The Fulton County news. [volume] (McConnellsburg, Pa.) 1899-current, 1917-03-22
TIE OTHER SIDE.
Answer Letter Of Burgess,
and Favors Borough Ownership
Of Light Plant.

DEAR EDIToR:-In last weeks
issue you published an open let
ter from L. w. Seylar, Burgess
of McConnellsburg, Pa, urging
the voters to defeat the proposed
bond issue to install an electric
light plant, to be owned and OPP
Grated by the Borough. Much
good can be accomplished by a
free, fair and open discussion of
these important questions, which
vitality affect the taxpayer and
the future progress of our town,
providing the discussion is not
misleading and intended to per-
pick the voter rather than en-
tighten him. To leave this letter
unanswered would, in my opin-
ion, be unpatriotic to the inter-
ests of the town and a repudia-
ton of a progressive Council.
The Burgess gives two reasons
why he thinks the proposition
should be defeated. First: be-
cause the contract entered into
by the town council is a Wiscon-
sin contract. His explanation of
this phase Of the contract is
wholly wrong and is intended to
mislead. Before entering into
the contract the town council had
a competent attorney to pass up
on all these questions and espec-
tally this one. Asthis objection by
the Burgess is a legal one, | shall
not attempt to discuss it as he
has done, but have satisfied my
self about this question by seek
ing advice from arelisble source.
I would suggest that every voter
who has read the objection of the
Burgess on this point, make an
effort to inquire about this be.
fore the election. | think the
Council will be glad to refer them
to some one who can explain the
matter.
The second objection by the
Burgess is entirely wrong and is
a misstatement of facts as can
be fully shown by reference to
the contract. The Burgess states
that the council has agreed to
pay to the Western Utilities Com
pany the sum of So. 1888. n to give
back to the Borough the franchise
that the council gave them for
nothing. We cannot believe the
Burgess would Intentionally make
a false statement of the facts,
but thefacts as he has stated
them are entirely wrong. The
council does not pay one cent to
get back the franchise which
they granted. The So, 1888. ID or
25 per cent. of the contract price
is payable when the voters ap.
prove the bond issue; then the
machinery will be shipped and
work begin. Of course, the
franchise will be turned back to
the Borough in order to make it
regular. If the Burgess wanted
to enlighten the voters, why die
he not call a meeting of the tax.
payers and have the facts pre-
sented and invite an open dis
cussion? The Burgess further
states that the council entered
into the contract without due
consideration, &c. | have more
confidence in our town council,
composed of seven representa-
tive men who were elected by
the voters of cConnellsburg to
manage the affairs of the Bor-
ough. Why elect a town council
if we do not have some confidence
in their business ability? / think
the Councilmen are to be CON-
mended for their progressive
movement and for giving the
voters a chance to fully investi-
gate and vote as they SCI proper,
and to say whether we shall own
our own utilities or whether they
shall be controlled by outside
capital, as in the case of the wa
ter plant. 1t seems to me this
nroposition should be viewed