The Anaconda standard. [volume] (Anaconda, Mont.) 1889-1970, 1895-03-28
HEAVY DEBT
And She Can't Resist the Temptation
10 Increase II.
ISSUES OF THE ELECTION
Reformer Jockey Out For Mayor
a New Moses sadly Needed
to Reestablish the Clty's
Shaken Credit.
speclal Correspopdence Of the Standard.

Special Correspondence OF the Standard.
HELENA, March 1.-THE people of Hell
ena seem to be taking less interest than
usual in the annual spring election. Yes
terday the registration books of the IA
precincts were opened and although the
weather was perfect only 1852 voters
registered. This is 2s2 less than the first
days total registration before last years
city election. The Indifference of the
people this spring is somewhat remark
able because of the importance OF the
coming election. The people have before
them two serious matters which are to be
settled, one, by the vote of taxpayers
alone, and the other by voters generally.
The first of these Is the question of de-
claring the sewer Indebtedness OF $685.
outside the three per cent. limit allowed
by law. This tho taxpayers arc allowed
to do il they so elect, by special act of
the last Legislature. The measure has a
few friends and few enemies, but the
majority of those who may vote on il seem
Indifferent as to whether it passes or not.
The known enemies of the proposition
now seem to be in the majority over it's
known friends.
Helena has an assessed valuation of
$14,0OO,0O0 and the legal limit of debt is
therefore $4,000. Now this city's
actual indebtedness is largely in excess
of this amount. and being above the con-
stitutional limit is illegal. The friends
of the measure propose to take the sewer
Indebtedness outside the limit, which
would make both debts legal, and leave
10000 or moro that could still be in
Cured and yet be inside the limit. The
enemies of the proposition contend that
II the opportunity was presented the city
council to incur more Indebtedness, II
could not resist the temptation, but would
sooner or later, probably sooner, go to the
limit.
The other proposition is the matter of
bonding the city in order to call in and
pay some $500 200 outstanding warrants.
These warrants are drawing per cent.
interest and they could be funded, for
that is what it would amount 10, for about
3 per cent. This, it is argued, would
bring the warrants that might subse-
quently be issued nearly up TO par. The
city pays some Is per cent. higher prices
for everything il buys because of the dis
count on warrants. IL pays Is per cent.
higher price for everything with the ex-
ception of labor and for services of city
officials. Labor has to accept tho dis
count. If warrants would go to par a
great saving would be effected for the city.
The enemies of the proposition say that
with proper economy the outstanding war
rants may be paid in few years, while
bonds would run for from six to 20 years,
which with even a lower rate of interest
would in the end amount to much more
than would the warrant indebtedness. To
this it is said that If the city could by
economy save enough TO pay these war
rants, it could with better propriety pay
sl,r.s L..
able.
These matters which concern the city's
finances are serious ones and help make
the political situation in Helena a most
peculiar one at the present time. There
are no lack of parties, but there does
seem to be no eager desire among the
prominent men of the two old parties to
run for mayor this year. Tho populsts
have already put ticket in the field.
Their candidate for mayer, G.. o. Reed, on
being nominated came out square toed
against the water company and for re-
duction in the expenses of municipal
government. This maks him solid with
many people who on principle believe in
kicking at the Consolidated Water com.
paDy and turning the rascals out"
The republicans are at n loss to know
what TO do. They know there is a general
feeling of dissatisfaction against the
present administration, a feeling brought
about TO some degree by the republican
press of Helena. The delegates TO to-
morrow's convention meet in caucus to-
night TO debate the situation. II is believed
they will choose some one, a Moses, whom
they hope will lead them out of the wilder
ness. This Moses will probably be n
Joseph whose other name Is Woolmau.