Butte semi-weekly miner. [volume] (Butte, Mont.) 1886-1890, 1888-01-11
MUNICIPAL IMPROVEMENTS.

It is conceded on all hands that Butte
must have incorporation and extension
OF the city limits next spring. The ad-
vance in material prosperity of Butte,
which this year will evidence as it pro-
gresses, demands that it should have a
proper field for it's growth and past ideas OF
municipal government will have to give way
to a more liberal and enlightened policy.
This city now enjoys many features of
metropolitan comfort, bnt there are yet
lacking several which will have to be faced
and entered upon with hearty good will.
Helena is now in the thtoes OF agitation
OF the question OF municipal sewerage. Her
Board OF Trade-a body q Luz -. 1.-THE
progress has Endorsed the proposition
in the strongest terms as an absolute con-
dition precedent to the health OF the city
with the great progress it has recently
made. The same reasons that hold ZOO
In Helena hold good here. A city can.
not grow up into the thousands
OF population without undertake.
ing this as an imperative accompaniment
OF even existence. Butte is particularly
favored with regard to situation for sewer
age. Lying on the side OF a hill with a.
general slope to the south. there Is the cas-
lest problem for IN engineer to solve in con-
structing a sewer system here that could |
possibly be presented. With reincorpora-
ton and enlargement OF the area of the
city. this is one Of the features of metropol.
itan existence that will lave to be faced
and undertaken in earnest. The expense
contemplated in Helena involves the issue
o. $15O,OOO in bonds for a beginning, and
This will probably have to be supplemented
BY other issues as the system becomes ex.
tended. The principal debts borne BY
Eastern cities are for the cost OF municipal
improvements in which sewerage forms an
important item. With the large popula-
ton now assembled in and adjacent to
Butte, it will not do to postpone the com.
mencement OF q sewer system any longer.
II we wish to retain the present pop
ulatlon hero and see it increase
We must provide the fundamental necessa-
RES for good health. In these a sewerage q
is a principal factor. Butte has +
natural advantages that have hitherto ?
saved the city from any epidemic in the II
pure. dry atmosphere she enjoys, the por- Z
BUSINESS OF the soil, and the purifying in. 8
1uence OF the sulphur smoke that pene. :.
rates every nook and corner of the civ n
70 frequently. But these agencies will not U
10 sufficient to rely upon permanently, and K
he work OF beginning upon an ADEQUATE =
system must be one OF the first
hings undertaken after INCORPORATION.
Another thing that may be contemplated,
among the inevitable needs of a growing
ommunity that the city has to face, is a ta
adlcal alteration in the treatment of tho Ga
Ire department. This subject was ad. m
srted to the other day. but the impor- m
ance Of the subject ~justifes a return to Isl
). The stores OF Butte are very heavily OF
locked with valuable goods. Along the b.
usiness center on Main street. there arc ia d
cry few what may be called fre-trans r,
aSs'oe OF this however. and a few brick OF
locks scattered over town, the major
, OF structures are frames. The
ty, As q whole, is one in which
hberally equipped. thoroughly do
'ganlzed lire department should be main H.
lined. To meet the wants of the enlareed res
nits, at least three houses should be We
ected at convenient points for the &C.
mmodation OF apparatus and the men,.
RS OF the frs companies, ono in the north ,
q. one in the eastern and one in the west. rio
q part OF the city. They should be large do,
oagh to contain, beside hose carts, dress. !
rooms for at least twenty-five men in lit
ch, where the 6remen can keep their uni v
ms and where they can change their but
'thss after . fire in comfort. At this ane
ne OF year, With the temperature below
o. q great deal OF discomfort would be
red to men returning from. a fire coated L
il ice il they had such q convenience pro. hit
I'D Tor them. This city has reached a b
at which 1t can afford no longer to re- Maj
in Indifferent to the welfare of the fire en-
npanies. They deserve the best treat. :,
Mt the city can give them, and such
Uses as those mentioned are the first
, needed to show tho men who brave r.
comfort and danger for the preservation .an,
property Of the city that their ~eaforts Iat.
appreciated. Independently OF this, slav
safety OF the city im~psratively calls for M,
provision Of hose cart houses at differ. wha
points whore the companies can assem-. but
an alarm being sounded and save val. ses q
70 time in reaching q fire. A system of
'rical hre alarm 10 also needed. A plan
his has already been under discussion No
a. it 10 q OF tho most efficient spea
'ncts OF . fire department it Deaf
I'D DO one of the first improvements fstaI
tied. ar~~"