Northern tribune. [volume] (Cheboygan, Mich.) 1875-1885, 1885-02-12
NORTHERN TRIBUNE.
THURSDAY, FEBRUARY IL, 1885.
The City Charter.

Sity
We hear that some of the opponents to
procuring a city charter for Cheb0ygan
base their opposition on the fact that the
village is largely in debt. and they are
opposed to having their property brought
within the corporate limits and taxed to
help pay the debt; and in presenting this
argument. If we have been correctly in
formed, they misrsprsssnt the actual
amount of debt owed by the village, they
placing the amount from $4,000 to $780,
600, while the fact 10 the indebtedness
oaly amounts to $4,000, the amount of
bends issued for the construction of the
water works system, and for this there
IL the water works to show, and whom
the protection from fire they affsrd il
considered we do not telisvs that any
candid person will claim that they are
not worth the full value. 1t is true that
this school district owes balance of
$4,000, but this cannot strictly be con-
sidersd part Of the city debt; but, ad-
mitting IL 10, the total Indebtedness is
only $4,000, with property Of more than
the full value to represent it. We do not
wish 60 impugn the motives of any per-
son who opposes the charter; it 10 right
they possess; but in face Of the fact that
the value Of their property is largely en-
HANGED by the prosperity Of Chsboygan,
by the improvements made in its streets,
its public buildings and sewerage sys-
tenn, it strikes us that ii Is little selfish
on their part to be willing to snjov these
advantages and then refuse to contrib
ate towards paying for the same.
1t is claimed by some that the county
seat question has nothing to do with the
matter, that Chsboygan will be the eoun-
+ ty seat for all future time. 1t may be
that the question Is a remote one, but
then 1t IL like Banquo's ghost, it will not
down. This same question has arisen in
ether counties and the same apathy has
been manifested by the citizens of other
villages that had been designated as
county seats, but they eventually awOke
to fnd that Notwithstanding their conf
dence in the permanency of their town
as the county seat, that they had lost.
and the county seat in some instances
removed far interior One of our eiti-
zens who SIP ned the petition in favor Of
tho charter said no saw how it worked
ia Sanilac county. Lexington was long
the county seat, and the citizens felt
that the natural advantages Of their
place would retain the county buildings
for all time to come, but in spite Of their
confidence it was removed to Sandusky,
some twenty miles interior. Vassar, in
Tuscola county. had like experience,
and the history of several cousties in the
state reveal the same result.
The long list Of prominent citizens
who have signed the petition favoring a
city charter is sufficient answer to the
charge Of our eotemporary that there
was can African in the wood pile" The
list comprises the names of nearly all of
our leading business man and citizens,
men who have always identified them
SELVES with tho Interests of Cheboygaa
and who are above the suspicion of shay
ing an axe Of their own to grind" as
cause for their interest in tho movement.
1t was TO DO expected that there would
be opposition from some quarters, but
we believe that many of those who are
Opposinp the movement If thew wOuld |
calmly and dispassionatsly consider the
matter, looking to the greatest good to
the greatest number, would change their
viows.