The copper country evening news. [volume] (Calumet, Mich.) 18??-1907, 1897-02-19


Hancock JUST now has two sensational
fights on hand, one between the medical
fraternity, or rather the health officers,
and the other bet ween, not the Plngree-
ties and the anti Pingreeites, but between
the Scotites and anti-Scotites, the differ
ence between the latter being the ques'
ton of municipal lighting. When lately in
Hancock the News endeavored to find
out how the question was viewed by the
business men. They are the men who
use the light and If the charges oil the
Peninsula Electric Light COZ pany were
exorbitant they would be most likely the
persons to kick, but from the informa-
ton obtained it would look as II they
were very leniently disposed towards
the company, who they said went in
when electrical lighting was in its in
fancy and invested their capital in the
business. that owing to the improve
ments in machinery the company had
been compelled to virtually renew its
plant more than once in order to keep up
with the procession and, consequently,
the expenses being 30 great, it was I'M
possible for the company (unless they
wished to go into missionary business
which, corporations having no souls, they
were not likely to do) to charge as low
rates as they would have wished. but as
the company, who have now got their
improved plant going, appear to be willing
to treat their patrons fairly by reducing
their rates, those whom we interviewed
appeared to think it would be very unfair
to those who had put their capital into
the lighting plant to do anything to-
ward throwing the plant on their hands,
particular as they only appeared desi-
rous OF obtaining a fair remuneratiye
rate OF interest on their capital.
The Scott faction is apparently headed
by two persons, ore OF whom, perhaps,
has some old score to settle, while an
other has some money to lend and an
pears to have such uubounded faith that
municipal lighting would be such grand
thing that he would gladly loan the vii
lage money to purchase the plant. BY
the way, il this lighting business would
pay such good interest, here Is chance
for this magnanimous citizen TO go into |
the lighting business for himself But, |
he is not so sure OF matters as |
he appears TO think he il, and conse- |
quently instead OF taking any risks him
sell he would prefer to have the village
take the risk and he would take the |
bonds OF the village, which would return
him smaller interest than he might
make by going into the business for hlm-
sell.
The proposed knocking out OF CON-
paDy, the stock in which is owned by our
own people, would, If it went through,
be likely to stop people from advancing
money to, make any other new improve
ments and prevent our villages from
keeping up with the times
The NEWS does not see how the mailer
? 'operty holders and taxpayers generally
would be benefited by this municipal
lighting, now those who use 10 pay for il.
Il Mr.. Scott does not use the light he will
lot have to pay for it, tut il the munich
'ality runs the lighting, the pay for it
will come out Of the taxes which many
Door men will have to pay their share
or those who do and for Mr.. Scott who
would no doubt then take II. The
'cotites claim that il the village run the
lghting the incandescents will be 80
heap that they will take the place OF Oil
That might be so il every house used
hem, but this would not be done as pro-
'ably, but few owners OF smaller houses
would go to the expense of wiring their
'ouses particularly il they were occupied
~ tenants.