The Idaho Republican., 1913-03-28

WdIcl W lluSu Iu6 Sdlue anu hS6p
, in a sanitary condition.
!, 1t is now more than forty year,
since this city has been recognized
as an important trade center, it ha
grown to be city of the second clas
with nearly 1000 people, and a TAX
ABLE property valuation of ONE
MILLION, EIGT HUNDRED THOU
SAND DOLLARS and has rate o.
taxation so high that 1t is simply
confiscatory.
1t is still without a foot of paved
streets, without an electric light
plant, without a water work system
of its own, and without any munich
pal Improvements such as are COM
mon to the modern city of this size
save it's sidewalks, for which
the abbutting property owners have
had to pay, and the defective sewer
age system mentioned, and the pile of
brick and mortar by courtesy termed
city hall.
Our sister city on the north,
twenty years younger has it's own
water works and electric light plant,
paved streets and many other mod
ern improvements. Another we'll
know city in the Southeastern part
of the state, and surrounded by not
SO great natural advantages and far
less resources within the past seven
years has grown from a sage brush
waste to beautiful modern city that
has made the name Of the state a
household word throughout the ma
tion.
WE CALL UPON THE PEOPLE
OF BLACKFOOT, who claim to be
just as intelligent, just as progress
i've as other people to arouse them
selves from this indifferent attitude
toward their own affairs, and the |
way in which they are being mis-
and the growth of the city |
retarded, and the value of property |
in the city destroyed by excessive
taxation, without any adequate re-
turn for the expenditures, and to
place competent business men in con-
troll of the city's business affairs.
Not by increasing the rate of tax
alton, for current expenses which is
now in excess Of the rate prevailing
in any other city of our size, in this
or any other state, nor by increas-
ing the bonded indebtedness which |
was swelled in two years to the enor
nous sum of $84,500, but by placing |
men in control who will bring to the |
of the city's affairs the
for private corporations, that are sue
cessful.
Without in any manner disparage-
ing the importance of schools,
churches and the work of all good
people for the moral uplift of the
people, we maintain that the matter
of conducting a municipal's business
Is not essentially different under the
present state OF our laws from run
ing any corporation, such as rail-
-oad, or a canal company
We maintain that a railroad,
canal company or any other grea
that Is successful, places
In charge live active energetic bust
ness men who have not quit active
business life for the quiet rest of the
retired gentlemen.
Successful business corporations,
10 not look for man to manage its
affairs because he has surrendered
business activities, nor by reason of
his being otherwise model citizen,
religious teacher, or having any other
quality, unless in addition thereto he
possesses good hard practical business
judgment and ability.
The law of this state mas taken
the question of dry town er a wet
town away from the people of the
cities and placed 1t with the entire
county, so that there is nothing of
that kind before the people, and 1t is
purely a matter of good business
for the city affairs.
AS the law is it would not be in the
power Of the people to change from