The Ely miner. [volume] (Ely, Minn.) 1895-1986, 1899-03-29
THE BONDS.
Oonsider the Bonding Proposition Well
Before Casting Your Ballot.

A question of vital Importance to
be settled at Tuesdays polls will be
the matter of bonding the city in the
sum of $1,000 for the purpose OF erect
ing suitable building for city pur-
poses. The question is shall we ad-
vance and get in line with cities of
push and energy or shall we remain
in the same old happy-go-lucky rut
which characterlzes villages in their
infancy? This city is old enough,
rich enough aud large enough to do
something for itself What is 81, 000
or $40. 600 at four per cent to a place
like Ely-practically nothing.
While there is some opposition 10
the building the motives governing
the opposition we are at loss to IN
derstand. One has said "the old
place is good enough" Yes. So
were stone axes and wooden plows
good enough many years ago. but are
these implements in popular use
today.
The increased taxation is also
spoken Of. This subject needs just
little discussion. No difference in
the taxation need be felt. The bonds
can be paid in several amounts yearly
from the general fund without an
additional tax levy. Besides the IT.
regularities in the system of personal
property assessments if remedied
would alone pay the bonds. We have
reference 70 buildings on leased land
which are turned in as personal prop
erty at about one-eighth the actual
value and after 800 exemption
amounts to practically nothing. A
just and equitable valuation COM
pared with other real estate valua-
tions would pay the bonds alone.
The benefits to be derived by the
building would be manifold. In the
first place, there would be the appear
ance of the city; secondly, the advan-
tages of city Offices and vaults; thirdly
the greater efficiency OF the fire de-
partment by reason Of being in better
shape-their equipment in better
condition-to promptly render assist
ance in case OF call. The present
quarters of the department are prac-
tically worthless. No suitable place
is at hand to dry hose after wetting
and thus a considerable waste Of time
and money is going on. The present
quarters are inadequate to keep the
equipment in proper condition for
successful work and everyone with
half an eye can see that city built
of lumber needs all the best equip
ment for fighting fire it can possibly
secure.
The present city jail is a disgrace
to Ely. True, some say it is good
enough for those who 60 there. mo
business to get drunk, ETC." But
DRINKS will be had and people will go
to jail and the city is bound to pro-
tect them while there. Can you SEN
tence man and compel him to work
his fine under the ordinance govern
ing this and keep him in filthy,
unhealthy. fre-trap affair like our
city Jail. 1t is not always DRINKS,
but sometimes other unfortunate
human beings who go to Jail.
We need vaults. Should fire de-
stroy the present city hall it would
also destroy every record the city ever
had. Court records, city records OF
bills, and in fact everything. Will il
par TO let these things lay around as
they are? Build a vault some say.
A good vault i'm unsuitable quarters
costs twice as much as a vault in
place fitted for the same and then
what have you: simply a vault, be-
sides where would you build il?
Our young men are admonished TO