The copper era. (Clifton, Graham County, Ariz.) 1899-1911, 1910-09-16
TallyhO!


figured on that basis, including ex-
penditures for roads which money
would otherwise be paid to the county
and Clifton receive only it's prorata,
is 81. 10 per capita; that my neighbor
paid So toward the maintenance last
year while paid but S45; and that it
is costing us more than it ought to;
for all that, who is kicking? The
man who paid the smaller amount, to
be sure. The old saying is "It is
more gracious to give than to re-
ceiYe." 1t may be true that our town
government is costing US more than
it ought, but I myself have not failed
to read the published reports, and
since my attention has been directed
in that channel, have tried to single
out a single account which might
have been left from the list without
detrIment, that was not a justifiable
expenditure, but have failed to do So;
although I do believe that there are
a few accounts which appear a triAe
high considering value add services
rendered. But since am not one of
government and am not in favor of
disihcOrportating am not going to
criticize either councilmen or mayor
who have volunteered their services
for SO good cause gratis flor which
we should all be thankfully but on the
contrary wish to briefly call attention
to few of the benefits derived from
these expenditures.
The largest item on the list is street
maintenance. Now rather than an
expense, it more than pays its way,
besides being benefit in the way of
furnishing employment to residents
of the town; to say nothing of much
better roads and keeping more money
at home. Our next is the health de-
partment, which, while appearing
rather high is but nominal when we
take into consideration the past
condition of our town with the pres
emit; also the sickness of the past as
compared to the small amount at
present. AS stated, it is more graci-
Gus to give than to receive. We
must not overlook the benefits con-
ferred upon the community in main
tenance of quarantine and prevention
of the spread of the contagious
diseases with which we have been
visited in the last year, thus render
ing assistance to many and saving
life by taking prompt measures in
the early stages of the epidemic and
also protecting some of our migrate
full citizens who believe money to be
of more value than human life. Our.
police department appearing next on
the list. only falls short about 5000 of
being self-supporting, beside furnish
ing much beneficiary labor which
otherwise no doubt we would be IN
able to utilize, and instead of paying
it's way would be a source of more ex-
pense to the taxpayers. Town
marshal is another item enumerated
among the bills, and is one of the &C
counts which I regard as most i'm
portart on the list, for we all love
law and order. This department, like
the rest, when handled to an advan-
tage is not only comforting benefits
(Which 1 will admitmight be. increased
if more time were spent enforcing
the dog license Ordinance) but also
has a "take-back along with the
i
are inseparable.
Thus if space and time permitted I
could go all the way down the list
enumerating the benefits received,
but it will not, so 1 have here cited
only a few of the benefits of incor-
poration, which we must bear in mind,
has not really had time to adjust it.
self to the actual needs of the people.
For one year at the turn, 1 for my
part, think we are travelling in the
right direction and none too fast.
Returning for a moment to one item
occupation tax-which is levied for a
double purpose; Profession to business
men, also to aid town maintenance
This is a matter easily equalized,
although a comparison with other
towns in Arizona will result in Cliff
toms favor Along the line of water
and street lights, for one, believe
we are paying more than we should,
and perhaps another item or two
might be mentioned in salary &C
counts, but for all of that, it has to
be shown me wherein Incorporation
is not the best thing for tie tax
payers of Clifton. My idea is; think
of home, keep your money at home,
put your home town and people first
in your thoughts and boost first, last
and all the time for home improve
ments. 1t matters not if we do spend
a dollar or two extra if it is spent at
home; maybe a needy neighbor may
get hold of it, he IN turn spend it
with someone who owes us a debt or
a good will. To sum it all up, 1 feel
like the boy returning home from the
LARGE CITY: The little town of Tallyho