Fergus County argus. [volume] (Lewistown, Mont.) 1886-1946, 1901-09-25
CITY NOT IN DEBT.

Some things which are not so may be
found in the columns of our contempt
rary every week, but we hadquite over
looked an article headed Running the
City Into Debt" which appeared in
those columns two weeks since, until
called TO our attention.
OF three statements made the first
was that the tax levy made by the
council was three mills higher than
last year. So it is, and the Democrat
would have the conclusion drawn that
the burden upon the taxpayer would
this year be proportionately heavier.
As was stated in these columns at the
time of the levy, and as the editor of
the Democrat should know, If he does
not, the road tax levy Of two mills al
ways heretofore made by the county
commissioners and the revenue there
from turned into the town treasury
was this year made by the council, act
ing under a decision of the attorney
general. So far as those two mills are
concerned the county levy is that much
lighter and the town levy that much
heavier, which is simply a ease Of two
and two make four on the one hand,
while one and three also make four.
The other additional mill in the town
levy was voted last spring by the tax
payers for the purpose Of maintaining
a public library.
The second statcment-or misStatc-
mcnt-is that 1.-THE city's indebtedness
is gradually growing under the ARE of
the present board, who feed its hungry
jaws with everything it may see fit to
call for, etc" Two years ago at this
time the town had been under incorpo-
ration but a few weeks and no reven-
ucs of account had been collected or
expenditures made. One year ago
Oct. l.. l9O0-the amount OF registered
warrants unpaid was sii2.s3 and the
cash on hand was s53.5l, showing a
deficit of s.a.a2. Thc amount of reg
istcred and unpaid warrants on Sept.
q Of this year was S5oG. ~ and the cash
on hand was SG0s.l5. showing a surplus
of Sli.G6, Plainly speaking, the city
government is now SiOO.9s better off
than il was one year ago. And this is
doubly remarkable when it is consid-
cred that the authorities have caused
To be done a large amount of valuable
and expensive work on the streets and
the taxes for this year, though due, are
not yet paid. The statement of the
Democrat should have read 1.-The in
dcbtedness has gradually grown small
Ter until il has been entirely dissipat-
cd
The third misleading statement was
TO the effect that the expense of boule.
varding Third and Fifth was
To be added 10 the burden Of the tax.
payers, and this move was accounted
for by the fact that half the members
OF the board live on those avenues. The
grading of these avenues-a work which
incidentally it may he said we believe
TO be wise-waS not even suggested 10y
Il councilman, nor was it talked of in
the council meeting. The subject wa,
brought up by an outsider and in in.
formal discussion before the meeting
assembled Whether the city would
undertake the work was not passed
upon even in a preliminary way, but il
the work is done the consent of 30 pei
cent Of the abutting property holders
must first be secured.
liut what's the use; the Democrat
cares little for facts, and even less fol
them If they cannot be twisted to cas-
reflection upon Republican manage
mcnt.