Cameron County press. [volume] (Emporium, Cameron County, Pa.) 1866-1922, 1899-05-11
The Iron Works Question.

the welfare of our town and county at
heart and desire to see the valuable iron
plant and coal beds, SO many years lying
idle, resume operations, were astonished
when they read the article in last weeks
Independent. The editor of the Inde-
pendent, more than any other single tax
payer, stands in his own light. owning as
he does large amount of property. We
doubt whether the gentleman has stopped
long enough to reason with himself, be-
fore taking the stand in opposition to
exempting this property from taxation,
would be benefited more than he with
increased value of property? What
would aid the depressed condition of
business in Emporium more than the
resumption of the iron works and coal
mines what would furnish more en-
ployment to our laborers, and at good
wages what would inspire our people
more with bright hopes for the future ?
In word, with this industry in opera
ton again our town would take great
bound forward aud again put on that
healthy air OF prosperity we enjoyed
nine years ago when thousands Of dollars
were expended in our midst for labor and
team work, lumber, stone, etc, to say
nothing of the great increase IN popula-
ton-composed of class of men both
industrious and honest. We look back
to those days and remember well the
many excellent gentlemen then residents
of Emporium-some of them remaining
to-day in our midst and are quiet, peace
able and honorable citizens. Others
would gladly return to our pleasant
mountain city and it will not be long
until many of their smiling faces will
again be seen upon our streets, in our
stores and churches.
For the life of US we cannot reason
how the independent editor can place
himself in opposition to the almost
unanimous wish OF our citizens knowing
how vitally important it must be to him,
as well as other property owners. who
have seen nothing to mark the future
prosperity Of our town but the revival of
our industries. What will be the con-
dition of Emporium should this industry
be driven away, simply because they
ask that the same treatment be extended
them as that accorded to the old Cameron
Iron & Coal Co., in 1887, showing our
good will.
At meeting of the Borough Council
and School Board, held May 18th, 1899,
it was unanimously resolved to exempt
this property from taxation for term Of
ten years; (see the resolution published
in the Council proceedings). This action
OF the Councilmen and School Directors
meets with the hearty endorsement of
our citizens, in fact we offer to wager the
expenses of an election to prove that not
twenty-five voters within the corporate
limits of the borough are opposed to the
plan, and they from ideas Of proprioty
and prejudice or from fear of violating the
provisions of that twisted, bent and un-
recognizable document called COnsti-
tuition.
Unlike the Independent, we say come
on gentlemen. We will meet you in all
fairness and work together for the pros
perity and upbnilding Of Emporium. We
have exempted you from the payment Of
all Borough taxes; you will be
welcomed by our enterprising manufac-
turers, Messrs. G. B. Howard & Co.,
Emporium Milling Co., Elk Tanning
Co.,-all well established and prosperous
business men, making money, satisfied
with the treatment accorded them by our
people and willing, always, to contribute
literally to induce such industries to 10,
cate in our midst Yes, come along, We
will all greet you, including the editor OF
the Independent, who had the "dumps
last issue.