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

Editor Ne,o North West:

| The substance of the communication which
| you allowed to be published in the last issue
| Of your paper, signed Taxpayers" had
been reiterated on the streets, and in the sa-
| looms of this town, by the author of that ar
ticle, for several days previous to its publica.
ton.
We felt that the talk, though severe, un-
just, and malicious, was yet unworthy of our
notice, but fearing the publishing of it in a
reputable journal, might misleld some VIII o
were probably ignorant Of its source, and
our silence be construed by them into admis-
sion Of its truth, have concluded that justice
| to ourselves demands some reply.
The first paragraph of that article contains
three truths, one falsehood and one conjec
ture. 1t is false that the district was assured
p'etc the building. 1t Is conjecture that it
would not have been voted unless the district
was so assured.
The second, third Shd fourth paragraphs
are made up Of facts. neat calculations and
logical deductions, based on false premises
The Board hesitates not to say that it had
not single home bid ready to be backed by
bonds. AS to the guessing ability of the
Board, we think 1T will compare favorably
with the Taxpayer" who starts to build, on
An estimate from a responsible home me-
chauic" for thirteen hundred, and pulls
through on thirty five hundred.
As to tho three lots for which we have no
title: One Of them Is in the name Of q party
who long since left the town. For the other
two we have assurances from one OF the most
responsible men in the community that there
will be no trouble; besides, we can get along
without the lots.
The fifth paragraph is remarkable in that
1t contains one truth, provided Taxpayers"
mean by Mormon outfit" gentlemen resid-
ing in Utah. A part of the contract was let
to them as the lowest bidders, and the Board
takes pleasure in endorsing both them, and
their employees here, as gentlemen and first
class workmen.
The sixth paragraph contains a fact, sever
al conjectures and some very foolish advice.
1t may have been contrary to the letter of the
law to discount the bonds that are sold, rs it
is contrary to the letter Of the law to exceed
in bonds the two per cent. of taxable proper
ty in the District; but it is certainly not con-
trary to custom to make bonds available, else
there would be no use in voting and issuing
them.
But the last paragraph appeals to the voter
through his pocket, and would poison his
mind with prejudice in announcing the fact
that the levy has been increased to meet the
bonds. In all candor we would ask, is there
a voter in the district such fool that he did
not know that the levy would have to be in
creased? Or did the Trustees or any one else
ever intimate that 1t would be less than three
mills :? And again we would ask, is there a
voter in the District fool enough to believe
that IL will take an additional three mills on
q million Of property to meet the bonds ?
With the Trustees 1t Is question of compile
ton, or non-completion, Of the house. With
all due respect we submit the proposition.
While as citizens of the little town of Deer
Lodge we feel deeply interested in her well
fare, and especially her educational interest,
We would urge no arguments other than are
found in the facts as they exist.
e.. Il. s. STAcKPoLE,
Il. Fl. IRVINE,
TRUSTEES,
ORD. L. School Dist. No. 1.