Lewiston teller. [volume] (Lewiston, North Idaho) 1878-1900, 1888-06-28
COST OF A NEW COURT HOUSE.

l
the necessity Of a new court house
This necessity admits of no question
The law on the subject is imperative and
declares that if the county commissioner
fail to provide suitable rooms for holding
the district courts, then it is the duty Of
the sheriff under tho direction of the
judge Of the district to provide such
rooms.
1t is quite apparent that Judge Logan
will and should condemn the present
building. To rent suitable house for
holding courts and for the occupancy 81
the several county officers will cost at
least 81 200 per annum. What will ii
cost TO issue bonds and build new court
house? The taxable property in Nez
Perce county is estimated at 81 $50, 900.
The interest on $4,000 of county bonds
would at six per cent per annum-and
they could be Aoated at this rate-be
just 81 200 and necessitate the levying
Of tax of one mill on tho dollar valua.
ton of property. Our aggregate rate Of
taxation last year was twenty 1--we mills
on each dollar valuation of property.
1t is at present, by the levy Of the board
prior to division Of the county, twenty
mills, and with the interest on bonds it
will be twenty.one mills. In any event
the additional tax Of one mill must be
raised either..to pay interest or rent. No
one can doubt which ID the wiser ex.
penditure to mako. The bonds can be
issued SO as to have the first ones due "a
advance Of the others, making soEe due
each year until the entire amount is paid.
In this way the payment q the bonds
will hardlgI6s felt. Before their
maturity the reservation will have been
opened. One thousand Indians with
their property will have been added to
the wealth and population of the county,
several thousand settlers will have taken
up the excess Of land, and tho valuation
Of property in the county increase several
told. 1t is estimated that our county
will be free from debt at the close of the
present year, and with smaller territory,
less litigation and with q wise and
economical administration Of county
officers, our taxes can be decreased while
property is increasing in valuation. The
bonds would doubtless be sold elsewhere,
and 100000 brought in and spent in the
county, the benefit Of which would be
felt BY all the people, confidence in the
future Development Of the town and
county, would be restored, the value of
property would be enhanced, vacant
houses would--be occupied. new houses
would be erected and new era dawn
upon the city and county. If We neg.
lect our duty in this matter, a suit for
damages to the health of some unfor.
tuuate occupant of the county Jail might
cost the county more tn -. :
Iol new structure. The present build
ing is disgrace to the civilization Of the
county. Moreover it will be difficult to
retain the U. s.. courts with no suitable
building in which ts hold its terms We
trust our commissioners will act promptly
IN this matter. The tide in the affairs
"of Lewiston and Neg Perez county is
at its food" Shall We take it and lead
on to fortune? Or shall We contend and
disagree among ourselves until We be-
come abye-word and reproach among
our more cnterprising neishbors2 The
question is a serious one and our people
must answer it. We need the court
house. 1ts erection!will add no additional
expense to the taxes which will be
necessarily levied. We need Jail, the
reservation should be Immediately opened
and good and convenient road to the
Potlatch country should be built. Our
members Of the next legislature should
secure an appropriation to build bridge
across Snake river later on we can
bridge the Clearwater with territorial aid.
These are enterprises that commend
themselves to all unselfish citizens who
have at heart the present good and
future prosperity Of the county. Let
all our people act promptly and mutually
in pushing them forward. He that is
not with US is against US and for some
other town and county. Reader, where
do you stand? The TELLER is for
Lewiston and Nee PIERCE county and
their interests. Let US all work together
earnestly and tremendously to make
our city and county the foremost in the
territory in enterprise and prosperity.
Mine Bonded In Idaho County,