Wilmette, Ill. 27 March 1894
F.H. Drury, Village Clerk
Village of Wilmette
Dear Sir,
Just prior to the last election held in this village, in your capacity as a private citizen, you issued a circular bearing on the subject of annexation.
Feeling interested in the matter, and desiring accurate and explicit information thereon, I would be much pleased if you would kindly advise me more particularly upon the following points, viz.:
1st Did you interview the officials of Evanston as to whether they would give us better fire or police protection, or not, in case of annexation. If not, on what do you base your opinion expressed in said circular?
2nd How many building permits had there been issued since the first of January 1894 and up to the date of your circular of February 24th 1894?
3rd. How are the figures made up, as to the $11.00 profit on each new house?
4th Who is the competent engineer, who gave you information as to the cost of maintaining our sewer and water systems?
5th Please give the items of expense on which your figures on incidental expenses ($800), and streets and alleys ($2,000.00) are based?
6th Please give the items included in total estimate of collections from office of Public Works ($1,650.00)
7th Also, items in the collections from office of Village Clerk ($200.00)
[p.2] 8th On what do you base your estimate as to receipts from District Road Tax of $1,200.00? Please give the name and address of your informant.
9th Please give the names of the "several members of the Board of Education" who advised you "that the present first year High School class will be carried along thus [thru?] a four course and that the end of three years will find us with a full High School Course, and that the legal limit will not be exceeded, nor will any extra taxation be laid upon the citizens"
10th Please give the name of the "competent authority" who "advises that we cannot legally send our children to Evanston High School without paying tuition."
11th In your statement, did you include the item of water tax to be paid to the city of Evanston. (Amounting as I am told, to fully $1,000.00 per year)?
12th Did you also include the item of specials 3,4 and 5 for sewer and water, on the Village Hall property, amounting in round numbers to $100.00 per year?
I shall advise our Annexation Club at its meeting tonight of the sending of these requests to your, expressing the hope for an early reply, promising to read your answer to the club at its meeting on Saturday evening of this week, should you be kind enough to forward it in time for such action.
Your official capacity, as Clerk of the Village, will enable you to answer many of these questions without reference to information outside of the records of the Village.
Very Truly Yours,
E. A. Burge
Chairman of the Executive Committee of the Annexation Club
