Rensselaer Republican, Volume 27, Number 52, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 29 August 1895 — Rochester Water Works. [ARTICLE]

Rochester Water Works.

George William Curtis, foimerly editor of Harper’s Weekly, once said. “I shall not repeat to you the splendid story of the Republican party—a story that we never tired of telling, that our children will never tire of hearing; a story which is written upon the hearts of all American citizens because it recounts greater service for liberty, for the country, for mankind, than any other party in any other nation and at any other period of time. What is the secret of this unparalleled history? It is simply that the Republican party has been always the party of the best instincts, of the highest desire of the American people. This is its special glory. It has represented the American instinct of nationality, American patriotism and Christian devotion to liberty.”

Next Monday the township trustees will elect a County Superintendent, to succeed J. F. Warren. The election of a County Superintendent is a great and heavy responsibility laid upon the trustees. This office is peculiar and distinct from all other county offices in the fact that its value to the people depends entirely upon the personal attributes and qualifications of the man who fills it. The good a good superintendent can do can hardly be overestimated. The' damage a poor one can do, is equally as hard to calculate. It is an office in the filling of which personal preferences and prejudices should be forgotten, and in which the desire to oblige a friend or acquaintance cut no flgure.

Mr. E. L. Clark spest a few days is Rochester last week, and has prepared the following brief description of the water works system in operation there. In the Spring cf 1894 the town of %>chesttr contacted for Water Works which have been in operation now about one year. The town requires probably about Vie same as would Rensselaer, being Acre populua but less in extent of territory. A general description of the Rochester plant is as follows: Two engines which can be operated Singly or together, as required, with •K* c, -7 for pumping million Jtllons evejy 24 hours.

A ?>ipt 125 feot high, 19 feel Eicter; 1050 feet 12 mch mains, feet 10 inch uuins, 3275 teet 8 mains, 27,300 feet 6 inch mains 4850 feet 4 inch mains, the last firing used only to make a circuit for M® circulation of the water. 80 —4 street hydrants on 6 inch mains. The entire cost was $32,731.35. As there has been an advance in price of all iron it estimated by competent parties there that 20 per cent should ■* added to the then cost for such a jßknt now erected, which would Make the cost now $39,277.62The charges tb private parties are MRp cost of taps and other expenses placing where wanted amounting te an average of about sls each, inolnding necessary hose, and a rental of from $4 to $5 for the season for lawns, and $2 per year for bath room. Parties renting are entitled to use the Mftter six hours out of every twentyfour. These rentals amount now to about SBOO per year, which covers all mianihg vxp^uscs. In case of fire the plant is so arnttged that, direct pressure from the tefcine is turned od thus giving •Aster pressure.