Spokane Falls Finally Gets Water Works

After many false alarms and abortive efforts to secure water for Spokane Falls it gives us great pleasure to be able to announce that at last the prospect is a fair one of solving this long and bitterly felt want. Mr. [unclear] thinks of a stream with an unlimited quantity of pure, good water. The city has been without an adequate supply of this indispensable fluid. On account of the nature of the under strata, well digging has always been attended with great expense and trouble, and often with disappointment, and the number of supply fissures of this character is very small. In the heart of the city there is but one well, and the business houses and private residences are compelled to rely on a water carrier for the liquid necessity. For fire purposes the town has been completely without water, thus putting it at the mercy of the flames without hope of successfully resisting the encroachments of the fiery element. Now we can look forward for an early release from this undesirable, dangerous and unpleasant predicament. Spokane Falls is to be furnished with an abundant supply of cheap and pure water, and that at no distant date. It will require much time and labor to carry out an enterprise of such magnitude, but it is safe to anticipate that water will be distributed by means of pipes through our principal streets by next fall. It is another long stride toward marking out the future now so rich in promises and which is bound to result in fulfillment. With water works and the twin companion gas works, the city is provided with two great public necessities without which no place can be considered an entity. The question of water and gas has been one that has occupied the attention of our Councilmen for months, and the air has been rife with rumors regarding the construction of the same without any certainty connected with the reports. Numerous offers, from good, reliable parties, have been presented under both heads, but up to the present week no definite action has been taken in the premises. In this article we have to do with the water question alone. In December the first decisive steps were taken as regards water works. Offers were presented to the City Council by several parties, and two hot and exciting sessions were held. On account of the new charter coming in advance, no action was taken, it being announced that at the first regular meeting of the Council in January the propositions for both gas and water would be received and the first one presented would be accepted by the board. In due time this meeting was held. Two or more propositions were submitted, and the discussions awakened thereby were numerous and sometimes slightly tinctured with acrimony. The meeting adjourned to meet again and repeated the adjournment act, in the meantime a committee to which the proposals were submitted held long and careful session, aided and advised by good legal authorities. The proceedings culminated Monday night in the acceptance of the proposal offered by William H. Taylor and Thomas Griffiths, and an Ordinance was adopted giving those gentlemen a franchise for constructing and conducting water works in Spokane Falls. Both the gentlemen above all are comparative strangers to our people, having recently taken up their residence here. They have, however, won the respect of all with whom they have come in contact. Mr. Taylor is an old resident of Salt Lake City, where he was one of the principal owners of the Tribune. He is a gentleman of fine business capacity, of pleasing address and stood high in the confidence and esteem of the people of his former home. He commands considerable capital, and since settling here has paid attention to grain buying. Mr. Griffiths is an attorney by profession, and up to a recent date was also a resident of Salt Lake City. He has given evidence of being a young gentleman of more than ordinary ability, and has that push and snap to him that indicates a man competent and ready to carry out any project he may embrace. We do not believe we err in judgment when we say that Messrs. Taylor and Griffiths mean business, and that they will carry out every detail of their contract fairly, honestly and honorably.