The Santiam news., April 28, 1911, Image 1

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<01 MY.
Ftpl es t$ Oppcneats si Ke« CHarler
To the Editor of the Santum News.
Dear Sir. — Being one of the "Pro-
motors and defi-miers" of the proposed
charter for lb« city of Scio, to lx' v««te«l
Ion May 1st, 1911, the writer feel* it a
! duty a* well as a privilege to present
! some reasons which he ho|a'S may tend
! to disabuse the minds of gome of our
I
MILL BURNED
the
r-Y
ÜBEGOX
One of the principal argument* u»««d
by the opponents of the new city char­
ter against it* adoption, is the claus«-
relating to the ap|K>intmcnt of a city
. ngineer. As this section. ■a well a«
ail other section* of the charter, must
lx« covetetl by ordinance pat»«-d by th«-
city council before It can lie mzaie «-ffi-ct
iv«-. titer«* will be no city tngimrvr fvr
some years to coma, or at least not
until one is nee«lc<|, which «Might not to
l«e before the town has rv*chc«i a |a>pu-
lation of 2<hM) or more inhabitants
When appointed the »alary is regulate«!
by the city council the same n> the
city marshals salary is regulated under
the pr««»cnt charter, If the opitonmts
of the new charter can find nothing
more important than the arbitrary
appointment of a city
engineer on
which to base their criticism, they are
itsiccd lacking for a pretense to bolster
up their cause, ami the same should be
accepted a* a mem bluff by those on
whom it is uaad as an excuse« for
L ook
Be'jrt You Ltjp Says W I Ewing
T. I. Dugger, Editor »antiam News
In «»ur me iitattxl action* a deceptive
termination may sometimes result. In
otir impulsive action* wo often make
mistakes, an«!almost without exception
display the true status of our di»|»oni-
lions, so then, if these he true the
has tv action of the city council, in pre­
paring for u» a new Charter, herakl*
the exact trend of the obj«>ct in view
by this movement by setting forth
therein what they ennaider approprate
to our wnh <«» I desir«« to investigate
some of the principal change» rna«lv in
this new Charter, and th«' motive there­
for, through your valuable paner, if not
deemed objectionable by you
lmm«-«!iate|y after the preliminaries
of the organization of the new Council,
on the 2nd «lay of January, a resolution
was introduced saying in part that
■'after careful examination an«l legal
advice I have found the present city
< barter of th«- city of Sgio defective in
Amither question which is coming in many particulars, and that therefore
for a large shar.' of criticism from th«« many of the ordinance« could not be
opposition, is the tax levy as provide«! enforcc«l” also **to provide in sni«l
in the new charter. The citv council, Charter an accurate description of the
under th«« new charter, is !imite«l to a city limit* a» they shall hereafter
10 mill levy, while under the old charter exist." Now herein we have the fa« t
the levy is H mills. The new charter set up, at the organisation meeting of
further t»rvvl<l«>s that an additional levy the new council, nn«l before any petition
may lie n ade, sufficient to pay inter««»! was presented, that our present Char­
on th«' boml«-«l in«!ebtediums. A* bonds ter is very detective, and then th«' fact
cannot tie tssu e «i I i< «I tl« ew charter Is intrtshiced to us that the new Char­
without the consent of a majority of ter shall contain an accural«« description
-I.
■
the voters of tl.- town, th.- n.libtil.nal . "f t 11. . . . , ' : '
misguided citizens n-lative to the pur­
pose and motive of these avowed «Its
turber* of the peace ami quiet of our
little municipality.
The basic cause of opposition to this
charter movement is taxation. Were it
The Jordan Flouring Mills were de- not for this very un|s>pular word "tax”
strayed by fire April 21, at 9:30 p. m. we would have progressive citizens
Mr Kimball, the proprietor, had shut where we now have nonprogressive
down the mill aliout o'clock and every ones. We would hav«- a furnac«' for
one in town was. it seemed, in bed heating our public school building where
asleep. Mrs. Kimball heard a tinkle of we now have none. We would have a
the phone and thought she saw peculiar 5 mill road tax where we now have a 3
lights, she arose and saw the top of the mill. We would have no opp >«ition to
mill on tire. About half of the Upper our new charter. In fact could we
part of the roof waa burning fiercely eliminate tax every thing would indeed
So rapidly it went that, in Un or fiteen be lovely.
But through all these year» of educa­
minutes more fire chunks were falling I
on the ground floor so fast no one would tional growth an«l progress, taxes have
enter.
