La Junta tribune., 1905-03-25
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issue oppeo<S m 1flcse 08n1o ~
my friend. E. w. Haskins. Eaq. So
that there may be no miaapprsAsa-
sion in the mind Of any person . -
the parties To this controveny. h
place Of e w. Haskins'' rod '-The
La Junta Electric Company" Il
u true that the clever brain e
Mr.. Haskins constructed the vs1l-
written article. but the inspire
ton" was furnished by the La Junta
Electric Company. - well - IL
funds that paid for its insertion in
the Tribune. Nor do ! eritieias,
either Mr.. Haskins for employing
his talents in this direction. nor IL
company for seeking his services in
this campaign. ! regard both =
leSitimately exercising the privileges
which both law and ethics accord
them.
The first objection urged to muni-
cipal ownership Of an electric light
and power plant is that the present
financial condition Of the city does
not justify it. Permit me. paren-
thethically. TO remark to you. Mr..
Reader and Taxpayer. that the
words present" and now" will
very often appear in the arguments
urged against municipal ownership.
1t will be admitted that in . few
years conditions will favor munich
pal ownership. but ''present" con-
ditions offer 50 many difficulties that
it now" seems inadvisable. In
deed. this is plank in the platform
Of one Of the municipal political
parties that seeks your suffrages.
Experience has taught you that this
is . cunning argument. 1t seeks the
vacillating and uncertain and plays
upon their fears. but the vacillating
and uncertain do not employ it - IN
argument; it is the strong minded
man who seeks an end. that uses it.
You will recall in this connection
what Patrick Henry said to those
who urged delay until the colonies
should become stronger. Thoss who
now fear the added burden Of
$50. 900 in proposed bonds len than
three years ago favored an addition
Of 500. 900 to the bonded debt Of
the city. Nor would that issue have
been Onerous had the plan been car
ried to successful fruition. The
city has not grown poorer. Upon
every hand is heard the hammer and
saw adding to its taxable value. The
bond issues simply reach out into
the future and compel those who
would reap the benefit to share the
burden.
1t is said that I'VE are already
provided with IN electric plant.
Are "we!" I'VE" came to this
place along during the years. and
built US homes. and inhabited. until
we number some four thousand
people. Our mere presence here
has made the privilege Of traversing
our streets and alleys with electric
wires valuable. For long term Of
years we have GIVEN this privilege
away. Now we seek simply to exer-
else this privilege ourselves Not
exclusively. but in common with the
company now exclusively enjoying
it. I'VE" realize that - the years
20 on and population increases this
privilege will constantly increase in
value. Common. horse sense. sug-
gests that the people enjoy the
wealth which they create.
II ID urged that &2O, 900 ID not
enough. Il will not be contended
that $2O. 900 is enough to build a
plant sufficient to supply the whole
city with light and power. Il it not
necenary to do 50. Il il neither
desired nor intended by sensible
people to run the present plant out
Of business. There are hundreds of
complete electric light plants all
over this great country. both pri-
vate and municipal. profitably and
suceessfully operated. that cost from
5000 to $4,000. It is proposed
with the 80. 900 which will be avail
able to build just . $4,000 plant.
h that proposition clear. and does it
appear sensible! 1t will be remem-
bered that the city plant will be
built in connection with the water
works pumping plant. that the same