Fergus County argus. [volume] (Lewistown, Mont.) 1886-1946, 1906-03-30
IEWIsTOWN. MONT. March 80. 1906
THE BONDING QUESTION,

Ii is a matter for regret that the
objections to bonding the city in the
sum OF $50. 900 for the purpose of Sc
curing the gravity system was not
raised before the city council took ac
tiOn in the matter. which was based
largely on the apparent approval OF
the taxpayers of the city, The senti-
ment seeming to be unanimous in ia
Fcl1ng the project. one or two of the
alae rmen now assert that they were
governed in their action by the inter-
views contained in the Argus. Mat
1ers of such Importance, involving
bonding and taxation should be Civ
@r careful consideration from every
standpoint. No one should have IAN
AK 10 grind" or personal interests to
consult when the present and future
we lfare of the city is the pre-eminent
object sought. We do not charge that
anyone is governed by such considera.
tens. We believe that every taxpay-
err wants TO do what he thinks is best
fol the city and will be so governed
at the polls.
But there is a wide difference OF
opinion on the merits of the question
al issue. Some hold that the present
water supply is impure and deleterious
10 health and that the present pump
ing plant will soon prove 10 be made
quate to supply the demand and that
greater power ami capacity will soon
be needed. Others meet this objection
hv asserting that the water is of an
excellent quality. that it has been
used for several years without any
complaint or signs of an epidemic
therefrom, that it is in a measure fill
1ered by percolating through the sand
and rock into the we'll from which it is
taken, thai it is cheaper to supply ad
Fluonal power than to change the sys
TEN to thai of gravity.
One thing is certain. every citizen
wants pure water and plenty of it
That alone would prove an important
factor in the city's growth. If the
present water supply is NOT pure and
wholesome il should be demonstrated
But if clean bill of health were found
would it be any guarantee against fll-
tire danger? Not unless the strictast
surveillance is used TO prevent CON
tamination.
One Of the serious objections to vot-
Ing the bonds at this time is that the
city would be tied up for some years
10 come owing to the TACT that it will
have reached the limit in which a
tended Indebtedness could be incurred
This might prove very serious check
III preventing additional school facil-
ties which will soon be badly needed.
While some are inclined to think
that Mr., Wasmansdorff has placed the
COST of the system at too low a fig
IRE, the fact that he is willing TO give
hond to perform the work and keep
it within the $4,000 limit should be
sufficient assurance that he has care
fully studied the cost including the
riGht of way and damages that would
have to be met
AS regards the present contract for
power. we have found on investiga-
ton that it does not expire until next
Year. and that under the terms of the
lease, the city has the privilege of ar
extension for another five years al
the same price. $4,000 per month.
Elsewhere in our columns will be
found a communication from Mr. Was
mansdorff, which should be given care
full thought, especially his reference
to the health and sanitary features in
vOlved in the controversy.
The Argus has endeavored to pre-
sent the merits of this question with