The Bismarck tribune. [volume] (Bismarck, N.D.) 1916-current, 1930-03-20
"A Vote That indicates Good Judgment

"A Vote That, Vindicates Good Judgment
Burleigh county can shake hands with itself on the
outcome of the referendum for a new courthouse. The
returns, while not complete last evening, left no doubt
then, after a day of eager scanning Of the dribble Of
figures from the county, that the proposed bond issue
of $3.50 900 for the new county building and q new jail
had been ratified. This is good news.
The vote required to assure a victory for the propon-
ents of the proposed new building was 60 per cent of the
ballots cast. A ratio Of IS per cent was indicated by the
totals computed Wednesday. The vote on the new jail
will fall a bit below this percentage, but still will ex-
coed the required 60 per cent.
So Bismarck and Burleigh county may look forward
to a splendid new building soon, with modern plumbing
and heating. lighting and ventilation, fireproof filing
both in cabinets and walls and with roomier accommo-
dations for court and county officials. The old structure
which has grown ~slatternly in its years Of service Will
be replaced by a structure of dignity and grace. City
and county will move forward In the path Of civic pro-
gress as are other cities and counties of the state with
out the distinction of being the state capital. This is
some achievement in the awakening vision OF the city
for an expanded future to be reflected in the COM
munity structure soon to go up. a new courthouse and
then a new capitol.
Credit for Tuesdays success must, first Of all, 60 to the
board Of county commissioners. They discharged their
duty to the taxpayers with intelligent fidelity and judg-
ment when they proposed the new building and then laid
the plans Tor SUBMISSION OF the eNLNe proposal o LHc
electorate. They gagged the public pulse correctly. The
county wanted all that was implied in the plan-an at
tractive county edifice. safety for the priceless public
records that must be housed In it and which were liable
to 60 up in smoke and ashes any unlucky day. q county
building Of adequate roominess for the public business
to be transacted there and decent quarters for the court,
something that would not leave Burleigh county out
saone by the pretentious public buildings Of minor coun-
ties of the state.
Then the public committee set up by the Association
of Commerce and the service clubs is due for comnenda-
ton over their share OF the drive and the victory. But
this committee would have been unable to exert the
push which it did had it not been SO generously sup
ported by the business community in Endorsement and
In cash contributions to meet the expenses Of publicity.
The city electorate also deserves a pat on the back
for rolling up the fine vote of 1903 for to 297 against.
And as for those communities which failed to support
the project there can be no harsh feeling. They ex-
pressed their best judgment, and, now that the proposal
has carried they will by the will Of the majority be
placed soldly behind the improvement and will share
the cost Of it along with its supporters.
In time all will see that the verdict of the taxpayers,
Tuesday, was for the best interests of the county and
for all its citizens. and ultimately there will remain no
building made possible.
I It now remains for the board Of county commission
krs to proceed in the same intelligent and loyal way to
the erection of the structure. Fastening by every day
possible the time when the county can know that it has
passed from the menace of fire in its records to absolute
safety for them.