Sturgis advertiser. (Sturgis, Dakota [S.D.]) 1887-1???, 1889-04-20

included in its boundaries were to re-
main in the parent county, and as con.
sequence taxes will be great deal
higher. Facts existing and on record
do not bear out these assertions. There
are no small counties in the territory Of
Dakota but what are better off in every
sense than the great white elephants
known as the "big" counties.
Perhaps the best illustration we could
use certainly the one with which the
people of this section are best acquainted
lis the cease of our northern neighbor,
Butte county. When Butte was set UP
in business for herself she took with hel
ia debt of $4,000, assumed by her as
her proportion of old Lawrence county's
debt. The basis of settlement was 7 per
cent of the assessed valuation. How dc
matters stand today? The figures will
soon show.
Bear in mind both counties started of
evenly, i. g., on per cent basis
Butte, since her segregation, has in
creased her debt between $1,000 and
$4,000, expenses incurred in the prepar-
ing for business: such as the PURCHASING ne
of safes, furniture, records, blanks, etc
Her assessed valuation at present is
100000. This is a reduction in hel
per centum Of 2 per cent. For her $780,
600 total Indebtedness she has $4,000 in
actual property to show and her old
original gift from Lawrence of $4,000
with nothing to show for it. In the
meantime Lawrence has increased its
debt over 100000 and raised its pei
cent to IA, or double what it was at
time of segregation. To sum it up
Butte has decreased her per cent by 2,
while increasing her debt $4,000; Law
renee has increased her per cent to IA
and at the same time increased her debt
100000. Butte has property to show
for her increase of debt, and Lawrence
has absolutely nothing. Butte can
realize at least 20 per cent on her debt il
she were compelled to sell her property,
What per cent could Lawrence realize on
hers? Does onyone want to purchase
the whole of Lawrence's property fol-
$4,000? We surmise not.
AS regards taxation since the separa-
tion, Butte has never been assessed more
than IT. per cent, including the terri
torial tax, and excepting school. This is
about 20 per cent less than Lawrence.
In fact, Butte has always been less since
set off by herself. In Butte ranches
average in assessed valuation - from
$500 to $500. In Lawrence as high as
$1,000. Cattle in Lawrence are graded,
running from $15 to 800, and milch COWS
as high as $25. In Butte they are not
classed. The average is $12. Horses
in Butte are never higher than $35.
Stock -raisers in Lawrence know how
much they have paid here in the past.
These are few facts and figures
taken at random from the history of the
two counties. If we are successful in
electing solid, substantial, level headed
men as the commissioners the history
of Meade county will be the same. Our
citizens are set solidly against any care
less or extravagant expenditures, and be-
lieve that in every case possible we
should spay as We CO." What we can
not pay for we do not want. If this rule
is adhered to we will have the banner
county of south, if not the whole Of
Dakota.
Governor Mellette has appointed John
son Nickeus, of jamestown, attorney
general Of Dakota. 1t is said the place
was offered to O. S. Clifford. but declined.