Daily Yellowstone journal. [volume] (Miles City, Mont.) 1882-1893, 1888-08-10
The Sidewalk Question.

spent iu discussing the sidewalk ques
tiOn, and much more was said than
could possibly be incorporated in the
proceedings published elsewhere. The
discussion was based on informal
statements and rumoIs that the par
ties, or some Of them, who had peti.
toned for sidewalks did not now want
them built. such rumors have been
current for some time on the street,
and the impression sought TO be con-
veyed was that In acting on the
prayers Of the petitioners and order
ing the sidewalks built, the council
will be enforcing hardship on many
who were unable to bear 1t. How
ever true this may be in individual
cases. the council ascertsined by ques-
tioning the street commissioner and
Others that there was very general
desire to have the sidewalks built, and
much dissatisfaction with the council
because they hsd not acted more
promptly. For this latter there is but
small grounds. SO what little delay has
supervened, has been occasioned solely
by a disinclinstion on the part of the
council to lay upon the citizens an ex-
pense which they were unwilling to
bear. On representations made last
night two lines of sidewalk were
ordered to be built Immediately and
work on them will commence withlJ
two weeks.
With the remaining sidewalks
ordered the situation il just this:
Under the official advertisement now
being published In the JOURNAL, the
street commissioner is instructed to
collect, sin not less than twenty nor
more than forty davsn from the date
Of the announcement, the special tax
levy assessed against the property de-
scribed in the advertisement, and II II
is not paid in the forty days, to return
list Of the delinluents to the county
clerk, for extension ON the tax roll.
The street commissioner reports that a
number of the parties assessed are
willing to pay when the sidewalk Is
completed" but such parties must
plainly see that the street commits,
siouer has no latitude in the matter,
and that II they do not pay within the
proper time he must return them D.
delinquents to the county clerk. Their
holding back delays the building OF
the sidewalks, as the council will not
order them built until they are salts
fled that a sufficient portion OF the a..
sessment has been collected TO warrant
them in ordering the walk built, and
Of course, with the delinquents this
cannot be ascertained until December
next or perhaps March. Thus the
dilatoriness of some, who claim Ia
really want the sidewalks built, acts
rs har TO their building and prevents
the prosecution Of this much needed
improvement. Now Is the season
when the walks should be built; II
they are delayed much longer, they
perhaps cannot be built this year. and
the winter season. when they are
most needed, will be upon US, and the
wadiDg through deep snow and spring
mud will have 10 be endured agaiI
by those who live more than a bloch
off of Main street. The time has nov
been reached, when, under the adver
tisement, the parties assessed ma,
pay the amount Of their assessment 4
the street com missioner, or motif
him that they prefer TO contribut
their quota In labor or material O
both, and It is much TO be desired ths
all who are included in this specis
lew should at once acsuaint the stree
commissioners with their intentions
On the 27tb Of this month the tax vii
become delinquent and the commits
sioner then has no option but to repor
such as have not taken action in on
way or the other, to the county clerk a
delinquent. This last step should b.
avoided II possible, aud In view OF th'
sense Of the council AZ expressed q
the meeting last night, We urge all in
terest d 10 call on the commissioner a
once and lace themselves square oil
his books.