Payette enterprise. (Payette, Canyon Co., Idaho) 1909-1935, 1911-03-16
STATEMENT TO
THE PUBLIC

In view OF the unBarranted pub
Jc criticism which | have received in
connection with my attitude toward
senate Bill NO. 1zl. which criticisms
Eaye arisen largely from the false
accusations made By the Payette
independent, accusing me Of base,
personal and mercenary motives in
lhis attitude. in order to protest my
self from the payment Of city tax
es on 125a acre tract OF land
which / own, which would be affect
ed by the operation of this bill; and
ia view OF the fact that the provi-
sions Of this bill have been 50 wide
y perverted and my attitude to-
ward the same so grossly misrepre-
sented, desire TO say Just few
xords to state the facts as they are
ii reference thereto.
This bill provides that city OF
5ur size can expand to an area Of
Ibout $50 acres, probably 400 acres
more than we now cover, by forct-
5ly taking in contiguous territory in
he nature OF farm lands. e-c., which
receive no benefits OF city water,
sewer. OF other public utilities and
.orce she owners OF such lands to
5ay city taxes accruing from bonds
and expenses from which they re-
-eive no benefits. placing them un-
Ter the restrictions of city ordi-
lances preventing them from keep
ng hogs, or allowing stock or pcul-
~ TO run at large. and thus work
ng many hardships and the burden
4 taxes on such owners without CIV
az anything in return, on lands
hat are at present valuable only
Or farming purposes The present
aw provides that as sooR as such
5wners plat their lands and cut
hem into tracts of acres or less
hat they may be taken into the
ity. In making these remarks.
ave no reference 10 myself as an
wner. The additional taxes which
would be compelled to pay by
ne operation of this bill in bringing
ny 12lz acres into the city, would
e so small in comparison TO my
.eguIar annual taxes. that it Is not
sorth mentioning. am now paying
early taxes on property within the
ity OF something over $500. The
.daitional taxes on this Iz1a acre
ract By virtue of being in the city
.ouId amount to about $40 per an
.um. Does it seem reasonable tina
or so small a sum as this that M
aotlyes in opposing this bill No IL
sould be personal and mercenary
5 it reasonable to suppose tha'
Governor HawIey, for the simple pur-
,ose OF saving a friend the paymens
( the small sum Of $40 annual tax
s. would veto a bill CT merit and
aat Is just in his Judgment Look
az at the matter from a mercenar1
nd personal view, would not M
axes on my property already in the
ity be lessened to greater ex-
ent BY the addition OF 800 acres tC
he city. than they would be in
reased BY the addito OF the 121-
cres which belong to me personal
y / can hardly think that ths
eople of Payette with whom
ave been associated for the pas
6 years can justly say that ther
ave ever been any such mercenar-
lotives behind any OF NY public act
r words
To eliminate all grounds for crit
ism as to personal motives in M
crions. wish TO say that shall
lady submit to an ordinance bv
- next city Council. whoever the.
ssy be. to annex this f21z acres 4
le city, which annexation viii COS
le only $40 per year. and win 10
-ork any hardships or injustice up
u the farmer adjacent to and near
he city. And trust that the goot
eople OF Payette in their inclination
, criticise our Honorable Governor
such inclinatiOns exist, viii cox
der the unreasona5lensss OF sue,
lotives as have been ascribed, aa
Ill also remember the kind aci
, our Governor in relation TO til
iatters pertaining to our SnakS
liver Bridge
". A. cOUGHANoUR.
room Factory for Payette-