Rocky Ford enterprise., 1896-04-02
Broken Pledges.

One year ago the nominees ON the Git
ixens' ticket came before the voters Of
Rocky Ford with platform pledged to
"strict surveillance Of tho saloon" and to
aenforos the law in regard 10 drunkeness.
gambling and Sabbath observance" and
agreeing that, il elected, to vote at every
opportunity in support of this platform,
avoiding none Of its responsibilities and
dodging none Of its issues."
What did that platform mesnf Did it
not mean that the saloons were to be
closed mot front door shut and back
door open) from midnight Saturday 10
Monday morning; that there was to be
no gambling; that no minors were to be
allowed about the saloons; that no habit
ual drunkards were to hs allowed about
them?
We all know that they have each and
everyone been broken. Ask Mr.. Mayor,
who comes before us for reelection. II he
has done what he said he would do? Ask
him il there has not been gambling going
on; il the saloons have not sold whiskey
to habitual drunkards; II there have not
been men drunk ON our streets Sunday
after Sunday? He nor any man who
knows the actual facts can deny that this
has been the case.
We would ask where the surveillance
has come in? The responsibility has been
avoided, the issues have been lodged.
There arc some facts In regard to the
finances Of our city winch taxpayers will
do we'll to Oonsidef before voting to con-
r.. ,,-onnnk o1v psu&rak ksOv, IN nap
troll Of affairs.
On April l, 1896, after years business
done without the assistance Of license
money from the saloons, the amount oi
warrants outstanding were esq., 891-only
STAT more than shown by the statement
OF the previous year when the town was
helped out by license.
Warrants now outstanding amount "a
e977 San increase Of e78.
This would indicate that with propes
administration We could manage to got
along without this help.
The expenditures for 1894 were s2055.
.06 the expenditures for tho year ending
April l, '06 are over $500, or Sl,5Od
greater; quite an increase is il not In
municipal expense3 But there hnve been
some unusual expenses incurred the last
year which in Justice should be noted
Ihe arteSlRn Well piping ana connections
cost close to $500, an the 2-inch pipe line
on Swink Ave-, which tho town took of
the hands OF the people who put IL in,
cost about e4OO; 80 here are two items
out Of the ordinary run that make 5000.
The question remnins, did We got valuc
received for the remaining e60O, Of in.
creased cost over the preceding munic-
ipal yearf There i another phase "a
this question: In tho fall Of '9a when the
yearly tax levy was made, the council
figured on an amount which would run
The town without any help from the
saloons, and the levy made greater than
formerly. The money ON this levy came
In during the past year: and, a. tho
saloons were again put in operation, the
license money was also received; % thai
the license money was Just that much in
addition to the estimated revenue when
the appropriations for the year were
made. How II IL thon that in place Of
having unpaid warrants out 10 the
amount Of nearly 1000, tins extra rev.
enue did not put the town in any better
shape than it was one year agof
Arc the benefits apparent Of the license
sdministratioof