Wood River times. [volume] (Hailey, Idaho) 1882-1915, 1886-11-15
COUNTY AFFAIRS.
A citizen OF HALEY Concludes His Re-
marks on the Financial status OF Al.
turas County.

marks on the Financial Status OF Al.
taras County.
To THE EDITOR OF THE TIMES -
In order to conclude an article pub
iished on the 9th inst, bearing upon
our financial status, and our duty rela-
tive thereto, permit me a few words
IN relation to the act of Congress of
July 80, 1886, circumscribing the
power of the Territorial Legislature
on matters of finance. Section 4 reads
as follows:
"That no political or municipal cor
poration, county, or other subdivision
In any of the Territories of the
United States shall ever become in
deoted in any manner for any purpose
to any amount in the aggregate in
GLIDING existing Indebtedness, exceed
ing per centum of the value of tax
able property within such corporation,
county, or subdivision, to be ascer-
tanned by the last assessment for Ter
rltorial or county taxes previous to
the mourning of such indebtness; and
all bonds or obligations in excess of
such amount, given by such corpora
ton, shall be void. That nothing in
this act contained shall be so con-
strued as to affect the validity of any
act of any Territorial Legislature
heretofore enacted, or of any obllga-
tons existing or contracted thereun.
der, nor to preclude the issuing of
bonds already contracted for in pur-
susnee OF express provisions of law;
nor to prevent any Territorial Legis-
lature for legalizing the acts of any
county, municipal corporation or sub
division of any Territory as to any
bonds heretofore issued or contracted
to be issued"
Section 6 Of said act bears dis
family upon the whole act, but is only
in affirmance of the common law, and
does not change the status of the
whole or of any part of said act, or
of the power of Congress or the Ter
ritorial Legislature. Let US then con-
slider the compass of said section. In
the first place, we find that our future
indebtedness, including any already
existing, is not to exceed 4 per cent.
of taxable property, and that the ad
measure of value is to be the last as,
sessment for taxes prior to the incur
ring of the obligation. Though alarm
has been shown by some at the mean
ing of that part Of said section, see
nothing to alarm. 1t is consistent
with honesty and good faith; it leaves
the people free to act in harmony with
the dictates of the purest conscience
and the most spotless honor. 1t re-
pudates nothing, nor invites to repu-
diation, but simply suggests financial
wisdom and political science. 1t treats
us as children of great family by
circumscribing our wild and rambling
discretion, based upon passed expert
ence, by telling us, thus far but no
farther, shall you go; and to Fthe
thoughtful observer it will soon APP
pear that what, at first sight, seemed
ambiguous. becomes clear in the light
of reason and an unbiased mind.
The most formidable aspect of the
act and section is specially applicable
to the people and status of Alturas
county, as l understand we are deep
est involved; yet, if we are consist
ent, we have nothing to fear. All
the section does is to limit our obi
cations to 4 per cent. of the taxable
property. / have already heard it said
that the county is indebted to the
amount of 10 per cent. of the taxable
value of the peoples property. This
is error, but for my purpose let it be
granted. While the aspect might be
unpl, asant, it would not preclude us
from complying with the legislative
will; it would only make the matter
more difficult. For example: We
would have to find means to carry or
our county government upon our in
come in such manner as to have suf-
fcient left for sinking fund-frst to
pay off our existing obligations be-
fore ne could incur any new ones
and while it might be difficult to pay
such high. percentage, it would not
be impossible, and would only require
a stronger effort at our hands; but nc
people is great without great deeds to
its credit.
However, we have no 10 per cent
debt. have only attempted to show
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