The new North-west. [volume] (Deer Lodge, Mont.) 1869-1897, 1884-08-29
THE BOND QUESTION.

We publish In this issue . communication
from two School Trustees In relation TO one
appearing last week over the signature "Tax-
payers" and also publish q protest against
the proposition 10 vote $4,000 more bonds
to-day. This latter is signed by . large num-
Der of substantial citizens, interested as vi
tally ss the Trustees In the material and ed
ucational welfare of this community, and
they, with knowledge of the expenditures Of
the Board and the disposition made Of the
District bonds, as reported by Clerk Of the
District Cockrell, knowing the history Of The
school house project and method Of construc-
ton; believing the limit Of bonds allowed by
law for this purpose has been reached II not
passed., considering the management OF the
finances and the manner Of letting work in
the past, and taking that as criterion for
the future, protest against voting this issue.
With the admission by the Trustees that the
issue OF bonds In excess Of two per cent. Of
the taxable property In the District is icon
trary to the letter of the law" and the fact
that bonds have now been issued fully up to
that limit, we do not see how they can con
sistently ask for approval OF All additional
$4,000 issue without an act Of the Legisla-
ture authorizing the same. They further
say "it may have been contrary to The letter
Of the law TO discount the bonds that are
sold" There Is no "may have been" about
IL. The law is distinct, explicit aud mauda
tory, and IL the later issue of So 900 could not
be marketed at exceeding s. cents OH the
quent issue would bring more. At that rate
the $4,000 would net but $500; (less than
the estimated cost yet 10 be incurIed).
and thes, bonds would have TO be paid
100 cents on the dollar after all they now
bring has been paid 10 interest. We believe
tbs issue IN excess Of two per cent, and the
sale of bonds, at less than par, unqrsstioni,
bly, illegal. Ifthose clauses were not intend
cd TO be effective why were they put iu thu
law? IL will not do TO evsde law merely
because Its observance is inconvenient. Let
us stop now, aud take new start after the
legal distractions have been removed, and
IL Is ascertained what 1t will cost TO complete
the building and clear up titles. The mis-
contract for completed building. Let us
not continue the mistake. The District has
not been illiberal; in fact 1t has now voted
more money than Il should have done for
public school buildings money than
was asked at irst-inore, We believe, than
the Trustees contemplated expanding. They
say there was no assurance" given that the
last $4,000 voted would complete the build
ing. Then there Is no assurance now that
$4,000 more will complete It, and 1t Is a
very proper time to stop until we do know
how much IL will cost.
The Trustees will recognize among the
signers to this protest the names Of their
personal and business friends, who differ, as
they have the right to do, with them in rela
ton TO the management of this school house
matter, and who propose to exercise the
right of expressing and voting their views.
Two of the Trustees do not appear to take
opposition kindly, as evidenced in their reply
to "Tsx payers" communication, which we
take the liberty to say was not contributed
by one man, but came to us over the sigma
lures of Addison Smith, Robert S. Kelley
aud John o'Neill, was endorsed by several
others, and is substantially duplicated in the
protest signed by many citizens and pub.
lished to-day. These gentlemen and tie
Trustees are at all times welcome to proper
use Of these columns on ma tiers of public
concern, and the school house matter is emf
nently one of that character.
In conclusion, we have only to say that
as a friend Of the public schools and the
to build a good school house, aud
in view of all the facts that have come to our
knowledge, we believe the best interests Of
the district will be subserved by disspprov-
ing the present proposed issue of bonds.
The election will be held at the school house
from to 6p. m. to-day.