Flour, feed and aotne toii- remained with us, and it is not likely
were in the mill; but only three or four that the opponents of the new citv
in changing,
men ami women had arrived, so very charter will succeed
materially,
the
natur.xl
•
it: •»
little was carried out. In leas than an
hour the mill waa burned down.
Very in this respect.
Every citizen owes the community in
soon after the outbreak, a hundred
neighbors cam«' to the rescu«' with wil­ which he lives, something in return for
ling hands to help, but could do nothing • what that community do««» for him
possible but save the county bridge, a| The unselfish man pays the debt willing­
wood covered structure only thirty-five ly. The selfish man pay It grudgingly.
feet away. That they «lid. by working In most all questions of public enter­ levy rest* entirely with the city ami exist. Now it is very evident ’hat on«'
heorically under disadvantages.
The prise, the former proposes, the latter not with the council. Umier the ok! of the principal objects Is to change the
great heart of thé people every where opposes.
charter the -ounci! may vote a debt of city limit*, for if w «• ar«' to lx- |>i< i u < d
Let us examine into the matter and t5<KM) on the city, without the consent against the danger of defects only in
can be depended upon. Had the bridge
went, several business buildings would see if the people residing within an of the voters. Umier the new charter the pres« nt city Charter? why Is it
have burneii also. Mr. Kimball's loss area of one mile square, should have a no debt can be incurred without th«' found necesaary to mention th«' limits
is $tklOO, about half covered by insur- I right to determine by majority vote consent ot a majority of the legal a* they shall hereafter exist? ami a*
ance. He thinks the fire originate«! by­ what taws shall regulate a i l govern voters of the town. Which, think you, there has been no petition placed be­
them. If a fire should break out among protects better th«« financial interest* fore the city council for a ehang«- in
friction in the elevator head.
.Mr Kimball can not say at pres, nt "
vuuld they of the city, the old or th«' now charter? th«' boundaries. It displays one of the
what he will do, but thinks he will make
protection from the city fir e
That the new charter opens the way real object* of the resolution to l>e the
an effort to rebuild, The writer has department? If so they are asking for a saloon in Scio, is another illustra­ extension of the city limits, and not to
uf | protection, in return for which they
heard nothing
but expressions
tion of the unfair mean* of the opposi­ remedy detects as we are advise«), and
sympathy and regret over the loss and i should be willing to share some of the tion to defeat the measure. The state the further motive can only l«e nirmned
. burdens that makes it possible to main-
of real desire to see the mill rebuilt.
law provides as to how sakxins may I m - ami determined by the powers mani­
■ tain a fire department.
established in the incorporated towns fested in the proposed new Charter
Do the people residing within the
In a former article« I *et forth my
•Ibanys Big Day Light Store announces I borders of the proposed new city of of Oregon. This law confines th«' saloon views towards th«' city limits without
question in cities, to th«' rule* and
‘ Scio consider their Ian 1« more valuabl
Sensational Chalenga Sale Opening
regulations of the focal option law. the expressed wish of the new territory,
than lands lying outside and bevond
which is. that th«- legal voters resiring an«l when no goo«l reason exist».««l for
Saturday April 2!
this area? If they do then they should
'inside the city limits must vote o,i the the forceful acquisition of the district,
Of their entire $£0.000.00 stock of be willing to contribute to the cause
question of having sal«x>ns. Shuul«! the as an unwarranted and unjust proceed­
Up to Date, spring and which makes that valuation greater.
N
majority favor saloons, the city council ing. and I have not been caused to
summer dry goods. millinery, shoes, '
Are the social,
social. moral, siuritual and
i* required to regulat«- them
The change my opinion in the matter.
ready to wear apparel and ready to use «xlucational pnvileg.-s lietter and more
The principal «-hanges made by the
regulation of sakxms. as provided in
Merchamlite. An event of vast and accessible within thi one mile Mjuare
the new charter, is the some in the ol«l new Charter are the city limits. Th«'
vital ini|M>rtance to every women ami than outside of it? If true, then the
charter except that the new charter council shall be c«>m|>uae«i of fi members
family in the Willamette valley. Right resident* with i that -■ .-tion should be
does not allow a sal<s>n within too feet instead of 7 with 3 retiring an«! 3
in the heart of the season when you required to share the burdens which
of th«- public schtsd building, whih- th«- «■lect««<| each year. The marshal! to In­
need a new spring suit. Coat, dress, hat. 1 make these convenience* possible,
elected by the council instead of by th«-
, old charter is silent on this point.
