The new North-west., 1888-04-27

prevailed ana the Cla1r lppOluttu DIS SuCA
Committee: J. Fl. Owings, Henry s. Reed,
H. H. Zenor, N. j. Bielenberg, Samuel Scott
and on motion 0. B. O'Bannon was added
to the committee.
A motion to add additional members from
West Deer Lodge was on statement OF tile
conditions by Marshal r. S. Kelley, lost
On motion the meeting adjourned to meet
at Union Hall at 700 p. m. Monday, April 80.
JAMES H. MILLS,
o. B. O'BANNON, Chairman.
Secretary.
The above is the formal report Of the first
meeting ever assembled in Deer Lodge to
consider the question of municipal incorpor-
alton. The expression was, with the excep-
ton of Mr.. Walton. unanimous in favor of
incorporation, Mr.. O'Bannon's remarks
being conservative and stating concisely but
comprehensively the possible objections as
we'll as the material benefits of it, but ex.
pressing approval of the present incorpora-
tion laws and favor of incorporation If it
should not be of the s'hurrah" kind, but con-
Quoted economically for practical benefit
Mr.. Bennett was decidedly in favor of it,
effective and thoroughly interested control
it gives the citizens over their own town as
compared with the limited and inadequate
government exercised by County Commis-
sioners, of which a majority were, and
doubtless will continue to be, resident else
where, and not directly interested in the
town. He spoke of Missoula, an incorpor-
ated city, in contrast with Deer Lodge, and
stated the entire city taxes of Bennett Bros.
in Missoula on property valuation of S1O,-
600 were less than they subscribed toward one
night watchman in Deer Lodge. As to the
matter of franchise, and the alleged desire Of
the Water Company to get an exclusive
franchise in Deer Lodge, he stated the
Water Company did not desire it, and be-
sides, exclusive franchises were absolutely
prohibited by law. The Water Company
had asked no franchise, had put in their
money and constructed the system here
without ever asking anyone to even agree to
patronize them, and would stand their pro-
was decidedly in favor of incorporation.
Mr.. Walton opposed it on the ground of
increased taxes, which were now heavy, and
the danger Of exclusive franchises being
granted. We had gotten along very we'll
without city government for many years,
and believed we should not incorporate, at
least for the present The first city govern
ment might be good, but succeeding ones
might be bad.
DR.. Owings said at present there was no
jurisdiction over the location of houses OF
i'll fame; that they might be and were erected
aud maintained in the very doors of respect
able citizens, and might be in the immediate
vicinity vf somv opposed to incorporation,
and there was now no remedy. The alleys
of the town were full Of offal, dead dogs and
cats and all that would breed disease and
death, and they so continued.
DR.. c. G. Glass announced that he had
word to say against incorporation. He could
recall the time when he and DR.. Owings and
other physicians had abundant business with
fevers and kindred diseases, but since the
water works were in and pure water was
plentiful there was much less sickness, and if
the town should incorporate, keep its high
ways and byways and premises clean and
conduct off through sewers the death and
disease that came of ofal and the general
uncleanliness that characterized unincorpor-
ated towns, the occupation of the physicians
would be still more reduced. This was all
the objection he had to offer against incor-
poration.
Mr. Joslyn spoke of his experience in in
corporated and unincorporated towns. The
advantages were all with the former. He
cited Dillon as an example in Montana, and
expressed his belief that the thrift and pros
city government, where energy and enter
prise had everywhere contribu to its well
fare, good government and rapid growth,
and at an expense so small that no taxpayer
felt any material increase of burden from it,
Mr. H. r. Whitehill being called for, said
he scarcely felt it necessary to speak. The
unanimity of sentiment in favor of incor-
porating left nothing to reply to. He was
not apprehensive Of any franchise being
asked, and if anybody who had the dollars
to do it would put in water works, electric
or gas lighting, or sewerage, or any other
improvement that would inure to the health,
happiness and prosperity of the town, he
would be only too glad to see them get a
franchise for the purpose. The Water Com
pany had largely increased the value of all
property in Deer Lodge, and would continue
so to do. It had already created an inquiry
for and the purchase of residence property
in Deer Lodge, had given it the impetus of
progress as now already manifest in the pur-
chase of property and the erection of busi-
ness and residence buildings, and although
they did not ask any franchise he would
favor giving it to them if they did. The
Chair had stated that the maximum taxation
under city incorporation, except to pay a
Judgment. was u mills in any year; that the
total debt that could be incurred was three
per cent of the assessed valuation, only one
per cent. of which could be incurred in any
one year. There could be no danger or
strain in this, even at the maximum, and
there would pro badly be no occasion to reach
this except for permanent Improvements, on
which the citizens would have vote.
Mr. Carleton stated the benefits in adjust
ing the grade Of streets, keeping sidewalks
in safe condition, and exercising direct con-
troll over matters that pertained to the health
and welfare of citizens. He had lived in in
corporated cities where a number Of officers
were maintained at large salaries, and the
benefits exceeded the cost, but here he was
informed there were but few officers, with
the fees or salaries entirely within control of
the City Council, which had the power, if
they deemed it best, to consolidate or abolish
these offices, reducing the expense to a
merely nominal one. He was certainly in
1ayor Of Incorporation, that the town which
was noted for its educational institutions
and its advantages as place of residence
should be as healthy, clean, safe, orderly and
we'll governed as it was possible for town
to be made.