Herald of the times. [volume] (Newport, R.I.) 1849-1856, 1853-05-19
HERALD OF THE TIMES.
THURSDAY May 18th 1853.
C. As our readers are alread,

10 tne people ol tlls Town, fOr City
form ot government, al the late May
session OF the General Assembly. has
been rejected bya majority of 9l,-
something less Than halt the freenen
voting on the question. The subject
was very important one, and we cx-
pressed tie hope that all the irecinen
would ma'urely eonsldcr it, and that a
tull and general expression Of opinion
would be had thereon, through the bal
lot-box, which ever way the decision
might be. We know that many per-
sons voted against the Charter at this
time who have heretofore been in favor
Of this form OF government,-some of
whom were influenced by considera-
'ions which they deemed impoI tant, and
supposed that their rights and privileges
could be more securely protected and
guaranteed by our present form OF or
ganic being. In regard TO this matter
we have nothing to say, as it is fair
question for an honest difference OF
opinion. except that we do not agree
with them.
We most decidedly think that the
time has arrived when the tax x-paying
citizens should thoroughly investigate
their financial affairs, and learn IL, least
a little something i'll regard to the ex-
penditure of money, and the causes OF
the immense increase in taxation during
the last few years; and in order 10 aid
them in the accomplishment of this most
desirable object, we propose to invesi-
gate the matter as far as our time and
limits will allow, for few days.
In tho first place, the great difficult
~ in that no one takes sufficient inter-
est IN this matter TO examine the sub
ect thoroughly, so that any accurate
and reliable statistical result can be ar
rived at, although all will agree that
there is all alarmingly growing evil
somewhere which ought 10 be correct
ed, - and, acting upon Tie common
maxim that what is every ones business
is no ones, the matter is permitted to
remain in dormant state, from year
10 year, 80 far as investigation is con-
cerned, while the great evil is in n con-
stan,ly progl essive condition.
A majority OF those who vote, appear
10 be opposed to City form OF 90 ern-
ment, because they think that the ex
pense thereof will be very much more
chan that under which we are now living
and consequently that their taxes will
be greatly increased. This may be so,
although we are and always have been
OF different opinion we are satisfied
that under City form OF government
our expenses would be reduced, because
then the affairs OF the people would be
entrusted to n few men, who would feel
sheir responsibility and knowing that
the people would hold them accountable
for their conduct, especially in the ex-
pendi,ure Of money, they would act
with prudence and cau,ion,-an they
would be compelled annually TO exhib.
1t TO the ireemen full statistics OF all
their expenditures. Under eur present
form Of government, what do tie tax
payers know on this subject, and wha,
have they known, and what will they
ever know, unless there is some kind OF
change?
A few years ego, an effort was made
10 reform the Town government; bu,
what was the result Does any tax
payer know! Was our current expen-
ces reduced? Was any exhibit ever
made 10 the voters, showing that any
good had been accomplished by this
much-talked-oi reform Certainly
none, that we have ever heard of. In
two years the people became greatly
dissatisfied with the leading spirits OF
the Town Council which was then
elected, and they removed them from
office we say nothing now in regard
TO the justice oil that movement, because
1t is no, necessary in our argument;
but we simply cite it as very material
fact to show that no benefit resulted
drom what was pretended to be great
reform in the town government at that
time. And it shows that even these
gentlemen could not reform the town
government, at least SO far us the re-
duc,ion Of the expences was concerned,
Tor that Council served two years, and
at the close of their last fiscal year, the
Finance Committee recommended
Tax Of TWENTY FIVE THOUS-
AND dollars to meet the expences Of
the ensuing year We do not charge
that Council with the extraordinary in
crease of expenditure but we simply
say that they were unable TO manage af-
fairs SO as to decrease the Tax on the
contrary, i, increased during the last
wear OF their administration about
FOURTEEN THOUSAND DOL
LARS, as the expenses Of the year
will exceed the Tax by about tour
thousand dollars.
Now we contend that there will be
constant increase Of taxation under a