Amador ledger., 1901-07-26


any misgivings as to the outcome.
INCORPORATION AGAIN.
Our contemporary is again agitat-
ing the question of incorporation.
He would like to hear from any per-
son having any solid reasons to urge
against Incorporating Jackson. We
have been laboring under the i'm
preston that good many reasons
of the most substantial character
were piled up against the PROPOSE
ton last March. Why try to
resurrect an issue that has been laid
in its grave so recently? Does he
imagine that an issue is never set
tied, not even through the. ballot
box, unless it is settled according to
his notions? Does he think that
the people are as changeable as the
wind; that those who voted against
it yesterday, would be likely to flop
and vote for it to-day. Was it not
discussed for months before sub
mission Was not the discussion
all one-sided? The united press, the
office holders, the church influence,
the floating population, without any
tangible interests at stake-all
working toward imposing upon
Jackson the costly machinery of
local government. And with all
this pull, the scheme miscarried;
after dipping into the county treas
ury to the tune of hundreds of dol
lars. What is the motive behind
this spirit of perpetual trifiing with
county funds. We fear there is a
good deal of insincerity in this re-
fusal to allow the dead to rest. The
potent factor in the defeat of the
plan four months ago, was the belief
that while many were no doubt
actuated by laudable motives, others
were pressing the fight for revenue
only" Now, this everlasting ding
dong about incorporation by our CO.
temporary does not come with good
grace. For him incorporation
would mean very small additional
outflow of coin in the shape of extra
taxation, with possibility of a con-
siderable inflow of revenue in the
shape of city printing. That seems
to be the real "nigger in the wood
pile. The talk about fever breed
ing smells, and that sort of thing, is
all moonshine compared with the
self-in terests involved.
Now we are free to admit, that
circumstances have materially
changed since the election was held;
that arguments at that time deemed
aH-powerful and conclusive agains t
the scheme, may not be applicable
now. A law passed by the last
legislature in relation to city and
county licenses and which is now be-
fore the supreme court for interpre-
tation-bids fair to change the whole
situation. The main argument
against incorporation before, was
that the burden would fall upon the
business interests by the imposition
of a city license, in addition to the
county license now charged. But
the supreme court has temporarily
held that county license cannot be
demanded within the limits of an in
corporated town, where the munich
pal authorities have imposed a IL
cense tax. If this view is finally
sustained, incorporation for Jackson
would not be so burdensome. With
the license collections and road taxes
now flowing into the county treas
ury, diverted into a, city fund, Jack
son might possibly maintain a local
government with little additional ex-
pense to the people. With proper
management some of the revenue
might be made available for street
and other improvements. Certainly
Jackson derives no benefit in this
direction now, Notwithstanding that
we contribute about one third of all
moneys raised for road purposes in
township one. This unjust and I'M
equal distribution of road money is
calling, and naturally leads citizens
to seek redress in Incorporation.
The action of the supreme court
in the case referred to, will be
watched with interest. Meantime,
the Incorporation advocates will do
well to possess their souls in
patience, and show some modesty
after their late repulse.