The pioneer express. [volume] (Pembina, Dakota [N.D.]) 1883-1928, 1886-02-19

"SNA oS 'lusS0 WILING W peElOEu ali tn(
grading the township can afford to pa,
for year by year, and who would perform
the work much more satisfactorily thar
that done by the grader. The money
expended would then also remain in tn,
township instead of going to the New
Era grader. In considering the thiri
error, that Of getting work unsatisfac
torily performed, I have to direct YOU,
attention to the majority of work per
formed during the entire summer. Ii
the first place the grading done by tn,
grader is in some places 80 narrow tina
two ordinary vehicles could scarcely pas
without considerable inconvenience, t
say nothing Of loads, hay for example
The draining will probably prove NOR,
satisfactory but time alone will tell. Ii
considering the fourth error. that of pay
ing operator of grader two much fo
quantity Of work performed. Tie mot
ives in purchasing the grader were econ
omy, and two keep pace with other town
ships. 1t is estimated that a New Err
grader, in good working ordel
will grade l6O rods of ordinary
road in day, which at Scots. per rod
will equal 5000. The expense connect
ed with operating it equals somethin,
like 5000 per day. So that a grader
satisfactorily operated, would save the
township 5000 per 160 roads or slOO.C(
per mile over tho pillow and scraper plan
Respecting this question l beg leave t.
ask our supervisors how much has oul
grader saved the township over the old
system during the past summer?
think it is about time to take these
matters into serious consideration and
adopt for q motto minimum of expen
diture combined with maximum of eftic
iency." We want honest, upright, con.
sclencious men, who will perform all
work entrusted TO them faithfully and
zealously and not men who in the face Of
facts are obliged to flee the country 70,
fear their evil deeds might become
public. In order to grapple successfully
with the growing demand for better roads,
drains, &C., a system of road work should
be organized to be performed by every
land owner. the quantity of work per.
formed to be regulated by valuation Of
real estate on assessment roll.
Now, in conclusion, 1 have only to say
that. although this is, strictly speaking,
an agricultural country, in order to sue.
coed in this lin. of business we want the
cooperation and sympathy of all classes
OF business men in order that we may be
able to deyise means to run our school
district, township and county affairs with
the least possible expense.
Pembina, DIT. FARMER.
Editor PIONEER EXPRESS:
In my last communication the type,
made Inc say that the court house bond,
were $4,000 and interest thereon SIS,
10000. It should have read: Bonds ar,
$l5. 10000 and interest.
In reference to road labor aud roa,
taxes; there are many criticisms which
might be made on the law itself though
its underlying principles are all right.
is manifestly wrong to levy tax of an.
kind on a previous years valuation
either on real estate or upon persona
property. For instance: A valuable prop
erty like mill. a store building, or hous.
ON farm, will add, say $4,000, in valu,
to the lot or land on which it stands, fo
the year 1884. The tax for 1884 is paie
to the county in full, according to the ia,
receipt given for that year; yet the fol
lowing year tax is levied. differing il,
pro rata because on another assessment
from other taxes of the same year,) ne
matter if fire or tornado has swept thu
5000 improvements into ashes or chaos
The same is true in reference to persona
property. A merchant doing $4,000
business fails during the winter and be
comes a poor man. working for $50 6
month perhaps, when the following yeal
at the rate Of road work levy in tl,i.
township, he would have to pay $4,000
road tax on the property that has gon.
into the hands of his creditors. Some
instances of tho interference of times o
returns will be noticed later. Only the
legislature can remedy these evils
but the carrying out the details rest with
the township officers.
In levying for road work, would sug.
gest that this tax is the easiest and mos,
satisfactory tax that can be levied and
paddy resident taxpayers! In most
cases it can be paid by work adjoining
their own farms, which many times
would be done by the owner for his own
benefit. if he were never taxed at all. I
will not say that it is any easier for non
owners, for it costs them money
like any other kind of tax; though
through the neglect oftown officers, many
Of the townships have kindly excused
owners from paying this
kind of tax. though generally careful that
residents work out theirs on the road,
This neglect however. is not quite 90
general as last year, anG we hope another
ear that no townships will omit this i'm
'ortant duty.
10 instance the gross neglect in such
Kings as these, not only road tax, but
ne general levy for township purposes is
ct sent in as it ought to be. Thus last
III after each clerk had been written to
least once, yet three weeks before taxes