Freeland tribune. (Freeland, Pa.) 1888-1921, 1892-04-21
DON'T WANT TO ANNEX.
A Property Owner of the Points
Criticises the Move.
HE DOES NOT WANT THE POINTS TO
COME INTO THE BOROUGH-THINKS
OUR SCHOOL TAXES AND ASSESS
MENTs ARE NOT QUITE RIGHT.

The following communication from a
resident of the Points may prove of
interest, as the question of annexation
is now being discussed in both parts of
the town:
EDITOR TRIBUNE.-In your last issue
there was an article on annexation of
the Points to the Borough. 1t is not my
intention to address my few remarks
to the TRIBUNE, but to the many others
in the borough who are clamoring for
annexation and can give no good reasons
for doing so. For six years have lived
in the Points and for five years have
been property holder. Since this ques-
tion has been year or two going, plenty
time has been given to consider the
subject.
1t is true that we are at disadvantage
in regard to fire company and some
other minor things, but allowing the
people of the borough everything which
they may claim is an advantage over us,
l believe we are as well off as the people
in the borough. Whenever you meet a
him on this subject, the first thing he
will say is "that the saloon men are
preventing the Points from annexing."
Now, while they may not be in favor
OF such move, l claim they are not 80
much to blame as the authorities in the
borough. Living in the borough cannot
be all sunshine any more than it is in the
Points. The abuse of public power in
the borough is about as disgraceful as
can be found anywhere. Investigation
will show that the way taxes are heaped
upon the laboring man who happens to
own little property is an outrage.
The law says that thirteen mills is the
limit to be levied for school purposes.
Then why are the citizens of the borough
compelled to pay twenty-six mills?
There has been no new schools built
in the borough for several years. Is this
not an abuse that should be corrected?
To ask the Points to annex to any place
where this state of affairs exists is ridic-
ulous.
But this is not all. How about the
method OF assessment in the borough?
Is it not disgraceful also? Citizens who
are living on the back streets are assess
ed nearly twice as much as some who
are not a stones throw from the middle
of Centre Street, in the heart of the bor-
ough. Scarcely any person is assessed
in accordance with their calling or pro-
fession, excepting the poor laborer or
miner. If these things are true, as /
claim they are, is it any wonder we don't
want to annex?
1t may be said that streets, sidewalks,
police protection and sewerage would be
of great benefit to us down here. AS
for the streets, must say that they are
kept in repair about the same way in
the borough as they are here, namely.
dig cellar and haul the clay on them.
Then when the wet seasons come, the
streets in the borough are muddy and
in the Points muddier.
The sewers l am willing to admit
would be of untold benefit to us, but if
all the councilmen would be as generous
as some were last year, we are in plenty
time to annex for five years to come.
They were so generous and had every
thing so nice and conveniently arranged
that they did everything they could, in
sewer line, but take them to be along.
Now. as have already trespassed on
your valuable space, l am ready and
anxious at any time to advocate annex
alton, providing the above mentioned
abuses are remedied or that it is proven
they do not exist. FIVE POINTS.