Sturgis advertiser. (Sturgis, Dakota [S.D.]) 1887-1???, 1890-09-25
w ATER, LIGHTS, ST. CARS
A Proposition Submitted to the
Citizens Of Sturgis
FOR PUBLIC IMPROVEMENTS.
An Assurance that the Plants will Cost
UPWARDS of 5000. 600.

An Assurance that the Plants will Cost
Upwards of 5000 900.
A public meeting was held at the city:
hall Last Friday evening upon call Of
Mayor Monheim to consider the ques-
ton of putting in system OF water
works, an electric light plant and a motor
line for the city OF Sturgis. The room
was crowded with business men and
property owners of the town, and the
proposition for water supply was stated
by Mr.. Ross, attorney for A. Ell. Harris
and associates, which was in substance
that they would put in the plant if the
people, through the council, would agree
to take eighty-five hydrants for the use
OF the city at 800 per annum each, pay
able quarterly in advance; that they
would furnish public buildings with
water free of charge and to private con-
sumers at a very nominal figure. The
proposition was favorably entertained,
and committee of five Messrs. Daven-
port, Polk, Wenke, Sparks and Kirk
was elected to advise with the council in
the preparation of such ordinances as
will guard the interests of the city and
be acceptable to Mr.. Harris and associ-
ates.
The council will hold an adjourned
meeting tomorrow night to act upon the
passage of the ordinances, which will
provide for improvements that will neces-
state an expenditure of at least $780,
900.
A representative of the ADVERTISER in
terviewed Mr.. Ross upon the subject and
he said:
''The people whom I represent are able
to put in here as fine plant of the kind
as exists in this section of the country.
They have gone into the matter as bust
ness men and unless they think they can
get fair return for their money they
will go no farther. They are not here
for philanthropic purposes. have tried
to impress this fact upon the minds of
the people here. The taxes are going
to be very much increased by the put
ting in of the water and electric plants
and the people of Sturgis must bestir
themselves to get people in here to help
pay this tax. We hope to be able to
render valuable assistance in that direc-
ton.
"Some have suggested that those now
interested in the scheme might sell out
the franchise to others, or bond the plant
so as to reduce, or entirely dispose of,
their interest in it. In regard to this i
have said that in all probability the plant
will be bonded, nearly all such plants
are, and as to the sale of the franchises
I will say that the franchises are granted
to Mr.. Harris, his associates, successors
and assigns A corporation will be Or
ganized and the franchises will be as
signed to that corporation. The stock
of this corporation will be divided among
those interested in the scheme according
to their respective interests. Now lean
not say that the stock shall not change
hands, in fact I presume some of it will
change hands. Whether or not our peo-
pie continue to hold their interests here
will depend upon whether or not they
can make it pay, and whether it can be
made to pay or not will depend to a
great extent upon the people of Sturgis.
II have tried to state honestly and
fairly our proposition here and trust that
no one has been mislead by anything ]
have said. We are going to put in these
plants expecting to get the largest posi-
BILE income from the smallest possible
investment consistent with first -class ser.
| vices.''
The ADVERTISER is in favor of this
movement, and hopes that the council
will succeed in closing the contract with
this syndicate, as it means the building
of quite city here where we now have
but small village.