The Dickinson press., 1916-10-28
why NEDORA SHOULD
RETAIN THE COUNTY
F.. SEAT OF BILLINGS
A PERSONAL LETTER
Mr. Voter and Taxpayer:

MI. VOCer ana
After giving the matter of the re-
moval of the county seat from Medora
to Fryburg some thought, I have
come to the conclusion that it would
in the way of higher taxes than the
beneficial results that might come
to pass would warrant.
Our court house, as it now stands,
is in better condition to take care of
our officers needs than ever before.
Our office rooms are roomy, we'll
heated, lighted and ventilated, and
we'll equipped with all the necessaries
to enable our officers to do their
work in the shortest possible time,
as nearly each office has a vault in
connection.
It has been said that a new court
house would cost from $4,000 up to
$4,000 according to the will Of the
voters.
Now, sit down, Mr.. Taxpayer, and
figure for a moment. We will take
for granted that they would build a
court house costing not less than
100000. The bonds that would
have to be issued in order to build
such a court house, on a twenty year
basis would mean a tax levy of
$1,500.O0 for a sinking fund each
year, and if these bonds were foated
at an interest rate of 6 per cent
there would be another levy of
81, 10000 for interest, or, in other
words, a sum greater than the prin-
cipal payment for interest alone.
Now this would mean a levy of $4,000
per year to take care Of this bonded
Indebtedness.
Of course you will say that the
interest on the sinking fund deposited
in our home banks would counter
balance the interest paid out, but
such is seldom the case, at least it
would under no circumstances make
up the loss, which will necessarily
follow in %disposing of the present
court house, as it is not arranged for
anything else but a court house.
Let the probable expense of a new
court house be 100000 then the
interest on this amount at 6 per cent
is $1,800.O0. The amount necessary
to make the annual payment on
bonds and interest will be 100000.
Now assume that the total valuation
of our county is $4,000, 00O.O 0 it
would require a tax levy of 1.65 mills
in addition to u other taxes. A
man would pay $3.50 more on a
100000 valuation. The interest on
this money paid for taxes, for the
period of twenty years, the usual
term of such bonds, computed an
nually at 10 per cent, the rate charged
by local banks, would amount to
$1,000. The 20 payments of $3.50
each would amount to $4,000 paid in
4o.,o, AI1~,x ILL., total ~ %Lo %opoo
and annual interest on same would
amount to $129.S0 in the 20 years, or
an average of $6.46 per year, not
years, notwithstanding the fact that
some of our taxpayers were told that
it would cost only about so cents
extra in taxes to move the county
seat. This latter statement cannot
be true, as the above figures show.
There has been nothing mentioned
in the above of the probable expense
of moving records and the many Incl
dentals that necessarily follow such a
move.
NOW, MR.. TAXPAYER, if we
must spend some money, if we must
bond the county, why not let it be
for roads, GOOD ROADS, which are
a benefit to every man, woman and
child in the county, instead of spend
ing our money in such a way that it
will not benefit the majority but only
a few people who live in or near the
proposed county seat?
Now, I ask YOU, MI. Taxpayer and
Voter, to use your own fair Judgment
in making a comparison of the above
additional expenses with whatever
benefits that may accrue by reason
of the removal Of the county seat
from Medora to Fryburg.
Respectfully yours,
JOHN TESTER,
Former County Treasurer of
Billings County.
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