The Weiser signal. [volume] (Weiser, Idaho) 1890-1904, 1902-03-27
CITY ELECTION.

city election would be a matter of as
little or less consequence than circus
day or Fourth of July celebration
Just an incident out of the ordin-
airy hum drum of current atfairs-a
few dollars of public funds applied
to a special patronage of candidates
elect, or something of that sort, but
in no manner resulting in the adj
vancement of our municipal inter
ests-in fact tacit admission by all
that simply because God Almighty
had not made city here at the con-
fuence of the Snake and Weser,
with paved streets, sewer advant-
ages, lights and all the accessories
of metropolis, it must have
been foreordained that all these re-
qurements should never exist,
and that we must naturally remain
in our present passive condition, un-
til some special and provide tial act
should, in some miraculous manner,
Indicate that higher destiny was
possible, and the same be due some
what to our own efforts, and com
mon sense view of our own advant-
ages This has been the real cond-
ton of this town so long as the mem.
DRY of man runneth not to the con-
trary. If ever the divine suggestion
was in order to be considered, now
is the time, for the old time do
nothing methods to be. abandoned
forever Taxes have been contrib
uted and more or less money ex-
pended and about the only tangible
assets to vouch for the outlay is
toy fire apparatus and bell hung at
the apex of four posts, called bell
tower for convenience, and the whole
proposition about as effective in
event Of demand to put. out fire. as
Christian Science to prevent the
spread of small pox or any other
malignant disease; and money that
might have been applied to good
uses removed from the pockets of
the people to become, as far as pub
lie benefit is concerned, useless
bank asset, Why should this be so?
The city needs lights and our thor
oughfares are susceptible of improve
ment. But the past is painfully
familiar, and it is rather an unprofi-
table occupation to thresh old straw,
and TO avoid past errors and institute
new order of business is the de-
mand of the present. The result of
the coming city election is, therefore,
| of unusual mportance, and the ques-
ton of who shall serve us is ques
ton of moment, and not to be de-
cided by any sentimental influence
either, but on the broad basis OF
: which, and who, will most nearly
: meet the requirements that the ex
: igiences of the present demand.
good and sufficient revenue must bt
available, and in order to have this
a principle of equal taxation of al
!, property subject and all privilege,
! enjoyed, should be called upon tt
bear the just proportion of the bur
a den. Another vital principle in tn,
:, advancement of municipal affairs i,
r due consideration of the value Of
! public franchises. These are wortl
something or they would not b,
~ ! asked for, and therefore should b,
: right, be valued and assessed in th,
= same manner as any other property
and not given special privileges a
) the expense of the property holders
; The vacant and unimproved propert,
/ cs the city should be taxed in full
y Progressive citizens should not b
d made to pay fines tor improving an,
l. beautifying the city and thereby in
q creasing values generally. All stree
y improvements should be made afte
a a plan, made from proper survey
" and no material taken from or pu
a upon any street except by direction
of the proper officer and by permi
from the city council. To meet
present emergency and in view of tn
" fact that our city will soon be fillet
to an unusual extent with tbrons
of people of all classes, public
: safety and convenience demands tn,