Reporter and farmer. [volume] (Webster, Day County, Dakota [S.D.]) 188?-1946, 1884-03-13
SHALL WE INCORPORATES

VIII be called upon to vote upon the pro-
posltion.te incorporate the town OF Web
ster. Tholnovement is an important one
and many grave considerations are in
yolyed. Several of our citizens are OBJ
posed to the move at present, simply
because they are afraid that prudent man
agement may not follow, and the new
town be saddled with a debt that it Will
take years TO pay and make an onorous
burden upon the tax-payers-they would
prefer to wait awhile, until we are larger
II better able to afford what they con-
celve, because of some unfortunate exper-
hence In the past, to be an expensive. lux
ury. These gentlemen are anxious for
the success and future well being Of the.
town, and their objections are entitled to
candid consideration.
First, then, nov is the time, rather.
than a year or two years hence, to incor-
porate, to avoid the shoal Of debt which
these gentlemen fear; because now, while
we are small, the necessity for economy
IL perfectly. appearant to every citizen,
while If We wait until we have a larger
fund5from which to draw, we may not be
so particular. Now, economy is absolute
ly necessary, and is so plainly evident
that in the management of our financial
concerns, it would follow naturally.
There need be no additional burden
70 the taxpayers in this step. In the
first place, to insure this, let men be placed
in charge of the young city who are d.
reetly interested who are large property
owners-in seeing that no debts are con-
tracted. Let them make it a rule not to
spend money OF Improvements until they
have it in hand or know exactly where it
is to come from; and above all, let them
make no debts, except such as are neces-
sary for organizing, for their successors in
office to pay. This is the kind Of iinan-
cial management that will ruin q town or
an individual-the town that predicates
credit Oh what it expects to have a year
hence, will always be &c year behind, new
er able to pay claims against it whendue,
and always paying the heavy per cent.
that adepreciated paper invariably brings
During the first year We will have two
mill in casa. besides the poll, which can
be paid in cash or work. Let it be dis
tinctly understood that only such inn
pgovements be made as are absolutely
necessary. and when the road fund is ex-
hausted let these stop at once TIL
money, can be had to pay for them. Or
course it will be slow going at first, but a
year or two of such management will
recommend it to the good sense of every
citizen, stop oil cayil, and place US on An
Independents footing as a city. Talk the
matter over and settle upon the right
kind. of men to discharge this important
trust.
The whole question of its success or
failure, whether it will be a burden rath-
er than an advantage TO the tax payer is
simply one of management. Even the
gentlemen opposing the incorporation
concede this. VIII this objection be any
less n or two years hence viii it not
he harder to get the right men for the
members Of the city council, when the
town is larger and when new men come
in. than it ;snowawhen we are a%cquaintea
with aud know just what and who our
best citizens.are. and their qualifications?
Certainly, you unhesitatingly answer.
Their il you run q greater risk in this re-
spect by waiting longer, is it not obvious
W. the part of wisdom 10 organize now
,yhen the bona-tde taxpayers can con-
troll and givo direction to the move? The
question 10 be decided, therefore Is,
whether il is better to let the matter rest
till the town is large enough to be con
trolled by the boating voter, or do it now
when the large majority of our citizens
are directly interested as taxpayers In
seeing that economical management is the
order Of the day.
1t strikes US there can be but osie an
swer to the question.
Now, genusmensl let us act senslbly IN
this move. Let a meeting be held before
election day and the proper men agreed
upon. Talk the matter over IN q CAIN,
sensible way and come to g clear under
standing as to the best measures to be
adoutea and the best 3nen to select. By
doing this. we can conserve the best M
forests az the entire community, and what
is better still, eliminate all lll-foeling and
bud blood from the %contest.
Let horse sense and not passion prevail
Now that We have thought the mas
.L,nt know that Ered Doug