skirt, shoes, or muslin under wear, and ! The impression seems to prevail, that
That th« old city charter is inadequate people. The p«»w. ra of the Muvor are
which the weather demands you must all the residents, within this one mile
to the ne«xis of a modern municipality somewhat extende«!. Th«' city Treasur­
buy, we announce to you the choosing square, a* profaned by the new city
in many ways, is true as the following er is pls «• I on a salary. Th«« limit for
from the largest stock of dry goods and charter, do not have a right to vote at
the tax levy is changed from M to 10
will show:
ready to wear apparel for women misses the c«»ming election uni« «» they have
First. It d«M-s not provide any speci- I mills on tn«'«!o||ar for general purfMMies,
and children between Portland and Kan been a resilient of the old city of Scio
ami an a<iditional levy autfirient to pay
Francisco, at Challenge Sale Prices. ' at least 30 days. This is an error. The fic rule* for governing an ! regulating the interest accruing on the bontled
city
elections.
The sale continues for Twenty Days election to lie held on 'lay 1st. next,
in>l«'iit«xjnes», which can not be definite­
Second
It does not provide pro­
ami will be a most interesting event, as will be for the incorp«>ratiori of a new
ly determined, but if the bonded in­
tection
against
damage
suits
brought
every thing in this big store of high city, with its boundaries specifically
debtedness should I h ' only the H per
class quality, clean, new and right up described, and all those resid.ng within against th«' city fcr injuries from de­ centum of th«- assessed valuation, it
to the minute in style.
i those bourxiarics. have a right to vote fective sidewalks.
would tie about 5 mill» more, so the
Third.— It d«»es not provide against
$250 00 Shetland Pony buggy and on the new incorporation. If the new
jiosaibility would be close to 15 mills
harness given away to boys an girls city carries, then
it will
require exhorbitant interest on city bond*.
instead of M mills under our present
Fourth.
Itdoea
not
allow
its
citizens
under the age of twelve years.
90 days residence within the city limits
t'harver. The amount of general in­
C hamhkk * A Mcct'NK
to entitle one to vote, while un l.-r the a voice in opening ami grading street* debtedness is unlimited. N«>w to be
through
<>r
adjoining
their
respective
Albanys Iwading Clonk and Suit Store. ok! city of Scio,
«lavs re denre
frank w ith ourselves an«l our ncighliorv,
property.
•
-
only, is re«|Uir«xi.
if these «-hang««* cover the defects of
Fifth. It makes no provision where­
kew Hotel
The new charter is submitted to the
the old Charter, do you really consider
by a citizen may be paid damage*
Doctors Cole have leased the | »<*•*• *'<hin the boundaries name.1
that we are in much danger morally or
where a street is opened through his
hotel on the South Side and will be ‘herein, in accordance with, ami pur- property, by order of the city rouncil. financially from it* deficiencies?
____
, for business
next
Monday, suanl to, chapter 228, General Law* of
The must vital and the most danger­
ready
Sixth.— It proviiles no right of appeal
Everything in the way of furnishings is the State of Oregon. 1907. Th«- same
ous change, made by the new Charter,
from the municipal court to a higher
new—bolroom fixtures, carpets etc kind of election waa hek! ami carried
affecting the financial status, is the
court
elimination of the in<lebte«ine«» limit of
Most of the rooms have been repapered . successfully by ur ncigi.luring city of
Seventh
It proviile* no rules or
and everything is neat and clean
i. f-ebanon in’t fctol.er. 1907, it tieing the regulations a* to how to proceed to $6000.00; given to the council by the
j
first
town,
known
to
the
writer,
taking
present Charter an«i granting th«-
first-class cook will supply just such |
•‘mother”"umri’toprepare’and *»»"»<*«•
•»*
Th«< l’ar‘ comjiel the repairs of sidewalks, within authority to make debts to an unlimited
meals as '
it* limits.
«mount a* they may deem advisat le.
the charges will be in keeping with the i of our new charter relating to the term
Other pointe of weaknes* might be In my opinion our property should not
of
office
of
the
mayor,
the
term
of
times.
office and number of city councilmen, menti«in«n!. all of which are corrected be subject to the whims an<! fancies of
in the new charter.
any council consisting of 0 men without
In cases of rheumatism relief from as well as some other features, is an ,
exact
copy
of
Lebanon's
new
city
Amither
important
reason
why
we
an established I mi t to govern them in
pain makes sleep and rest possible.
Thia may be obtained by applying charter. The main body of the charter, shouki have a new charter is the fact contracting debt* for u*. Woukl we
< hamberlain'a Liniment. For «ale by aside from a few abbreviations and that in order to keep pace with, and turn our private property over to •'«
changes, waa taken from the charter conform to our state laws, it becomes men without provisos? if not why shoukl
all dealera.
