the basis of a city with 240,000 inhabitants, which, of course, increases his figures; but may it not be asked if we are prepared to do so much for posterity, or for so much posterity just now. We need water works, and judicious, action will secure them at little cost to the city. We suggest that the City Council, or the citizens at large, appoint a committee of three or five disinterested and competent citizens; whose duty it shall be to thoroughly investigate the whole matter and report, and that until such report is handed in all action in the matter be stayed. The National water works company certainly cannot object to this, and the City Council owe it to themselves and their constituents not to act blindly in the prem- ises. an
