The daily Gate City. [volume] (Keokuk, Iowa) 1855-1916, 1856-05-13

science applied 10 inc Aealtn anu the ufalnag
of cities, has clearly developed the advan
tage, IF variations in the general surface
which hope will not be overlooked in estab
fishing a general system of our city grades
STREET IMPROVEMENTS.
t,ra les being established, their construc
ton mast be the work of years. The neces
sity Of convenient wharf and an easy ap
preach to the river, justified the commence
Iuent of street work on the credit system.
That work was absolutely necessary TO on
existence as city. Subsequent operation
are urgent, and must proceed as building
progress, and new necessities arise; but Their
is no such imperious necessity Of their inn
mediate construction as to Justify the accu
mutation of a burden of debt or tax tina
would stae the growth Of any city. Any at
temp, to grade streets for the mere purpos,
of increasing the value of adjacent lots
should be made private enterprise, the cosi
Of which should fall on those who expect tC
derive the profit. This would save the city
from species of debt which briggs no inn
mediate profit, and often creates expenditure.
that could well be deferred. To throw this
burden on those who desire grades in view OF
speculative advantages, it is the custom IN
some cities to require the work to be done
when a majority of three ourths OF street OF
district petition for it. The cost is then APP
portioned according to front adjacent feet
so "a to pay both expense and damages, as
justice and equity seem to require. Such o
system may perhaps be adopted in this city,
to the convenience of those who desire i'm
mediate grades, and 10 the relief of others
who are not ~ present prepared to incur the
expense. If such a system Of specla! tax
be no. resorted to, the plan Of letting work
payable in city bon3s should be entirely
abandoned. II my credit il to be used, it Is
better for the cityto sell the bonds, than the
contractor, because in the sale by the city, any
discount is ascertlined, but when the discount
Is thrown upon :. contractor, II Is covered by
high prices, and the exact loss TO the city is
coace lied, and public opinion may thus be
deprived of Its timely expression. Sell
your bonds, or raise means by taxation,
before you do the work, if YOU desire 10
hold q check the accumulation Of too large
2 debt for street improvements. There is
no work of acity 50 constantly urging city
government 10 the accumulation of doubt
full or needless extravaganza, as that of
street improvements and after great ave-
nGes and necessary commercial advantages
are accomplished, | doubt exceedingly the
expe1iency of any further resort to credit for
the purpose of street improvements. They
can wait the progress Of special and general
taxation, rather than create debt TO discred
il and embarrass city. If the city credit
is exten4ed to one, it will soon be demanded
for each and al the streets and who does not
perceive the danger of a runous increased
extravaganza
WATER AND GAS.
The proprietors Of our Gas Works, Messrs.
kilbourne Il Herrick, have, under circum-
stances peculiarly unfayorable, accomplished
their construction with extraordinary sue
cess. They commenced on the l4th Of Sep
tcmber, ard illuminated our streets on the
lst Of January and such is the excellence
and abundance Of the gas which they have
furnished, that | deem their
achievement worthy Of special and honorl-
Bile II ,ntioL. Their success IN affordng us
one 81 the luxuries of city life. has stimua-
ted desire for water works, which Is still
more important to our welfare ana happi-
ness. From my OWE knowledge, without
any careful estimate, | would state the prob
able cost Of water-works adequate to our
city. It two hundred thousand dollars
lhe plan recently adopted in Europe, and i'll
some Of our neigh5oring cities, which EN-
pioys towers and tanks, instead Of large re-
saryoirs, may considerably lessen the noces-
sary cost. Although our population anc
wealth may not justify the immediate com
meneement Of the requisite worAs, vet it i,
time that the plan was being considered, a,
II Is If great Importance TO the city TO Sc
cure an economical and successful plan, il
order that the greatest abundance Of waite
should be afforded to every tenement, at ia,
least possible cost. | hope that during tn,
year this matter may be brought before til,
Council in a more tangible and practica
form.
IHE CITY FINANCES.
The reports Of the Recorder and Treas
urer, which will accompany this communi
cation, will give very plain stateme nt Of tn
details OF our receipts and expenditures to
the past year.
Tie debt of the city which has accnmula
ted for the work on the wharf, sire cts, an,
other city improvement, that bring no direc
dividends in return, amounts to j. 93,9l5 u
Our Railroad subscriptions are, to
the keokuk, Fort Des MONIES
aud Minnesota Railroad, 100000 O
TO the keokuk, Mount Pleasant
and Muscatlnc Railroad, 100000 o.
Making our entire debt S593,9l5 g.
For the Railroad bonds, VIC have Rallroai
stock and If there ever viii be any GOO
paying roads IN Iowa, il would seem TO III
that ours are sure to 10 among the number
The Railroad stock viii therefore most like
~ pay the Railroad debt, thereby leaving tn
present considerable aggregate no cause 70
future anxiety. i he peculiar location Of thi
city at the foot Of the rapids, will hereatte
give us a considerable income from gu
wharf and there Will be u constant iucreas
III various other channels. The assessment
Of property in the city amounts to nearl
four millions. Ii our city limits We're fairl
extended, the assessment would probabl
amount TO SIX millions. There is an irregula
strip of ground between the lot line and tn
river line, in front Of our city, which som
have supposed belonged to adjacent lots
while others suppose it is merely sufficient TO
a street aud wharf. This ground, on tn
contrary, no more belongs 10 adjacent own