Arizona republican., 1896-12-02
TOWN TALK FROM TEMPE.
Spicy Gossip of the City Under
 the Butte.
Something About Incorporation The Handsome Normal school Building Rural Delivery Sys- tenn Is a success.

TEMPE, Dec. 1.-(Special Cores pondence of the Republican.)-There is a well founded impression that when a town rises to the dignity of a city, elects borad of aldermen and mayor and assumes the metropolitan airs granted by a charter, that town is in line of progression. Whatever effect the assumption of city charter may have on other places it has not exact ly been a success in this city. We have been incorporated for three years now and the novelty seems to have worn off, as several people are in favor of disincorporating. Great things were predicted when the charter was granted but time has not developed any of the prospective improvements. A wise city council levied a merchants tax for the purpose of defraying the expenses of city government.
 In several months the revenue de- rived from this tax was ample to pay the salaries of the city clerk and mar shal and a small surplus was left for street improvements. Somehow the tax has dwindled, though be it said to the credit of the merchants they paid their taxes without grumbling, all though nothing much in the way of inn provements was accomplished. The merchants now claim that the ex- pense of maintaining the city govern ment should not devolve wholly on them and they recommend the levying of small property tax. They claim that as the property owner derives benefit from the improvements they should help stand the burden Every owner of a house or lot, they claim, should be taxed and in this way the city treasury would contain funds for other pur- poses than the salaries of the clerk and marshal. The matter will probab- ly be brought before the town council at the next meeting.
 The new Normal school building is a very imposing structure in it's un- completed state and there is grain of satisfaction in the knowledge that it will be completed some day, when it will be one of the handsomest build ings in the west. The present tax levy is sufficient only for the completion of the second story and the work will be rushed so that the rooms of the second story can be occupied by the first of February. One room in the basement, and the concrete flooring will be also completed. The plumbing for the en- tire building has been done and also the outside work in that line.
 It is reported that Peter Carpstein, m n nf hn I pany's yards in this city, will be trans ferred to Phoenix on the 2Oth instant to relieve J. B. Mullen, manager of the lumber yard in that city. Mr. Mullen will go to Los Angeles to accept the position of auditor of the company.
 Robert Greeves, the chin polisher, is contemplating adding another story to his building. There is no hotel here and there being a demand for suitable rooms he intends to convert the up per story into a lodging house.
 Postmaster Miller says that the rural mail delivery thus far is great sue cess and is appreciated by the farmers who do not always find it convenient to come to town after their mail.
 The stockholders of the Tempe Mesa Produce company will hold their an. nual meeting in this city next Satur. day for the purpose of electing officers for the ensuing year.
 Dr. Charles H. Jones' handsome stone structure in the Goldman addi tion is about completed and will sooI be ready for occupancy.
 Clyde Stewart is on the sick list.
 Powell and Dunn, the well know1 cattlemen, came in from the south o1 the morning train yesterday.
 There was a large attendance at tn, Tempe A. o. U. W. lodge last even ing. Grand Master Workman Pierre of Denver. who is making a tour o this Jurisdiction, was present and par ticipated in the ceremonies It wa the occasion of the annual election and the following officers were elected T. Dickinson, master workman; M Myers, foreman; H. Moore, overseer George Nichols, guide; R. R. Root financier; G. R. Finch, receiver; Henr, Gonzales, recorder; l. Nichols, insid watchman; B. Celaya, outside watch man; Dr. Scroggs and Dr. Jones, med ical examiners. After the business o the evening was transacted the orde went into social session and with
 banquet closed a delightful evening.
 Rev. F. M. Bovard, superintendent of the Arizona missions of the M. E church, arrived last night and vii spend few days in the city.
 Mrs. A. J. Hansen, who has beel seriously ill for some time, died yes terday at 2 a. m. The funeral ser vices were held at the family residenc near the Double Buttes at 3 p. m. Rev MT. Tomlinson conducted the services
 Dr. Peters came in yesterday fror his ranch on Salt river.
 A. M. Franklin and wife spent yes terdav in town viSitino her narants