Burlington free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1827-1865, 1852-10-08
The Z ~ Charter.


Our readct., .i,d la. ~ -
Informed that Town Meeting III be h.,d III
the Town Room, on Thurs, e., IT oon, TO.
morrow,) to consider the question of applying
to the Legislature for an Act incorporating
Burlington as city. The question is one that
has awakened good deal Of attention among
our citizens, and been good deal debated
1t is likely, therefore, that there will be full
meeting, and that the action that may be taken
will be decisive
1t certainly will not be denied, in any quar-
ter that the time is very near if it be not all
ready arrived-when the safety. welfare pros
perity and progress of Burlington will abso,
lutely REQUIRE such charter In our Judy
ment, and in the Judgment of many older and
better citizens than we are, 1t is already high
time that decided steps were taken by Bur-
lington, city-ward. Indeed, we have heard no
objection to city charter, except from those
who can see no benefits likely to grow out of
1t to compensate for increased tarcs. If there
be no such benefits in anticipation, them in all
reason, let the thing drop. II the result Is to
be simply an increase of taxes, and nothing
else the movement is manlfestly an idle, nay,
an improper one. If better Police, rcspon-
slble, energetic, efficient, and vigiant Govern
ment, right in our midst, ana right in the midst
of the agencies and agents Of disorder, misrulc
and crime, that are al,cayS to be found in so
large village as Burlington especially when
1t is located with respect to Railroads and nav
igable waters. as Burlington is would not com
pensate for increased taxation, if increased
taxation should be required, then we are mis-
taken as to what things are Uorth pa,rng for
in this word. To al intelligent observer
whether citizen or a stranger, nothing is more
apparent than the want Of Municipal Gov
eminent, in and Of ourselves, created here and
responsible here, feeling with their constituen.
cy a common interest and common pride il
our beautiful village, (or CIty,) and engaged il
a common effort to promote It's growth anC
prosperity.
1t is no reply to say that our III eS will be in.
creased. There is no sense IN such a replv.-
1t Is neither philosophical nor logical nor is il
necessarily true There are many things tc
be estimated before you ascertain whether tax
es are in .Jact, or merely nominaiiB higher
The uaiue received or receivable, should be
taken into the account, when a fair estimate i.
made of the erPensireneSs Of a given project
It is quite easy to toresce a condition Of things
arising out Of a julicious city organization to
Burlington, that would readily reconcile tn,
closest s'ickler against taxation to II mrhc
rate. 1t Is quite easy to lmagIuc Mumclpu
Government for orr city thlt would prove in
calculably beneficial to the public prosperity
and the public prosperity is but the arg. eg ltiol
OF individual! prosperity.
1t really appears to US that the man wbc
maintains that we d. not need city charter
or rather cry gan.zation and police, mus
walk among the multiplied AMI multiplying
evidences to the contrary wi,l his eyes shut
! II We DO not need 1t now, when shall we nee
it; When abuses and uutragcs have becou
almost iDeradicnble by continued impunitv =
When benefits and advantages that such an OF
ganisa alton would secure to us shall have pass
ed beyond our reach Or when: We how
somebody will be prepared to tell US to-.aol
row.