(passed in l’JOfil of the city of St. necessary to change our city laws from we as a corporation «$<» s«i. and grant to
them the privilege of making debt*
Now is th« time to apray your fruit Johns, acknowledged one of the best time to time.
trees with lime and aulphur solution governed municipalities in this state.
Since the year !9t>5, practically all up<m our property for advertising, and
We handle the 1«) per cent, pure The writer is informed that Cottage the cities of the Willamette valley have the promotion of enterprises in which
they might be interested. Our prx sent
quality. For sale in quart, gallon or Grove will hold a like election on May
(Continued on pagi- 5)
council no doubt will lie careful about
barrel quantities at Wescly's Grocery. 1.
• » * »
I
MOHAIR BRINGS
THREE-BITS
Three Firms Were Represenlel By Ettfdtrs.
Bal Metzgar Was the Highisl
Bidi ar
On Tu«-» lay gfteri non of last week,
Scio * Mohair |«ool. com|>oacd of over
ficee«-», WM auctioned off by R.
"h«'lt> i, sa ho hu<l the pool in charge.
Repreaentatives of W. M. Brown A
Co., of "alvm, and A. J. Ray fi Sons
and Herman Metzgar, of I Port lami,
were rival bidders. The first bid waa
■'MJ cents
The average raise I in bids
was I cent ami the final and winning
bùi was 37J «'enta fier |M>und.
Herman
Mi tigar making the I id.
In. . -gi. gat. amoSnl of the product
will be about 15,i»xi noun«!« sial which
am-iunted to over $5,500.
Delivery
was Iliad. at W« «t Scio «esterday.
mt« mg unnecessaay debts for us but
iome future council might t>e very
liberal, and as we are making this
Charter for the future a* well as the
present the granting of thi i privilege
might peove disastrous t > u* when our
pr «pertv has to pay for th- extrava­
gance of some misguided council.
i '
il'Mtic.
a bruit for general
ind bta-dnei'» in the propo«.- I new Char-
ter •« enough to relegate it to oblivion
by any prop« rt. owner or tax payer, in
th«' city of >cio, who desires safety for
his present ami future interests. 'I he
constitution of the Stat«« of Oregon and
th«' regulations for th«- County recog
nice that a debt limit is absolutely
necessary for safety from unnecessary
Indebtedness xml eat il lish them ac­
cordingly in th«' respective sum* of
IMOtiO.OO and $6000.10. If there waa
no other objectionable feature in the
propo*« d Charter I would consider thi»
reason sufficient to condemn it, and
would vote against it. a* I do not desire
to subject my | roperty or my neighbors
to the erratic disposition of any •> men
without Isiund* for its protection from
a burdensome debt.
The limit for a bond«! indcbtcdneas
is M per centum of the a*se»a«xl valua­
tion until the enterprise for which the
bonds were issued pays from
its
revenues the interest on the bonded
debt th«' operating expenses and one
per centum for thr«>e years, at which
time it is not considered as a debt limit
for the contracting of another M per
centum, and as this is somewhat in­
definite, for a bond imlebteilneaa, when'
will we be when we finally conclude the
old < harter was good enough, and moat
generally it is bust to let gmxl enough
alone.
In a former article I mud«' the state-
ment that a 30-«lay «lualification was
necessary for a legal voter in the city
of Scio ami that the residents outside
uf our present boundaries are not en-
titl«d to vote at our election .May 1st as
thev arc not residing in the city limits,
for which I have been gain*aye«i, so
then if no <•!••< torsi qualilicatuin is
necessary all property owners especial­
ly ar«' entitleil tovote and all other who
wish nt thi« election.
If there is no qualification fora voter,
then our election is a faice, a« a time
limit i« an absolute requisite for an
••lector at any municipal election, and
as these are not within the corporate
mite ti ' . an n..> I.-galls . r.fIf I..,| *te
vote at this «-lection, but if these out­
side people meet and hold an election
for themselves and decide thereby to
ask us for citizenship then my objections
will be imm«-diately cancelle«!.
Our meditate«! a. lions, can readily be
determit • d to lie th«- enlarging of the
city boutidaio•«,
umier a dcccptiva
illusion of a Charter weakness. Our
impulsive a< lions in omitting a limit
for the imlcbt-wines*
against our
property betrays, to my mind, a »« ry
careless blunder or a disponition to open
the gateway for municipal extravagance
(Continued on page 5)
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