Fergus County argus., 1906-03-27
THE PROPOSED
BOND ISSUE
Views Of Taxpayer on the Question
to be Decided at the Election
Monday.
REVIEW OF THE CONDITIONS
Is the Proposed Issue Necessary and
Advisable-Points to be Con.
sidered.

sidered.
With reference to the proposed
bend issue of $35,OOO.OO upon which
the people of Lewistown will be called
upon to vote at the election to be
held April End, would it not be we'll
for the voters to consider carefully
these two questions: Is 1t advisable?
Is it necessary? The state constitution
very wisely prohibits municipalities
from involving themselves in debt be-
yond limit Of three (3)per cent of
their assessed valuation and also very
wisely makes it possible for cities and
towns to exceed this limit for two pur.
poses only, one being for the purpose
OF securing a water supply, the 9TH
er for the purpose of providing sew
erage system, recognizing these two
necessities as justifying a debt that
would otherwise be inexeusabIe.
The city of Lewistown, taking ad.
vantage of these provisions of law, has
issued bonds in the sum of $50, O,OOO. 90
and has acquired both a water supply
and a sewerage system which, while
not all that could be desired, fairly
serve the necessities of the city and
in so doing, has already incurred a
debt that would not be justified for
any other purpose. Of course it would
be desirable to have a more extensive
sewerage system and unQuestionably,
water works plant with better wa
ter and gravity supply pipe leading
to the reservoir would be an advan-
tage but can the city afford it? Under
the conditions that obtain are these
things necessity at this time?
Under the proposed plan the same
water would be used-a hard lime
water-the source of which being the
Big Spring from which flows the wa
ter now obtained. If the water now
used is contaminated as it flows swift
ly down the mountain stream, there
are very stringent laws protecting the
stream against pollution and an ex-
ample made of one or two offenders
would quickly stop such offenses and
the cost of such action would be very
much less than one per cent of $685.
10000.
But is the water now used impure? !?
Has an analysis been made showing
the present water supply detrimental
to the health of the consumer? It
does not seem probable that water or
iginating in Spring creek, perhaps the
finest stream of swiftly moving wa
ter in Montana, taken from a we'll
hewn out of practically solid rock on
the banks of the stream, can be inn
pure, and whether it is or not can
very easily be determined and thus
avoid all speculation on this point.
Certainly, if the water is detrimen-
tai to health, the city would be justi-
fed in going to any expense within
it's possibilities to secure freedom from
a menace to the health of her citizens
but if the water is not impure, should
the city take on this additional burden
of debt? AS to the economy of the
gravity supply pipe, put in at cost
of $35,OOO.O0 land with the right OF
way and damages, how much more
remains to be SEEM the voter can de
termine readily: The interest on the
bonds would amount at five per cent
to $1,75O.OO per year: an annual main
tenance and depreciation charge would
certainly equal another five per cent
or 81, 1,750.00. making $3.500.00 per year
while the present system, charging
the cost of pumping with all the time
of one man say 100000 and allow
ing 100000 per year for the power
service (the cost of which is perhaps
even less) and another 5000 for main
tenance and depreciation of pump-iu
all, at the utmost, $2.4O0.0O per yeal
as against $3,5O0.O0; and the mans
salary is spent in Lewistown. while
the interest on the bonds will kiss
the little city goodbye forever.
Just what the impending railroad de
| velopment will result in, in respect te
Lewistown's growth can not be fore
told with certainty; it is confidently
expected that Lewistown will con,
tinue to grow and prosper and wher
IL has so increased that its assessed
valuation will permit Of such an ex
penditure without taking advantage
of the "extension Of debt" provision
that will be a good time to consider
bond issue that 10 not imperative a
this time.
When inclined to go in debt unneces
sarily, don't will be found one Of th'
best words in the English language
Recall the condition and the reputa
ton Of cities which have become en-
quilted in debt; is such condition
one that attracts the prospective in
vestor or homeseeker? Is not a ia.
OF $3.50 on the 100000 sufficien
to satisfy the men who own thei