The Anaconda standard. [volume] (Anaconda, Mont.) 1889-1970, 1897-03-26
It IS A GREAT LOAD
The Burden Of Taxation in the Burg
Is Almost Unbearab.e.
WANT TO DlSINCORPoRATE
Hopes Entertained OF Eiectlng Men
Who viii Economically Con-
duct City Affairs = snow
Crushes Granite Houses.
.eeial pIsnateh to Ih. st.ndard.

Special Dispatch TO Tho STANDARD.
Philipshurg March Gas election
day approaches many citizens are con-
sidering how 1t may he possible to re-
ducc the tax levy for the ensuing year.
philipshurg is a city Of the third class
and will I'm all probability remain In
that class. II viii make the compare
lively few taxpayers squirm 10 pay the
enormous levy necessary to maintain
ihc city and county governments ami
the already ovcrhurdened school dis
trict Many Of the citizens are serious.
ly considering the advisability Of dis
Incorporation as plan Of relief and
say that while they believe In the city
government and readily enough CON
cede that IL has heel "A good thing In
the past. they argue that In the present
stringent times the 5000 or $1,000 spent
for the purpose uf maintaining the To-
cal administration could he well enough
saved. There is hut little doubt that II
the question were left Ia the taxpayers
the city would he forthwith disincor-
poraIed. II appears. however. that the
codes do not provide for any such thing
ana II is therefore out of the question.
The codes do provide that In case an
Incorporated town has a population "
less than 500 II must he disincorporated,
hut rs this can never la the case here,
there would seem To- hp no way out uf
the present difficulty except To elect
economical men to office.
One of the queer things perpetrated
10y the present council recently was Ia
pass salary ordinance providing that
the aldermen shall receive 81 Tor each
meeting and the mayor 81 for the same
service This IL causing all sorts "t
comment AT present. as II Is the first
time In the history of the city that the
aldermen have ever demanded any pay
for their services.
The nominees at the coming election
will probably be asked to make a spc-
ciflC declaration az to how they stand
upon this proposition and Ia further de-
clare their Intentions az tu economy In
the other branches of the city govern
ment. Some Of the gentlemen who have
heretofore been leaders In the local po-
litical scraps say that they are now
prepared to lay down all other con-
siderations II they can only get such
men elected as will guarantee tn bring
the expenditures Of the city down to the
lowest possible sum The fact IL that
the taxpayers who have given the mat
ter some thought argue that the levy
lease. he 39is mills and perhaps more,
and with no relief In sight this excess
sive tax will soon become well nigh un-
bearablt.
II is hoped, however that this esti-
mate can De reduced somewhat II the
right spirit is evidenced and the differ
Cnt factions combine for the common
good This will probably he done, hut
IL II is not done there will he no trouble
about placing the blame where II he
longs. Another thing that Is bothering
the municipal mind To some extent Is
the sewer question. This proposition
continually arises and confronts the
people. and will of necessity come up
for final settlement some uf these days.
hut what win I've finally done about II
Is at present hard to surmise. The esli-
mated cost of new sewer is s20W~,
hut it is hardly likely that this sum
would be sufficient for the purpose. and
the old one must soon he repaired or
II will cave i'm. Men who pretend TO
know say that the old one Is very dn-
healthful in its present condition and
besides that II is mile too short. II is
a question that will require careful con-
sideratiun and the best judgment of the
best men that can be nominated and
elected. Such men will he pushed to
the front, and in all probability elected
and the sunshine may again break
through the clouds which cover the city
AZ this time
The town NJ Granite Is In had way
on account of snow ON the roofs pf
buildings and fears ar" entertained that
many Of the large buildings will he
ruined To-day the old saloon building
of Con Peoples cavcd In, and some Jf
ia. al lfniuinp urUpprtN is su b.aNii "
laden with snow that men are shovel
ing it on, and the chances are that scv-
eral other buildings will be- demolished.
The Peoples building has n glass front
and IL Is estimated to be worth 5000 and
an effort will u. made tn save this, al
though 1t is rather dangerous under
taking,