Fergus County argus. [volume] (Lewistown, Mont.) 1886-1946, 1898-02-16

The Tax Payers Retuped . Haiority Of Fifty
Six Against the lncorporation Of
LewlstoWn ut this Time.

FOR UNDERGRADUATE.
AGAINST INCORPORATION-5s.
MAJORITY AGAINST-5s.
The Incorporation of Lewistowu
in again defeated.
In April. 1896, the proposition was
defeated by a vote of 50 to 81, one
vote would have tied it and two
more in it's favor would have carried
the proposition. This year it is de-
feated by a much heavier majority,
nearly two to one and the result will
probably be the dropping of the
question for several years.
Two years ago many prominent
business men supported incorpora-
ton, several of whom worked hard
to have it carry. Since that time
while some who then opposed it
have changed their position, the
great majority of changes were the
other way and yesterday found
practically all the business men OPP
posing it. Among these were Jacob
Holzemer, Montana Hardware Co.,
Chas. Lehman & Co., Bank of Fergus
County. t. r. Carson, E. G.. Schneider,
Louis Landt, Gilkerson & Kearney,
besides numerous holders of city
property such as G. NJ. Stafford, w.
T. Mcfarland, Jos. Jackson, Phillip
and John Laux. There were Others
who while not working against it
did nothing in it's favor,such as WA.
Shaules. 1t is indeed difficult to a
who favored it's carrying, for the uf-
hrmative side was not prominent on
the streets. however, E. X. Cheadle,
+. E. Smith, Edmund Wright, w. ID
Deaton, w. f. Cort and Cyrus Stiles,
we believe, would be glad TO have the
people know they favored the incor-
poration of our town and the i'm
provements which such step would
enable us to accomplish.
The agitation o the re-submission
was largely brought about by the
forts of our contemporary, who, as
long ago as October of last year,
began publishing editorials ON the
subject, but of late their ardor has
been somewhat dampened and
yesterday found their influence, if
any they have, unavailable by those
who desired the proposition to carry.
The ARGUS had not taken a prom
inent part In the matter realizing
that, while favoring the proposition
personally, it was opposed by not
only their principal patrons but by
many friends who are not engaged in
business.
The sole argument advanced
against Incorporation was that OF
increased taxes. Last year property
holders in Lewistown paid a tax of
"A mills, 16h of which was for county
purposes, ~ for state and . mills the
special tar i'm this school district.
Realizing that the county and state
could hardly get along with a lower
levy and that our school expenses
were constantly increasing an addi-
ton to this amount of from 3 to 10
mills for town purposes, for such it
would have been had any improve
ments of consequence bee attempt
ed, was considered more than even
these prosperous times would war
rant. Two years ago the school
expenses were not nearly what they
were to-day, yet there does not ap-
pear to be any feasible way of reduc-
ing this expense and no one was heard
| 70 Srrnrnof an rrfat1,,ap ~ AIran
tional appropriations.
Further, business men not only
feared a heavy additional tax levy
but also the imposing of licenses
nearly equal to that now paid to
the county. Especially was this lat.
ter objection urged by the liquor
dealers.
While those who favored incorpor.
alton urged the necessity of cleanli.
ness and general improvement in the
town in order to encourage new res.
idents, the argument was met by
the opposition with the reply that
the state law was adequate for pro.
motion of cleanliness and that high
taxes would he more likely to deter
residents than would sidewalks and
clean alleys to encourage them.
Let us hope that when the subject
of incorporation is again broached
the parties responsible therefor will
have at least a considerable minority
of prominent business men and citi
zens committed to its favor, and
while Incorporation will befor,
many years be almost universally
demanded, let us wait until our as
sessed valuation is sufficient to war
rant radical improvements without
an unreasonable tax levy.
The judges of election were Davit
Hilger, q. j. Wiedeman, j.. w
Arthur, Z. g.. Schneider and C.. III
Williams, j. w. Gray and Edward
Brassey acting as clerks. The cleo
ton passed off without incident
neither side showing feeling, al
though interpretations defeat wa
generally admitted, even before tn
polls opened.
$500 Reward $500.
NJ Ahs. .,.n T..