The Helena independent. [volume] (Helena, Mont.) 1875-1943, 1892-03-18
LIGHTING AND 7
Defense of the Action of ths rhilipshnr
Gonuoll In the Matter.

- . Nhh~
Couuoil In the Matter.
DnpENpsNr-Ho.etofore your correspon-
dent has let pas unnoticed, except
by a few words OF o~ommendation, the sc-
ton Of our board Of alderman concerning
the contract for street lighting recently
made with the Philipsburg and Granite
Electric Light company. Tho recent at
tack of the Anaconda Standard through its
special correspondent here, calls for a more
extended notice OF the controversy ana q
few words in Justification of the oiflelal act
OF the board of aldermen under considera-
ton, since by the artiols in question acts
of bad faith are very wronGfully imputed
to them. The contract for street lighting
has been under consideration for sovoral
months: in fact it has been contemplated
and expected by most citizens OF the town
for almost q year, but not until the hnal
agreement had been entered into by both
parties was ever any opposition shown TO
it. Then u petition, signed by two resident
taxpayers of the corporation and altogether
by six different individuals, four of them
not residents Of the corporation, gives oc~
casion for q double loaded article suggest
ing iobbery and alleging righteous ,ndig-
nation, etc.
The right of these petitioners to seek re-
dress of their grievances, If they have hny,
is not denied, but the fact that a daily pa
per which receives the support that the
Standard does here should give suoh notice
to a protest 80 insignificant is the most
surprising thing about the matter. Why
did not the Standard publish the list of
names signed to the petition and thus show
tho real extent and nature of the opposl-
ton to the proposition OF street lighting!
Why did it not, by 3 fair presentation of
the situation, show tho justice Of the i'm
putations contained in thu petition? The
board OF aldermen, recognizing the deslra-
hility Of having the streets lighted by cleo
trio lights, after duo elaboration and due
time for opposition to manifest itself, en-
tered into q contract with the abave.
named company for supplying street lights
in any number from one to ten
Mt $40 each per month, and in any number
more than ten at Sis, and by the terms OF
the contract are not compelled to accept
ness-like view of tie proposition, il was
intended to take a number that would &c
curs them at the minimum cost, and at the
same tins not have a larger number thar
would be really necessary to furnish ade-
quate light for the streets. However, the
petitioners seem to be greatly outraged BY
tho fact that the cost Of street lights woulo
exceed the cost of water for the fire by
drants, and consequently denominate thu
question of street lighting as IAN unneces
sary and uncalled for luxury" They dc
not question the ability of the town te
moet the cost OF both These public improve,
ments, and we might say, necessities, no,
show Wherein the cost of either is exhorbl-
tant, or that either would be an unjust op-
preston.
The board of aldermen of Philipsbure
arc certainly representative business men
Of the town, and in this, as we'll AZ in al
their public actions, have only considered
what would be for the public benefit and
in keeping with the public enterprise of the
town. Being in q position as we'll to judge
rs the six scattering petitioners Of what the
citizens of the town desired. they have Oh.
tered into the contract which cannot fai
to be beneficial to the town and one which
is second only to that of better protection
from fire by securing increased water ia
%cilities.
The question of the benefits Of street
lighting admits Of no argument among en-.
terprising. public-spirited citizens. anc
that the contract for securing it here is s
judicious one, both in regard to cost and
the number of lights. cannot be questioned
seriously. #&
It is to be hoped that the board of alder
mon will proceed to execute the, contract ai
originally intended, and it is believed thai
in this, az we'll az in all their nublio acts
they will have the support and apprebe
ton Of the citizens generally.
w. E. MOORE.