The Water Works

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THE WATER WORKS.

That the Water Works of the city, if they operate at all, as there is no doubt they will, will confer a benefit on the city far exceeding their pecuniary cost, both by raising the value of property and improving our sanitary condition, is undeniable. But it does not follow, because we are to receive ten or twelve millions of dollars worth of benefit from them, that we are to pay more for them than they were to cost, or that we are to receive an article inferior to what was stipulated in the original contract. Nor does it follow, as some of the aldermen seem to think, because a man insists on pointing out the errors he finds in the construction of the works, that he is an opponent of the introduction of water per se. Nor is it either honest or even politic, to bolster up the value of real estate by representing the works as a paragon of excellence, if they are really defective. Let us inquire and see what they really are; if defective let us remedy them; but neither morality nor permanent prosperity will be promoted by glossing over their defects and representing them as being better than they are.

It is in this spirit that we have read the long promised expose of Alderman Backhouse,¹ and invite the Commissioners to meet the grave charges which he prefers against them. Being non elected, and virtually irresponsible, they should be the more prompt to explain and justify their acts. Nay, more: the public have a right to expect from them a better, purer, more efficient and economical performance of their duties, than if they were elected officers. For they and their friends caused the control of this work to be taken from the local authorities and vested in themselves on the express ground that they were the wealthy, the wise, the good, of the city par excellence. The city has therefore a right to expect from such men, so appointed, an administration of pre-eminent merit, fidelity, and honesty. If Alderman Backhouse's statements (and we are informed that he has the authority of an engineer of repute for them) are true, this Commission has executed a work which is neither the same, nor as good a work, as that which they undertook to carry out; and if so, they are the more culpable and reprehensible, because of the pretensions which have been advanced on their behalf of superior intelligence and honesty, and which alone could have excused the withdrawing so important a branch of local government from the regular authorities. When our public Boards are outwitted by shrewd contractors, or bribed into allowing the treasury to be defrauded, we have at least the consolation that we elected these venal or erring officials, and that we can soon elect others in their places. But if one of these irresponsible Commissioners errs, either by lack of honesty or lack of intelligence, the people have no remedy, for they cannot dispossess these favorites of Mammon and of the Legislature; but most uncomplainingly submit to all the blunders which the continuance of such men in their influential positions can entail on the department over which they preside.

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