The new North-west. [volume] (Deer Lodge, Mont.) 1869-1897, 1884-03-14
THE COURT HOUSE MATTER.

In case Of fire every record remaining In the
Court House at the time thereof would be
destroyed, there can be no question. The
injury this would be TO every property owner;
to every liligant with just cause, and the
litigation rs TO titles 1t would engender, to
continue for generations, every man may
Judge for himself. On the other hand, the
building has answered Its purpose In its way
for sixteen years and 1t may endure for many
more In security. Between the questions,
whether To let it 60 and take chances,
whether the old building shall be remodeled
with larger and safer vaults, whether an
annex or separate building shall be construct
ed for the Recorder and the valuable records
10 his possession while the rest shall re-
main, or whether q new and adequate build-
ing shall be erected for all Is now to be de-
cided. The Commissioners Ia considering
these things determined TO ascertain what an
adequate new building would cost and had
plans drawn. 1t will cost In the neighbor-
hood of $4,000. They have advertised 10
bond the present debt, and have extended
the time for receiving proposals on the build.
ing. What their further action will be de.
ponds.
There has large opposition to the pro-
Ject developed. 1t developed before those
opposing could possibly have had the inior-
nation on which to intelligently base fair
and decided opposition under any circum-
stances. 1t developed before the Commits
sioners had ascertained the cost Of q build
| Ing or the rates at which securities could be
negotiated. Some of it pronounced emphat.
ically under any circumstances against the
expenditure, which was exaggerated, and
another portion demanded II should be voted
upon. Some of this opposition Is entitled to
consideration; some Of 1t Is not. We are
told of one instance where a person rode
through the whole country side TO obtain
signers to . remonstrance, and then told
Commissioner Helm If he could have the
Court House built In his neighborhood to 90
ahead and build 1t, even If 1t cost $4,000
or $1,000 and 1t would he all right.
Again, 1t has been intimated that the Com
missioners had "job" In 1t. That was, we
believe, the history of the present building,
but the present Commissioners determined
at the outset that If this building should be
erected no Commissioner should directly or
indirectly have part or interest in any con-
tract or work done on the building. Again,
1t has been spread abroad that the building
would cost $4,000 or more," and thai "a
special tax" would be levied TO pay the cost.
The Commissioners state they do not intend,
and never have Intended, TO exceed S75, 900;
that they expect to build for less amount,
and that instead of levying special tax they
can see their way to provide the gradual pay.
ment without any increased levy Of tax.
There is always In new country more or
less opposition TO expenditures for public
buildings, arising from local jealousies or as
pirations, the apprehension of heavy taxes
and other causes. Yet public buildings are
a necessity aud In we'll established, perma-
nent communities they should be adequate
In size and Of durable material. 1t is the
height of folly to invest the public money In
q frsil, insecure, little building where all the
public business IL transacted and all Its
archives are stored, while individuals and
associations build around, Of brick and gram
tie, commodious houses, churches and school
houses. Ii we are not able 20 build we'll, let
us not build at all.
This brings US to consider the financial
phase OF the matter. The revenues of the
general fund of the county this year were
s33,l55. Nine months expenditure appears
In the Report. 1t shows that extraordinary
and unusual expenditures were made for the
boundary survey, repairing Court House,
erecting jail at Anaconda, the special
election, and safe, which amounted to $500.
1t also shows that $4oSl we're applied on the
county debt. The expenditures for the
three months not included In the Report are
estimated at 81, 900; so the county with an
assessment on about $2,600,000 just about
kept even, aside from the extra expenses.
The general levy last year was 10 mills, and
Is the same this. The best Informed citizens
Of the county estimate that with thorough |
assessment and the increase of property the |
rolls will foot up this year 100000. This,
with mills to the general fund and only
the same licenses as the present year will |
yield Sal 600 to the general fund, or, with |
one mill additional, proposed to be taken |
from the school fund, S45, 900. This revenue |
the Commissioners estimate will pay carrent |
building the Court House, and leave sur.
plus.
The amount Of public debt proposed 10 not
an unusual percentage of the tax valu atoms.
1t Is very doubtful II the staten ent showing
S40,54l of warrants outstanding conveys q
correct idea Of the amount that will ever be
presented for payment. That Is the record
of warrants issued In all the years and car.
ried on the books because unpaid tits IN.
questionable that quite large percentage Of
them Is destroyed. Estimating, however,
that the present net debt Is $4,000 and add.
Ing $40, 900 for the Court House, the debt of
sl07, 900, with almost the entire amount
represented In public buildings, 10 not alarm
ing. IL is less than 4 per cent. on s., 800, 900,
and less than "a per cent. on $1,000 900. II
II were paid outright the man owning 81 900
worth Of property would pay s26.75; and the
man owning $4,000 worth would pay s2e7..
80. In taxes to pay interest on 1t at per
cent. per annum the annual amount from
each taxi payer listing II 900 would DO sl.s7..
IL Is said by some that they may live In
portion Of the county that will be detached
and erected into new, or be attached 70
some other, county. In this event the value
Of the public buildings 10 deducted from any
debt that may exist, and the amount 10 as
sumed BY the portion retaining the build
ings. IL 10 suggested again that the times
are bad, and therefore the present Is an In
opportune time to build. In this We beg
leave to differ. Flush times are the most
dangerous In which to build, unless the cash
Is paid down. In extending payments over
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