Hand County press. (Miller, Dakota [S.D.]) 1882-1893, 1885-01-15
TO BOND OR NOT TO BOND.

In the proceedings of the Board of
Commissioners is resolution adopted
calling convention of the people of the co.
for Jan. 81. each township to be represent
ed by ono delegate. The object OF this
convention is to consider the advisability
Of bonding the county for probably S1o,-
900. The commissioners have been COM
PEELED to deal with some stubborn facts
lately that seem to justify them in adopt
ing the foregoing scheme. The prevailing
hard times strike none SO disastrously as
new community, COMPOSED largely of poor
people. As yet there have been no public
provisions made to care for the unfortun
ate and needy in Dakota as in the states.
In fact there has been no occasion for any
and would be none now were it not for the
low price of our chief product, and almost
total destruction of crops last year in some
localities. The general condition of our
people is very good, considering every
thing, and compares favorably with other
localities, yet there are some who are
needy and require little assistance for
time. as everything they have is in their
land and improvements, and upon which
they will be unable to pay their taxes IL
not assisted until another crop is raised.
The only authorized body who is in duty
bound to attend to such things is the
Board. And the county, in providing for
such, must pay in county warrants about
$1. 80 FOR what 81 in actual cash will buy.
All these warrants. and several have been
issued, draw seven per cent interest until
cashed in their order ms the money is paid
into the treasury If the county buys a
! book, load of coal or sack of flour, the
seller slaps on 25 cents on the dollar in
order to get even, because the warrants
are marketed at rs cents. Thus
the eouuty is compelled to pay the 25
cents depreciation and per cent interest,
because there is no money in the treasury,
and for the same reason they are unable
to extend needed time to many in paying
taxes. Nearly every man in the county
has borrowed money, giving real estate OIL
chattel security. Why did you borrow
money Because you had none; because
your credit was not as good as it should
be, and because by borrowing this money
you could purchase needed articles to I
teAers.iunasAge. and yon reasonably ex
pect in the course Of certain time you
condition will be such you can pay
what you borrowed after having had tn,
use of the money to place you in bette
circumstances. This is the condition o
the county exactly. All over the COUNTY
are people who, though not actually IL
need. yet are not going to be able Il
pay their taxes when due, The resTl
will be innumerable tax sales, and mucl
property will pass into the hands of capi
talists, who hold the land for speculation
to the disadvantage OF the residents. L
there was available money on hand tn,
Board can and will grant an extension o
tiine on payment of taxes until the crops
are garnered This will be great boor
to many of our farmers. Providing thii
bonding should be accomplished the com
missioners will be enabled to reduce mex
years taxes.
Bonds to the amount of $4,000 for in
stance, bearing per cent. interest, car
be readily sold in the east, made payable
in five or ten years. According to the
records there are 1920 quarter sections Of
land yet to be proved up and made assess.
able. But within FIVE years nearly all this
land will be assessable, and personal
property greatly increased. Thus we will
not only hnve the assistance OF time buI
also the assistance of hundreds yet tC
come to the county in paying these bonds.
To cali a special election or voe Of the
people ON the question would cost hund.
reds of dollars. Therefore the commits.
sioners consider it best to hold conven-
tion of the people as specified and If it is
this conventions will, the commissioners
will ask the Legislature to grant them O
special act to bond the county for what
ever sum agreed upon. pay off the out
standing warrants. stop interest on same,
and do business on a cash basis.