Phillipsburg herald. [volume] (Phillipsburg, Kan.) 1882-1905, 1894-04-12

dlIouuJ PiONuSNo
amount invested. Then it is estimat-
ed that $4,000 will yet be collected on
the last half Of the 1898 taxes, which
amply and fully provides for all pos
slble expenses.
Now this does not make such an in
verted pyramid as the Dispatch
tried to show. Our readers will notice
the records do not go back of 1890,
and the balance given in April Of that
year was obtained by the expert &C
countant, w. II. Moore, who was en-
ployed at a cost Of $l,l00 to the
county, to go over what little records
could be found and open up q set Of
books on correct principles. Also
that the reliable figure veterans"
term of office came within that period
when the books were 80 incompletely
kept,
1t was not the purpose Of the HER
AID to call up these unpleasant men,
cries Of the sad condition Of the Coun-
ty during the palmiest days of re-
publican control, but the mlsstate-
ments of our friends compel us to do
80. 1t will be noticed from the figures
first quoted by the HERALD that the
levy for 1889 and 1891 was much low
or than the previous years. If, there
fore, 7 mills collected surplus so
rapidly, who can say what amounts
we're received and how they were dis
bursed previous to this time, when
the levy was s, 81 and 10 mills?
Now as to the rabld frothings of
the Dispatch toward the editors of
this paper we care not one fig. No
person who has read both papers will
hesitate to say which one has dealt
in facts and which one in abuse and
exaggeratlon. The readers of the
Dispatch will remember that In a
recent issue of that paper, under
flaming headlines, told of u Brick,
Tile and Pottery company that was
SAID to be reality, and would be at
work by April |. Later Developments
prove that misstatement was made.
Again IN the issue of March 20 it con-
tanned an article which loudly pro-
claimed abroad that arrangements
we're already made for an opera house
seating 600 people. That paper gave
it out as assured-in fact, the head
lines stated that the hall was actually
secured. The people over the dis
trict supposed it was true, but e. +.
Rorns who had charge of the sub
scription paper informs the HERALD
that the attempt did not succeed. Yet
again, IN his issue Of the same date,
our friend says that the city admins
tratlon had the plans about all per-
fected by which they will put our
water works on a paying basis, fur
nishing on abundance Of water and
getting it in time to grow our trees and
grass this year. Nothing has been
done, and IN justice to our city officers
it is but fair to say that nearly all of
them have stated to the HERALD that
no such promises have been
made; that while they desire very
much to increase the water supply
they do not as yet see their way clear
to proceed.
Still further, while protesting to
favor one of our local men for con-
gress, our friend worked hard, and
succeeded in bringing the republican
convention here, q fact, which his ex-
perience in politics ought to teach
him, is in the highest degree detri-
mental to the intrests of home can
didate. BY great promises Of what
Phillipsburg could do tor a conven-
ton, he induced that body to meet
here, without knowing anything of
what could be done toward providing
an ample and comfortable hall.
In short, the career of our contem-
porary in this city has been that of
boomer. The extravaganza statements
which 20 out through his paper, when
the people find them untrue, react on
our city and do it incalculable harm.
The statements of the Dispatch in
regard to this tax matter are no less
unreliable. They are the result Of
the same booming" instinct. The
idea is evidently to boom the republi-
can party, and the reaction which fol-
lows will undoubtedly be disastrous
to that organization.
But the most pngenerous, migrate
full as we'll as the most ridiculous at
tack Is made upon the county commits
sioners. They are charged with low
ering the rate for campaign capital!
Funny they kept silent for over two
years, and allowed the fact to remain
unknown until brought to light by an
accidental mention by our news
gatherer!
In recapitulation the situation Of
county is as follows: The commits.
sloners finding that a levy Of 7 mills
during 1890 and 1891 increased the
unused surplus from $4,000 to $14,-
600 and then to $4,000, thought best
to use the surplus rather than collect
so much more from the people. The
surplus on hand with what Is yet to
be collected will amply pay all ex-
penses for this year. The valuation
of this county is about $3, 900, 900; the
average annual expenses are about