The Leon reporter. (Leon, Iowa) 1887-1930, 1901-06-06
A Reply to "a Kick cominu.,
EDITOR TnE LEON REpoKrrK.

EDITOR LIE LEON REPORTER:
In your paper of May 3Oth. there an.
pears an article entitled "a Kick Com
my, over the slgnagure of one who
signs his name as "Pubicoe. in which
ne assails The honor and integrity of
the municlp pal officers Of Leon. Now.
Mr. edltof, II your paper only circulated
IN the town of Leon, where the
people know all about the present and
past management of the electric Epht
plant, we would pass the article up as
being unworthy of notice but in view of
the tact that your paper circulates
throughout the county and state some
hlgnt get wrong Impression as to how
lnattefs are being conducted, by not
taxing INTO consideration that an in
alVlduai VINO writes an article charging
ilauo ana encouragement on the part
OF the municipal officers and signs fif-
ticlous name IS moral coward. I'M
worthy OF behef and has no standing in
the community where he resides.
lie alleges that certain we'll that
cost several hundred dollars has been
hlled up. While it is true there was a
deep we'll dug at the light house while
"Publlco" was in charge of the town
aHalrs, now much this well cost no one
knows as there IS no record showing
what 1T did cost, but there is one thing
sure it was an old dry hole walled IN
through a vein OF dry sand and had
been abandoned years ago as absolute
ly worthless, and was being used as a
dumping place for all the filth around
the plant and for this reason was filled
up, as we had other use for the ground
where the well stood.
He also says this we'll was filed with
good brick and tile This is an abso-
lutte talsehood, as there was not a sin.
gle good brick OF tile put in said we'll.
There is large cistern at the plant 20
feet across and 20 feet deep that holds
all the water that falls from the opera
house and other buildings that he
speaks of and when full will supply the
plant for month. Tue water from
the old brick mill has been used at the
plant for the last ten years and has
given good satisfaction. "'Publco' has
just discovered that the water at
the old brick mill is hard and unfit for
use and would be Injurious to the
boiler. Why did he not make this dis
coyery years ago when he was in charge
of the city affairs?
He also says in the same article the
town is paying $500 a month to one
man to run the plant and $500 to
another to assist him aud &I0.tH to
another who admits the nc aces not
know anythiug ABOUT s.ul4eity The
town pays 500 j, oN.h TO 2lmmer
man as electrician AND ~ % t3 &c Isyfsr~
as fireman ape J3 month ~ M
Slade as supefinteHds I Mr. Sladr IS
an experienced electrician, having spent
the last ten years in the employ of an
eastern firm in establishing light and
water plants at salary of $4,000 per
month, and on account of poor health
gave up his job and came west to spend
the summer with his father in.law, Mr..
Francis Narga, and look after his farm
in Eden township. He gives us all the
time required in experimenting the
plant, does this more as an accommo-
datlon than for the money he receives
until we can find competent electric
ian. He having knowledge of what
is required III the way of supplies and
water works is rendering the townval.
liable service. The total amount that
is paid out each month for the three
men is $50. 90, $1,000 a month less than
we have bean pawn for the last two
years Tor tie same Nofk.
Now, N $500 have said all
care TO s.; ssaas sect and more
fact Ssn, ii VI ID IN. JUST -
myself as We'll as the Town council %7F802
have SO faithfully assisted me in the
management of the affairs for which
they deserve credit and not condemna-
ton, especially when it comes from the
pen of one who was at the head of the
town officials at the time the people
voted for and turned over to them ten
thousand dollars worth of bonds out of
which to erect an electric plant. The
records show that the town paid
B,6l4.4S for the plant, engine and
boiler complete, where the other
Sc, 1886. IL went, he is better qualified to
say than anyone else. The treasurer's
report March, 1889, being at the end of
the first year after the plant was started
shows deficit of ST. ,Sl403 in outstand
ing warrants which was afterwards
placed in judgment and judgment tax
levied to pay the same. April, 1898,
being the time / came into Office as
Mayor of Leon, there was outstanding
warrants unpaid to the amount OF
So, O10 90 drawing six per cent interest,
and 81 10000 outstanding electric light
DOnQS GQaC drew SIX per cent interest,
all of which we refunded at four per
cent. To-day there is not an oustand-
ing warrant unpaid and since | have
been In Office there has not been
judgment rendered on any debt and
not cent of electric light tax levied
We have kept the plant on paying
basis and as soon as the ar
rangements are completed to get water,
we will begin paying of the debts made
by ssPublico" while he was in office.
Now, Mr.. Editor, if there is any
'kick coming" it is from the tax payers
and if it was placed where it justly be-
longs assure you that poor old pub
lico" would meet the same fate that
once befell BALKAN for not oheying or
ders MARION WooDARD.
It's Free if it Fails to Cure.