Willmar tribune. [volume] (Willmar, Minn.) 1895-1931, 1898-04-12
From the Village Presidet1t.

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Editor of Wilmar Tribune: ....~.:
My attention has been called to the
fact that some people, who leap before
they look, are worried over the fnan-
cial condition of the village, and are.
trying to spread the impression abroad
that Wilimar is all out of joint. ! j..
How any sane man that can figure
two and two together can get the idea
that the village of Willmar is out of
joint financially, or otherwise, is what
puzzles me. To be sure we have about
$4,000 of floating Indebtedness, and
we had almost that one year ago al
though the financial statement of 1897
did not show it. We incurred this
debt in putting in the electric light
plant and digging the big wells during
1896 and 1897. And while some of our
citizens had some doubt at the time
the electric plant was being put in
whether it would be a paying invest
ment, time has happily proved such
fears to be groundless, and that the
plant properly run is a good invest
ment.
To be sure it is all wrong to carry
the debt incurred for building the cleo
trio light plant as floating indebted
ness and pay a high rate of interest.
But under our charter we cannot very
we'll fund it. But it must be funded
into as low rate of interest bearing
bonds as possible, even if we have to
incorporate under the general laws to
do this. For surely it would not be
fair to the patrons of the light plant
to charge rates so high as to make the
plant earn money enough to pay for
itself in a few years, even if such a
thing could be done, which, OF course,
it could not.
If we could dispose of $4,000 of 80
years bonds at per cent, which 1
think we can, then our annual interest
charge would be reduced about $500.
Then the electric light plant and water
works should run on their own &C.
counts separate from from all other
village affairs, and the light and water
rates should be adjusted SO as to op-
crate and maintain the plant, and pro-
vide sinking fund to pay the bonds
when due. I need hardly say that the
plant to be successful must be run on
business principles, just as if it was a
private business enterprise. That no
favoritism or jobbing can for a mo-
ment be tolerated under any pretense
whatsoever.
During the late election contest I
accidentally overheard one of our
county officials, who seemed to be
very interested in village politics,
fiercely denounce the late council for
going $4,000 in debt. I pitied the fell
low. He referred to the financial state
ment, but had of course never read it
understandingly. Well, for the infor-
nation of that ornament of the court
house I will mention few items con-
tracted by former council and left
for the late council to settle:
Robbins lawsuit, S $50 90
Well, 9O3 90
Wood bill, Virgins bill and
and other bills, FOG 90
Total, 1889 90
We bought transformerS and
volt meters, 511 90
Paid interest on floating debt, 1900 90
Settled for grading of school
hill required by school board 1900 90
Total, S477O 90
We bought lumber for eros
sings for 1904 80
Total, $5804 81
The balance of the $4,000 we went
in the hole with according to this
court house critic for whose conven-
fence we built both streets and side.
walks, undoubtedly went to the labor
ers of Willmar, and from them to
every store in town to make Willmar
live place, and I for my part do not
regret it. Every intelligent man that
have heard speaking about our street
work last summer have commended it
in every way. Willmar is now no
longer a small rustic village, but the
leading city west of Minneapolis, and
must make such substantial improve
ments as is fitting to our growth and
Importance. Look at the expensive
and substantial buildings going up all
over town adding thousands and thous-