The Ordway new era., 1908-03-20
Mass Meeting We'll Attended
c. B. WIGGlNS NOMINATED FOR
MAYOR.

Al mass convention held in the
opera House Wednesday night. the
Taxpayers Party nominated the tol.
lowing ticket:
For Mayor. c. Is. Virgins.
FOR Trustees, two years, c. S. Stein.
metz, Aaron Cook and q. S. Mitchell
For Trustee, one year, to Ill vacancy
l.. A. Henderson.
Ihe meeting was called to order by
central Committeeman Brepaman
on motion OF T. b. Downey, seconded
by Roscoe FairchiId, Mr.. Brenaman
was made permanent chairman. A. S.
TITUS was elected secretary.
The following resolutions were read
by NJ. +. Winfrce and unanimously
adopted b, the conventions:
'The Taxpayers party in mass con.
vention assembled do hereby re.af,Irm
our allegiance TO the principles Of good
government 10 municipal, cOuhty and
state Affairs, and believe in equal and
Just rights TO all mankind before the
law.
We recognize that all power Is lodg-
ed In the people, and that all govern
ments derive their just powers from
the consent OF the governed.
We also declare that "a public Office
Is public trust" and not, as in COM
mon nm rlonca -, prIy,,, s,,p ~ w.
therefore cond, mn the man or men
who accepts n private of1ice, and after
wards iD conducting the same subOr-
dinates the interests Of the public TO
the selfish interests OF the individual
holding the office.
We regret the course pursued by the
town officials during the past year,
which has caused the present eXor-
bitant rate OF taxation to be fastened
upon the people, believing that the
same will cause many property owners
To dispose OF their holdings and go
elsewhere, and have the effect to drive
investors and home-seekers to other
localities, and thus prevent the growth
OF our fair young town.
We disapprove OF the manner In
which the contract was let for the
construction OF the new water works
plant, In that IL was not properly ad
vertised, and for that reason the con
tract was not let on competitive bids.
but awarded at figure several thou
sand dollars In excess OF what IL
would have cost, had 1t been let to
the lowest and best bidder, and that
such increased cost Is now part OF
the burdens OF the taxpayers Of the
town, and unjust!y so.
We are unalterably opposed to the
levying Of the Hat tax OF two dollars
per lot for raising revenue for the
payment OF the expenses OF the water
system Of the town, aud believe II to
b. unjust, but We are In favor OF lay
log q tax for such purpose, cquitably,
upon all OF the town property, accord.
Ing TO its assessed valuation. We also
declare that II Is unjust and unfair to
place any assessment on the property
Of the town for such purpose, for the
year 1907, because the waterworks
were not completed until the latter
part OF said year, and practically no
benefits were or could be derived from
such water system, for that year, but
such taxes were arbitrarily assessed,
as we believe, In violation OF the sys
TEN Of taxation adopted In Colorado.
We are In favor OF Raising revenue
by taxation, sufficient to meet the
running expenses OF our municipality
when economically administered, but
condemn extravaganza Ia all It's forms
We favor as low rate Of taxation as
Is consistent with the requirements OF
the town and its progress and healthy
growth.
As the Taxpayers Party we demand
a reduced rate OF taxation 10 Ordway
and 10 Otero county, and shall use our
influence to bring about this most de-
sired end In the interest Of the whole
people.
We disapprove of the course OF the
town ofilclals In ignoring the petitions
of the taxpayers which have been filed
with them frcm time to time, and the
bad faith upon the part Of such officials
In repudlating the contracts which
had been made by former officials of
the town between companies and per-
sons who had entered into the same 10
uood faith and were carrying out the
provisions thereof.
We disclaim any responsibility or
ceusure for the inetiiciency and ar
bltrary conduct of the majority OF the
town officials, and place such RESPONSE