The Helena independent. [volume] (Helena, Mont.) 1875-1943, 1890-04-23
do so with cordial wishes for the success of
his administration.
THE RETIRING ALDERMEN

his administration.
THE RETIRING ALDERMEN
then escorted the aldermen-elect-Me ssrs.
Gallagher, Wilmer, Connolly, Garrett
Steele, Hartwig, Hanley and Thompson-to
the clerks desk, where they took the oath
of Office, and were then assigned to their
seats.
Messrs. Loeb and Atkinson were appoint
ed to escort the mayor-elect to the chamber,
and upon the appearance of Mr.. bradford
there was great applause. Mr.. Bradford
took the oath of Office at s:46 and Mayor
Fuller introduced Mayor Donald Brad
ford to the council. The roll was then
called and the new council consists of Al
dermen Allen. Gallagher, Richards. Wilmer,
Hartwig, Theme, Hanley, Dunn and Ihomp-
son. Mayor Bradford then read the follow
ing message to the new council:
Gentlemen of the Council: majority of
the citizens of Helena having passed over
the claims of a gentleman in many ways
better vualitied and asked me to assume the
executive functions of the city, do SO with
full recognition Of the great responsible
ties entailed, made all the heavier at this
time by reason of the fact that we have
reached the point vixen town dies and q
city is born, period between the time when
funerals walk and funerals trot. If it were
possible to secure unanimous appreciation
would be rendered easy indeed. It would
be pleasurable work to destroy bad road
| IN making boulevard, to replace miners
cabin with a business palace, to see the
bright countenances of the busy workmel
buoyed up by the prospect of plenty. The
person who makes two blades of grass grow
where one grew before is not more useful
/ than he who piles one brick upon another.
| 1 feel an ambition first to inspire the prop
| erty owners with desire for progressive
campaign in the interest of improvement
and then execute with diligence such de-
crees their will expresses.
1t is conceded that Helena is city with
expectations OF greatness, but it does not
follow that full fruition Of hopes in this
direction can be reached without effort.
The only way to build city is to build it.
The primary attempt in such work in
spires ambition for higher flights. The
mere exhibition of enterprise attracts en-
| terprise, and thus when the ball is started
the cumulative increase of speed conquers
the inertia of conservatism. 1t is different,
however, to stimulate private building en-
terprises unless public work can be made
| to keep abreast of them.
Street grading and sewerage must pio-
neer the way. The serious question we
now face is how to provide funds for work
of this character after the current expen-
ses of the city are assured. The state con-
stitution very wisely places limitation of
} per cent upon the assessed valuation as
the extent of the borrowing power, except
for certain special purposes therein men
toned. That limit having now been
reached by the corporation, no further issue
of bonds can be placed until such time as
the assessment for state and county pur-
poses shall have been so increased as to
again spread the wings of credit, prospect
SO far off and Offering such limited oppor-
tunities that no dependence can be placed
upon 1t for some time to come.
m bo hfain nv a
wise increase of the assessment at the
proper time of the property within the
limits, and this is recommended. An in
spection of the roll and comparison of
them with prevailing values of real estate
show such disproportion existing that
owners have no reasonable ground for OBJ
lection, but even when this and other av-
enues have been opened to their widest
capacity the fact still remains that when
the expenses of the regular departments of
the city government are provided for there
will be but a scanty surplus for special
purposes, such as street grading and paw
ing. 1t becomes evident that to keep pace
with the demands for work of public
character recourse must be had to system
of special assessment on AUDITING property
that which will be benefited as a result Of
the expenditure. The assumption by the
. general fund of the charges of street grad
ing. curbing or paving except at points OF
intersection of streets is neither expedient
/ nor just, excepting perhaps in individual
instances in grading. Such system offers
ing and favoritism which involves expen-
ditures at points where the real necessity is
not apparent. When the legislative power
in this interest can be invoked advise an
early application in such shape that it will
safely pass the ordeal of supreme court
jurisdiction.
While the situation thus outlined neces.
states postponement of many public
works of an important nature, there are
some the necessity of which IRE SO imper
alive, that means should be provided out
side the legal methods of enforced pay
ment. First and foremost is the immediate
, construction of stone curbing on all i'm
proved streets. l recommend stone not
, only because of its longevity, but on account
of the benefits to accrue to the labor of the
city in its preparation and location. Unit
something of the kind is provided no per-
manent system of sidewalks can be Oh
! tanned, the necessity for which is referred
to in another place.
If satisfactory prices can be secured from
Q contractors, based upon general construc
. ton, it would seem advisable for all prop
q erty owners in the improved zone to tax
r advantage of the reduced rate to improv
their frontage. The argument we shall
have to meet and refute is that money s.
expended is practically a dead investment
: The impression Is, in my opinion, short
J, sighted one.
n The principle is we'll settled that want
create wealth instead of dissipating il
Every dollar usefully spent comes bac
: with an increment. If all the inhabitant
l. owning property, properly located, shout
II proceed to the execution of this work, til
funds put into circulation would lard wit
:, their richness every stream of industry
vt great and small. Aside from the improve
:, appearance of the city, streets, and thei
IL added attractiveness to visiting stranger
/ the expenditure would keep employed a
'e army of skilled laborers who would nee
le lots on which to build and homes in whic
Is to live. They would seek the stores fl
III supplies and give general trade an activit
or much to be desired. If an additional ma
l. population of five hundred equivalent to a
E. increase i'll population of twenty five hun
9 bred souls) could be employed on this an
is similar work, an enhancement of real e
TO tate would result, equal if not greater tina
le the entire cost of the improvements mad
. thus through the operation of natural Law
II the streets could be substantially curbe
and sidewalks reconstructed not only at Il
expense, but at an additional profit in IL
general result. AS an illustration of this
instance the fact that Kansas City snatche
y from Leavenworth and Atchison the con
II mercial supremacy of the Missouri vale
L. largely because of the irregular surfa,
At upon which the place was built. Hills ha
e. to be leveled and depressions filled. whic
offered market for the labor of mar
lg thousands of men and they focked there
es such numbers that a city was establishe
re by the very existence of presumpti'
4 ~, oh re l>,-ah