The Helena independent. [volume] (Helena, Mont.) 1875-1943, 1890-12-23
LIVE MUNICIPAL TOPICS.
Some Expressions of Opinion on the
Proposition to Issue Cou-
pom Bonds.
Paying off Indebtedness and Street
improvements are Sepa-
rate Questions.
The Dumping Ground Question Not Yet
Settlea-The Aldermen Will Meet
Again Tonight.

The proposition of bonding the city in
the sum Of $4,000 is receiving general
discussion among business men of all
CLOSES. It has its supporters and its oppo-
nents, and the opinions given in favor OF
the scheme appear to carry moro weight
than those dissenting. A gentleman IN
talking about this yesterday rensrked:
ut strikes mo as a very sensible and bust
ness-like proposition. Here we are to-day
issuing paper that is discounted from five
to eight per cent. If something is not done
to call the warrants in, the evil of issuing
them will only increase. The pernicious
practice. as it is aptly termed. will be nee
essarily continued and the probabilities are
that, in case the city cannot get any funds.
the warrants will depreciate in value so
cents on tho dollar. The proposition seems
to be one that should meet with general ia
vor. in view of the fact that it is proposed,
with the money to be secured, to wipe out
the floating Indebtedness and leave bal
ance for the payment in cash
of current expenses. What ID the
bond proposition, anyhow? 10 my
way Of looking at it. it resolves itself into
a question of interest and how to obtain
the lowest rates. With warrants bearing
seven per cent. interest and which to be
made negotiable are shaved five per cent,
making II per cent. interest, it occurs to
me that any sane man would prefer to use
this same money at four or five per cent.
It is not question now of is the city coun-
Gil going to be extravagant with this money;
it is one of shall we wipe out our debt and
commence anew. As l understand it the
intention is to clear up the Indebtedness"
''Yes, these people can all talk about ex-
travagance." said Alderman Lissner, but
would like to see any one OF them point
back to an administration where SO much
permanent street improvement has been
accomplished AZ has been done since last
May. We are here to make our city look
beautiful and attractive, and first of all we
should have good, level streets. We cannot
do too much to improve our streets, and
like to see it. This is the time to do it. for
as it is delayed from year to year it will
ooet great deal more. When We get our
new charter, of course we can fix pro-
vision that will throw the cost
of improving streets upon abutting prop
erty. But as we cannot do that
now the next best thing to do is to pay for
that have been improved are to-day in
splendid condition and l don't think any
body has any kick coming on the work that
has been done in this direction. Helena
has not spent nearly so much money for
street work this year as other cities III the
northwest, and I'll wager that We have had
moro and better work done for the same
money than any of them.
eve ought to raise the money proposed
for in the bonds. Securities of these kind
are much sought after by financial institu-
tions of the east and they are much cheaper
in the end for the city. You see in our new
charter we can create an interest and sink
ing fund and with the proposed arrange
ment of charging the cost of improving
streets to AUDITING property. the expenses
of the city government will be reduced, as
we'll as the tax levy and VIC can then get
along swimmingly. The people should ia
vor the bonds because it affords the best
means of getting out of debt and placing
tbs city's credit where it should belong.
The difference in favor of the bonds is at
least seven per cent. If the people don't
want to do this they will wonder next year
Why their taxes have increased"
''The city Of Helena ought to spend all
the money it can possibly raiss on street
improvement" is the opinion of Street
Commissioner Brady. ut will be whole
lot better to do this now. than in years to
come. 1t is money we'll spent because it
will have to be done eventually. II it will
cost $32, coo now to buy the necessary land
to open Lawrence street, it will cost great
deal more as property surrounding 1T in
creases in value. The same is true in other
parts Of the city where it will be necessary
TO extend Streets"
The city council will meet tonight and
the bond proposition will doubtless be the
all-absorbing topic. The notice of election
has been drawn up by the city attorney and
will be submitted. All the aldermen should
be present. A bare quorum was on hand
when the proposition was considered at the
last meeting, and it was decided to defer
further action until the next meeting, wher
all aldermen will be expected to be in at
tendance.
When Alderman Steele was acting mayor
the duml Ing ground question, always q
thorn in the side Of the deliberations of the
city council, came up. He hit upon plan
to put quietus on the matter by leaving
one question to three citizens. The propo
sition to be considered was, what would bt
reasonable amount to pay for the damag.
done to the Squaw gulch mining ground by
dumping garbage upon it. Messrs. Johr
T. Murphy, A. J. Davidson and D. A. Cory
three Of the heaviest taxpayers in Helena
were appointed to investigate and report
They said that $500 would be REASONABLE,
sum to pay the owners Of the ground. Tn
matter would have been settled then bu
the sum seemed too large. and action wa
deferred. DR.. Steele was willing to STAN
by the report of the three gentlemen an
pay the money. He and other alderme
think it would be the cheapest way out Q
it, as the city will have to pay the damage
eScntually, as the owners notified the couu
Gil not to use their ground for duml
Lawrence Hughes, the garbage man, say
that he would not take the job of cleanin
OF the ground for 81, 800. settlement {
the matter now would probable obviate a
expensive lawsuit on both sides.
The city was never in a cleaner condition
than it is now. Larry Hughes has been il
dustrious to such degree that he has sue
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