Semi-weekly herald., 1908-10-22

future, were getting together and
studying conditions7 Is II not time
partisanship was cast aside and our
own interests considered instead OF the
welfare OF some political charlatan
whose mission In life Is to mislead in
order to perpetuate himself in office?
The Herald considers the election in
La Plata county as Of vital importance
as the election of the president OF the
United States. The election of presi.
dent affects the people as whole.
The election OF certain men in La
Plata county affects our own imms.
diate people.
La Plata county Is blessed with nat
ural resources that should attract ev-
cry class Of citizens and especially
men with money seeking Investments.
But what have we In way OF industrial
enterprises except the American Smelt.
ing and Refining company plant? We
have unlimited coal deposits and ev-
erything that should induce manufac-
turing enterprises OF one sort and an
other. But 1t is impossible to secure
monied men to take hold OF any prof.
ect while all around US great progress
is going on. Is 1t not time those In
terested in the welfare of Durango
and La Plata county were getting to
gether and ascertaining the cause of
this neglect? Without regard to state
or national politics the people should
stop and consider local interests. The
Herald does not ask the business In
terests, the farmers or the property
holder to even mention state or ma
tional affairs. But let us dig deep
and ascertain why It is that capital
is giving our county the go by.
1t Is positive fact that capital will
not come to La Plata county under
present conditions. No use Of denying
this. boost as much as we choose. The
first question capital asks is protec-
ton. II not furnished It goes else
where and our resources remain latent
Why is 1t capital win not come to
this county, Simply because we have
politicians who are upheld in seeking
office and have been elected on the
ground that they favored taxing indus
trial enterprises out Of sight. For the
past eight or ten years the fight OF
these politicians has been against the
local smelter. For political purposes
the Democratic assessor has placed
an unjust valuation on the smelling
plant and because Republican board
Of county commissioners had the de.
cecncy. to eQualize the assessment
along the lines at which similar plants
are assessed. the assessor and those
nominated with him for office every
two years try to make It appear to
the farmer and small property owner
that they are Disseminated against
To listen to these men one would sup
pose the smelling plant was a hoodoo
to Durango and the county and that
the best thing that could happen to
this locality would be to have 1t pull
up stakes and go to Grand Junction
or some other seaport. And while
these Democratic politicians-for Of
fice only-are trying to run out the
smelter. along come men with money
to invest. They investigate and find
out about the unjust discrimination
against capital by this combination Of
hungry office seekers and they give US
the go by. Why7 Because Grand juno.
ton. Montrose and every other pro-
gressive town in the state are hold
ing out welcome hand-even bonus.
es II Grand Junction could secure
the transfer of the Durango plant 1t
would guarantee a rebate Of taxes for
the next flve years-yes. ten years.
Grand Junction is forging to the front.
Why7 Because you do not see the
Grand Junction papers filled with We
nom against the sugar beet factory or
the farmers who sign up to grow beets. |
Hunt the files Of the papers In the
towns where smelling plants are To-
>oeSu anu hOt q Wutu dkdiubt tu0u1 |
or the assessments which are based on |
value of construction, the same ss
other improvements upon realty.
The other night at bayfield, Tom
Tovrea, and he is doing the same kind |
Of campaigning all over the county
plead for the votes OF farmers and |
on the grodhd that he
would not reduce the assessment
against the smelter no matter how
high It might be placed by Mr.. Cos.
on should he be elected. Mr.. Coston
s going over the county talking the
anne thing-that the smelter Is escap
ng Its Just share of taxation because
4 Republican board and is trying
o. make the farmers. especially, be.
eve they are imposed on. Now let
. say TO the farmers and every 10.
erssfsd citizen Of La Plata county
VT The. Herald ;. wants the smelter /
sssssed right ssp TO the handle. 1t I
,0uld BE- made to pay every dollar {
ut q right. but beyond this lot ho
An 20. Unless our people gst over I
u antagunlstte splrit towards CO.