The Kimball graphic. (Kimball, Brule County, Dakota [S.D.]) 1883-1905, 1891-02-06
THE KiMBALL GRAPHIC
GLA,rE IL. T,INAN.
Official Paper Of The City and County
WHITTIER AnE WE DR.rr.rc


That tits easier to criticise than to sug-
gest remedyis evidenced by the general
dissatisfaction openly expressed at the
debt Brule county is piling up over the
artesian well business. And while it is
true that the county is getting deeper
into debt than there is occasion for, and
to an extent greater than there is any
hope Of obtaining artesian wells to com
pensate Therefore, the blame should be laid
where it belougs-upon the people them-
selves and, incidentally, we are willing
to stand our share of 1T and confess that
individually, it is another case where the
GRAPH1C's hindsight turns out to be bet
ter than its foresight.
Out Of debt Jan, /, 1890. ss,064 behind
Jan. l, 1891.
This is the record that stares the aver
age taxpayer in the face and the natur-
al inquiry swhither are we drifting?
The finance committee of thu board of
commissioners tell us IN their last re-
port that this Indebtedness is due to the
expenses incurred in the purchase of ar
tesian we'll supplies and the other neces-
sarY expenses incurred therefor. $4,000
we know has been issued for partial pay.
ments (Si,5G0) On three artesian we'll
outfits aud Tor coal, piping and the
incidental expenses connected herewith.
The balance has gone-where? Largely
for well viewing" surveying. and so
forth and 80 on. There is a disposition
to criticise the commissioners for this
large outlay with no seeming immediate
benefit. But are they to blame? To any
great extent we say no. So far as thu
expenditure Of money is concerned they
have thus far pretty closely followed the
directions of their constituency. Whether
tho plan upon which they propose to OBJ
tain artesian wells is Il wise ono ia an
other matter, and we may also add. an
open question-and II we shall take up
in a subsequent issue.
Meanwhile, il the GRAPHIC has one
thing moro than another to suggest, it is
that the board at its last meeting ought
to have given it out cold that they would
audit no more bills for we'll viewing,
surveying, ETC., until further notice.
Whether they would have the right to
this back an itl-adsised law Chat now
governing the locating and construction
of artesian weils) is an open question,
perhaps. But they would have public
sentiment 10 backthem, which usually is
better than law.
When there is any immediate prospect
of securing one well.under the present
law, either under the plan now being
pursued by the county commissioners OF
by a contract let to outside parties, ii will
be time enough to go on with this heed.
less and indiscriminate Well viewing an(
surveying, and generally expensive bust
ness. Ii there are any townships left i,
the county that havn't located a vel! ait
are lying awake nights for fear they vii
be left when the holes go around They
can Gle their petitions and leave the ex
pansa attending the location Of the wei
until such q THE az there is some pres
pect OF getting the work done. It's dol
lars to buttons that before one-half 0
the wells can he secured that the count,
has already been placed to the expense
of locating, some other law or way will
be devised that will render the money 8
expended wasted.
The question Of water was ence TN i'm
portant Il in kimball audit is to be re
GREETED that the town is now paying
debt several Thousand dollars create
than would be the case had there no
been too much i.asty and ili-adyised &,
ton. People lose their heads sometime:
especially in creating and expendin
public faads.
A year ago to-day Brnla county was il
better shape to so into the artes!an we.
business than any county in tho stat,
save three or four. Almost the am ma
be said OF it now, But unless the mos
careful management is followed til
country will have an outstanding inae.S
edness that years cannot eiface and wit
a prospect. maybe. of 10 correspondent
benefit. BrHle county should eXpand Il
1aoney in experimenting or in ciasin
TainboWs.