The Penn's Grove record., 1894-03-02
THE BOROUGH auEsr,nn.

Since the powder, thoroughly meeting
in Odd Fellows Hall some time ACC,
much has been said for and against in
corporation and perhaps this question
is of greater Importance to the people
Of Penn's Grove than any they have
ever before been call upon TO decide.
In no town Of this size, in this State,
are the expenses of living any cheaper
than in u own village and 1 chal.
lenge any borough advocate TO show
proof to the contrary. Why then
should we as people Of moderate means
and like circumstances take upon our.
selves the responsibility Of greater
riskp
The borough people tell us, with ap.
parently great confldance, that hone
| but the best and most economic citi.
zens shall be elected as officers. Ad-
hitting that to be the case. for perhaps
a year, or two, but how long will our
best citizens serve In office without SAL
airy. Two business men Of Woodstown
have resigned from the council within
three weeks because the office was a
detriment to their business.
Just here let me say l think we have
two classes of people who cannot afford
to take this risk. One is the man whose
family lives in a rented house, and the
other, the MAI who by strictest eco
nomy, has been able to purchase a lot,
and by borrowing part Of the money
built himself a home with the hope of
some day being able to pay off the
mortgage.
Tue law Empowers the mayor and
council Of boroughs to levy a two per
cent. extra tax on all real estate in the
borough for borough purposes. All
over and above that amount must be
raised by vote of the real estate owners.
This money may be used for street
lighting, cleaning, sprinkling and vari-
Gus other ways as the judgement of the
mayor and council may think ct.
Let US next see how two per cent.
extra tax will effect the man struggling
to obtain a home for himself In after
| years. For want of sufficient money lie
cannot purchase n lot to build upon in
the central or business part Of the bor-
ough, but o. the other hand is obliged
to go near the outskirts where land is
cheaper. His house and lot complete
cost him say $500 with $500 mortgage
thereon, assessed two-thirds its value,
which is $1,000. Two per cent. means
an additional tax of 500. Add $40 for
interest on the mortgage, then add
school, county and State tax and insur-
ance and how long l ask, will any OF
our people thus situated be able to hold
their housesS What will it benefit the
man SO situated il we incorporate the
town, make 1t as is claimed, 50 much
more beautiful, IL only to have his
mortgage foreclosed and his property
sold.
Does it not also increase the expense
of the landlord2 which expense falls
upon, the tenant IN the end. 1t cannot
be possible that the majority Of the
people in this town fail to see this. In
creased taxes make increased difficulty
in borrowing money, and in no town
can money be obtained on easier terms
than here. Would 1t not be well then
to keep up our good name as borrowers?
Our friends, who favor the borough,
very frequently refer us to Woodstown.
Admitting that the tax in Woodstown
has not been above the average, (al-
though this year it is 15c on 500 in the
borough more than in the township
have they not many advantages over
us?
Calling attention of voters to the
$4,000 new street for the benefit OF a
hotel proprietor, and to build houses
and benefit others, with but little or no
benefit to the majority of our townspeo-
pie are not the same individuals that
projected that scheme, now foremost in
this new movement?
The powers Of the township commit
tee are equally as great as that Of Il bor-
ough council and what is to prevent us
having street lights and other improve
ment. All we have to do is ask for
them and the township helps pay for
them. Under incorporation the people
in the borough alone pay for them. Mt.
Holly, a city, Of over 5000 population,
is ruled by a township committe. 1t
has sewers, %pavements, electric lights,
police, a lookup and every improvement
any other city has, but not being incor-
porated does not run the risk of being
run in debt by borough or city council.
Borough advocates say the township
will not vote the improvements for our
town. There are about 435 voters in
the proposed borough limit and about
210 in the township. Can't 435 out
vote 210?
In conclusion let me ask why not
should VIC be contented to move along
in a careful manner, using our best
judgement for u greatest welfare.
We have nothing to gain and much to
run the risk Of loosing. What will 1t
profit onr people, il the alleged i'm.
provements only result in lapses of in
terest and higher rent ?
Can we afford to run this risk?