Alpena weekly argus. [volume] (Alpena, Mich.) 1871-1893, 1882-12-27
Dividing the Townships.


springing up against the formation of
the two new townships. The princi-
pal objection, as near as we are able
to ascertain, seems to be the extra ex-
pense, and consequently the increased
taxation that will follow. The ques-
ton is one that interests every tax
payer in the county, and especially in
the townships of Alpena and Long
Rapids, and every taxpayer should
give the subject due consideration and
study. If it is best to divide the
townships mentioned, it is their duty
to help the measure and if it is not
beneficial, it is their duty to oppose it.
The matter comes before the Board of
Supervisors on the 4th of January,
1888. Last week we published the
reasons which the parties interested
claim for the formation of the new
townships. The objection is the in.
creased taxation; that taxes are high
enough now in the townships. In
another column will be found COM
munication from resident of Long
Rapids, who protests against the divi-
sion. On one point he is mistaken:
The ARGUS is not taking an interest
ed part in the matter. We knew
that this business was important, and
drew attention to the fact, so that our
readers could learn what was going
on, and gave the reasons that were
advocated for the change. The re-
suit, as settled by the people, whether
for or against the measure, will salts
fly us. If we have been the means Of
drawing their attention to subject
that effects the public, we have but
done our duty, and we propose to do
the same thing in the future, when
questions arise that effect the welfare
of the people. The ARGUS will OPP
pose any increase to the burdens of
taxation, unless the advantages to fol-
low from increase, will prove of more
benefit than the extra taxes are a
burden. Our correspondent asks us,
"if the settlers are getting too numer-
Gus q We answer no, and we have
never limited that they were. What
we stated was that there has been n
large increase in population in the
townships since they were first organ
lied, and the statistics will prove us
right. We also said that complaint
has frequently been made that the SUI
pervisor and highway commissioner
had too large territory to look after,
in order to do effective work. The
map shows that Long Rapids is IS
miles long and nine miles wide; is
that large territory for township?
Alpena township is Is miles long on
the west side, little over six miles on
the north side, about ten miles in the
center, and the south side extends
along the greater part of Thunder
Bay.
Our correspondent does not appear
to be against dividing Long Rapids
township, if it is only divided in the
center.
How much more expensive will it
prove to the taxpayers Some say it
will double the contingent expenses.
We say it will not, or ought not, for the
supervisor and commissioner, having
less territory to travel over, will not
be so long doing their work, and con-
sequently will not have so many days
to be paid for. Let us take the town.
ship of Green as an example. The
contingent expenses of the township
of Wilson, for the year ending 1880,
was 81 200. In 1881 that township
was divided into the townships of
Green and Wilson, and the contingent
expenses of those two townships, ac-
cording to the proceedings of the
Board of Supervisors, for the year
1881, was: Wilson, $3.50; Green, g.
600; total S1,75O, or $3.50 more for
the two townships than it was for one
township, or, if equally divided, 1915
for each. A newly organized township
will also have some extra expenses
the first year, such as ballot boxes
and books for the officials. This is
one Of the reasons that inclines us to
the belief that the formation of new
townships of reasonable size and rea-
hsonable valuation does not create
very heavy burden, and it has many
advantages. The officials can attend
better to business, and the people can
more readily attend public township
meetings, elections, etc.
The amount Of the highway and
school tax depends on the voters
they can make them high or light, as
they choose. The salaries of officers,
election expenses, and such matters
are paid out of the contingent fund,
and do not depend on the vote of the
people, and that is the reason we have