The Yellowstone journal. [volume] (Miles City, Mont.) 1893-1901, 1893-03-17
Friday. March II. 1888.
WANTED-N CITY BUILDING.

erecting Il clty building ana lmiledia
feiy after the fire of September last that
wiped out not only what we were pleased
to term our city hall. but our only au
ditOrium as well. the necessity of action
seemed SO apparent that had it o been
tine end of the building season. there is
little doubt but that public sentiment
would have hurried the city council to a
conclusion. and the city building would
ere this have been in the course of erec-
ton. But winter Was too near at hand
Tor desire To- take action. and though
the topic has not been allowed t. sleep.
it has been the germ Of SO many and
varying suggestions that for actual
realization. We appear 10 be farther from
our wishes now than ever. The burn
ing of the rink opera house at the same
time as the city hal. naturally led to
the suggestion of the erection of a build
ing which should combine the purposes
If a city hall and auditorium. and this
plan was extended to include one or two
store rooHs for renting purposes. How
ssver feasible this plan may have seemed
ut first. we think that sober reflection
will condemn it. II is doubtful whether
= municipality is legally empowered to
xO into the business of renting stores
and running "A public hall. and if it
were permissible. it must be admitted
that the city as a landlord. is bound to
,PNf fha u-prct .f II il, NANNY IN, tho.
would not be possible with "a private
individual. and this would be true To "A
lesser degree ever if the city were able
To hire a custodian for the building.
conditions be admitted it follows that
the city can or should only seek to pro
vide for its W needs in the matter of IA
building. which should comprehend "A
room for the council meetings. housing
Tor the fire apparatus. a city lock up
and apartments for the iailor whose
.ndfice for some years may be merged
with the chief Of police. 1t is estimated
that a building alrording these iccomo-
dations. and of IA good substantial
character, can be built for 5000 to
$500 and be ample for all requirements
al ten or fifteen years to come except
Yerhaps IA nose house or two located
with regard to the growth of the city
and even these not for several wears vet.
The more extensive plan Of the building
mentioned was estimated 10 require from
t2O,OOO Ia $4,000 and in this account
aused many taxpayers 10 withhold there
approval or support. as the annual in
terest charge of not less than sl.JOo
would cause i material increase in our
city tax levy. Of course the rentals
might he figured on as reaching or ex-
ceeding the interest and leaving the city
its occupancy free. but while this is an
alluring prospect. it is probably not q
Safe n to figure on. To the latter
proposition of expanding from 5000 To
$500 we do mol Think this objection
IA he raised. as the annual interest
would not exceed $40. which Is less than
The city is now paying for rented prem
Uses. consequently on a basis Of present
expenditure for Accommodations no addi-
tional levy would be necessary 10 meet
the interest. the money now paid for
nnts being diverted To that purpose
The idea Is Of course. 10 submit to the
voters the proposition IF bonding the
city to the extent Of $500 or iesg.forthc
purpose of erecting d public building
Ihese bonds. To run twenty years with
the privilege or redemption in ten years.
carrying six per cent. interest. il is
believe can be placed at par without
difficulty. The purchase IF a site would
of course be an item Of expenditure 10
come out Of the proceeds Of the bonds,
but If il not necessary that d lot on
Main street be purchased. and where
ever located, at the present price 81 real
estate here. the purchase cannot fail -
be a good investment.
While this plan ignores the equally
urgent necessity Of providing d public
auditorium or opera house, We have not
lost sight Of this matter and beg " sug
gest to those who feel this need more
than the lack of a city building. that q
frame building can he made to answer
eur purpose for a few years. and that
09ch a building can be put ny and
equipped for a nominal sum--say from
425O0 to $500. A much more cosy
and desirable place than the Old rink
GOULD be put up at an expense sone-
where between these limits. and ar NJ
GO along yer. well with the rink for .
number VI years, there seeme to he no
goo reason why a undermined repro
ductiOp Vi II would not do us DoR. Ar
. private enterprise. ~ believe ii would
pa. a lar ipteres ~ tie investment
X 20 .age tie business ~ hs oBn
A,or, tBen ~ m1st eEGeaFsf T. accom-