Arizona weekly citizen., 1886-06-26

AA a LLCNsAnk oA AAAO u OA NAS progressive citizens of Tucson, held at the City Hall last evening, a definite proposition was made by a responsible company to erect reduction works ID thIs city, providing certain concessions are made. Their proposition had been under consideration by committee pre- viously selected, whose report modified the original offer somewhat, and wes adopted by the meeting as the sense of that body. The question is one of great importance to this city, and it should be carefully considered before any binding obligation IS fastened upon our ciIy or county. We can all see and appreciate the necessity of reduction works, and We do not apprehend that our people will be Gyerse to extending reasonable inducements to secure industries ot every kind, but ordinary prudence and good business judgment would require some guaranty that the affairs Of the subsidized enterprise will be carried on somewhat different from the historical but pertinent expression of taxing the mine owner "all the traffic will bsar." The special exemption of the propertyroi the reduction company from taxation for the period of ten years is a very llb- eral concession, for oar taxes are quite heavy burden at the present time; but thus exemption would far more than re psy itself in the increased value Of all other properties and the erea- tion of"ther taxable property, especially In tine way of productive mines. The donation of tine lands IS not matter of much mopent unless the company be priviiged to select very valuable prop critics and expensive water rights. Good and cheap sites can be had for & very moderate sum, in locations accessible by a spur of the railroad through a cheap right of way. The third proposition, to pay a royalty of one dollar per ton of ore worked, to the limit of fifty thou- sand dollars, is probably the most sensi- ble method of subsidIzing the plant if 6 donation IS to be made al all. for it in- sures the treatment of large amount Of ore to earn that sum and affords 8 safeguard to ihe proper expenditure of
 the amount donated. Altogether the | people are asked a great deal IF inc
 way of concession to the company, and
 tue question to be determined now is,
 will 1t pay to make them? Let us see: As # noE is, 8 small fraction of the ore mined near the city, IS senti away for reduction, at heavy cost. The best grade Is sent awsy, leaving the bulk re- mainIng oD the dumps of grade too low to ship. The mining interests lag for want of reduction facilities. very much like the farming interests oi Salt river are stagnated through a lack of transportation facilities to q good mar ket. Mining Is our chief source Of wealth and prosperity and is encouraged in every possible manner, even by the most favorable legislation. We have great hopes that something in the fu- lure will bring s,fOOd tide of prosperity 10 our doors, but we have not yet real izel that We must ourselves tempt timid capitsl.t to assist us and 10 actual ly buy the magnet with which to draw others to us.
 Accepting.as fact the proposition of the Hawkcye Reduction Company to erect complete and thorough works in this ci.y; to reduce ores at 0 reasonable cost; to treat the miner with that de gree Of fairness md honesty that he will cnnna as-ain with his littls bunnh o' ore: to add to the capacity of theIr works and also to draw to their side Q dIversi- ty of industries capable Of being SUD- ported by our resources, 1t presents picture of vivid activity and as coIol. lary, 2 neral prosperity. We want man. ufactories of every kind, and as moth ing succeeds like success" it is m the nature Of self-protection that our Deo- pie should make the first effort in this direction a phenominal success, even though others should make dollars while we are making dimes, for dimes are far better than nothing.
 It is question of policy with our peo- pie. Tho investment may be a good oneor bad one; time alone can determine that. If We venture nothing We can hope to gain nothing, and We feel certain tha. the hoalthfulness of our incompatible eli mate cannot in itself induce people to come here and settle, ss fine as it is. We hope our citizens will take steps to secure some kind of reduction works, even though they deem the present pro- position too exscting or too burdensome. |