Vernon County censor. [volume] (Viroqua, Wis.) 1865-1955, 1922-03-29

ules are prepared, just the degree Of
reduction cannot be definitely stated,
but it will result in a further sub
stantial saving on light and probably
a much larger reduction on power
rates.
Thirdly, new contract has been en-
tered into on the street and white way
IL ring which vii make q wonderful
sGv}ng
And lastly, a reduced term contract
on pumping was signed, and the ex-
cess demand charge on pumping was
also removed
AlIiof these concess,ohs talser col-s
lectivSiy viii meas. a saving to light
and power users Of our city of prob
ably as high 81. $4,000 a year and
Tins at q time whbnsit was feared that
nothing could be accomplished We
will be lacking in Justice and fairness
III we fail to be grateful tc Mayor
Smith for this SAVING.
While on the subject. in view of The
approaching sprink electieE, at which
Mr. Smith will stand for election as
Mayor at the earnest solicitation Of
friends who recognize his peculiar At
ness TO discharge the duties of the
Office. We do not deem It improper to
tell the voters of the city Of Niroqua
some Of the things which 20 on be-
hind the scenes with which they are
seldom acquainted. Mr.. Smith Is a
man Of deeds rather than words and
feels that his jealous work for inter-
ests Of the city is the best answer to
the many thoughtless critics who rir-
cufate rumors which would prove run
true were they investigated even a
little.
Il is not generally known that for
several days high officials OF the light
company camped on Smiths trail us
ing every argument to persuads him
70 sign q contract for the pumping
which would have preeluded any pos
sibility of getting a lower rate on this,
and had IL been signed would have
cost Viroqua thousands .of dollars
more than it now will.
Very few people know that pre-
vious TO Mr.. Smiths selection as May
or, the city of Viroqua was not re-
|ceiving interest on daily balances on
its money deposited las does the coun-
ty). This item alone will amount to
upwards of 81, 900 per year, and we
have Mr.. Smiths keen business ability
to thank for 1t.
Only very few OF. our people know
that at the time of the bidding on the
pavement of West Decker Street, a
certain company among the bidders
tabout whom the cement people say
they will stop at nothing short of
murder TO get in their pavement1 did
everything in their power TO put their
pavement across, even to conducting
private booze party in the. hope Of
influence and then attempting to kill
the pavement proposition when they
found they could not gain their ends.
They didn't succeed, mainly because
ed or browbeaten. AS everyone in the
city Knows, Smith is not afraid Of all
hell, and no man has ever dared to
city business. The Office Of mayor re-
quires real fighter and keen-headed
business man-and Smith Is peculiar
ily qualified to fiji the position. The
thoughtful men Of our city recognize
this, and many who have had serious
differences with him in the past are
swinging into line behind him and sink
ing minor differences because they know
that in the larger things his devotion
to the city has probably never been
equaled When the city of Viroqua
can get man Of Smiths ability 70 de-
vote more than half Of his valuable
time to the conduct of his Office at the
princely salary Of 5000 per year, what
folly it would be for the voters to re-
ject him next tuesday,
Just word concerning city taxes
and improvements. It has become
quite the fashion along those who do
not investigate deeply, to lay t
Smiths door the whole burden Of city
taxes and expense Of improvements.
We ask such to kindly remember that
Mr.. Smith 3ias only held his Office for
about six months, and practically all
of the improvement movements which
have resulted in raising taxes were
voted and under way before he took
| his present position. If there Is any
blame attached to present conditions,
lay 30 per cent OF It to his predeces-
sors. And by predecessors, we mean
to 90 back not one year or two but
thirty or forty years. Had all the
city administrations over that period
exhibited the proper degree Of pro-
gressiveness. little Of all Of the inn
provments would have been done each
year, instead of it all coming at once.
And some Of the men who are now