The weekly pioneer and Democrat. [volume] (Saint Paul, Minn. Territory) 1855-1865, 1859-05-12

admobish prudence IN The exercise OF our
strength.
Our year Of Official trust possesses therefore
ts own peculiar exigeneie-, the chief OF which
IL the maintenance Of the credit Of the city,
feeming 10 require ~ = temporary change Of
policy, an avoidance Of new projects OF public
improvement.
am convinced 4, gentlemen, that this policy
will promote the Interests Of all classes OF our
fellow citizens.
The business Of the city which has advanced
from small beginnings to comparative opu
lence 10 now In rapid process Of transition
from retail TO Wholesale trade. We have al
ready commenced importing goods direct from
Europe and our property holders are strain.
Ing oil their energies to supply the Increasing
demand for first class buildings. yet, notwith-
standing tbis Ia a year Of great increase in the
business and building improvements Of the city,
for surprising that Of any other, It IA at the
same time for those who are making such I'm
proyements period Of heavy expenditure and
sfn ell income.
would recommend therefore that you adopt
policy Of economy that will make ths bnrthen
Taxation as light "a may be consistent with
the necessities and obligations Of the city, and
by next year property holders will be prepared
with an Increased basis Of taxation TO impart
a renewed and vigorous impulse to the great
public improvements Of the city.
By such policy the value Of our property
priet0rs will be enabled more readily to make
sales and will DO encouraged to invest the pro-
ceeds In private enterpris. which will give In
creased and remuDeratiye work 60 mechanics
and laborers, thereby inspiring strangers and
citizens with Increased confidence. business
with healtbfnl activity, and assuring to all an
epoch of revival and prosperity.
While you are thus wAtchiul TO protect pro.
perty holders from unnecessary taxation, equal
or even greater care should be observed In the
protection OF the poor from unjust exactions.
Under our fres institutions the only true ba'
sis Of taxation Ia property; with few excep'
tions II Ia the only legitimate source Of revenue.
Therefore the taxation for revenue, under the
color Of granting license Of any trade or pursuit
not prejudIcial 70 the moral or material welfare
Of the community, Is essentially Inconsistent
with the theory OF our institutions, and In most
cases, unwse, unjust and oppressive.
A license exacted from any useful trade or
pursuit carried on by citizens, " necessary to
the protection ot tho community, Is very pro-
per police regulation; and the cost Of the same
should be betrayed by the parties licensed, but
when such license Is resorted TO for the pur.
pose Of raising a revenue, II becomes . special
tax upon industry aud consumption, and Ia In
most cases oppressive to tho poor. would
therefore recommend that revenue licenses be
strictly limited to the pursnts that are prejndi
cial 10 the interests, or moral welfare Of ths
coats Of all other licenses shall not exceed the
expense Of inspection and regulation.
A primary necessity Of health and life, the
want Of which IL daily increasing In our city 10
mn unfaiing supply Of water, not only for do.
nestle uses but also for the extinguishment OF
fires. 1t Ia not surprising that any project for
tho speedy supply Of this necessity should be
fav orabIy considered by the City Government.
Hut in our nm xcty on this subject We must be
careful 10 avoid the com mission Of serious, per
haps irremedinble mistakes. II Ia manifest that
an adequate supply Of water cannot bs fur.
nished by individuals, nor can this enterprise
be safely copadsd to the exclusive privilege Of
any private corporation, especially II the tarii
Of water rents were left to its discretion.
The experience OF numerous other munich.
palities, seems TO Indicate that our true pole y
In this regard, IL to borrow money for the con
| struetio Of adequate water works as soon As
We may be abb, 10 meet tho accruipp interest
on the loan. We can, then, on the completion
| Of tho work, furnish water from public hy.
drants In abundance, and gratuitously to tho
poor, and from the charges for supply 10 build.
InRs aud private residences, raise revenue sui.
Hcient to pay the interest upon the cost OF con.
sttuction and finally to discharge tho or liz nal
debt,
IL You were 40 disposed, gentlemen, II Ia at
least very doubtful whether YOU possess the
power under tho City Charter, TO grant tho OK.
| elusive privilege TO any COMPANY OF LAYING
4
pipes and constructing works for suppl wing the
| city with water lfhowever, il were clear hat
| you have III ispo wer. permit meto advise that
| Il ought not 10 be exercised, and to add that
! have no serious fears that ID will be.
| | am persuaded, gentlemen Of the Council.
that YOU W III on reflection consider the grant.
I ing OF such exclusive privilege without reser
not much less obnoSlou. 10 sounI policy. than
would he aconttact with corporation OF
erecting slaughter hou.r. aud supplying the
Guy WIN meat. ,,, ,., d.
rigid economy In the expenditures u the cur
rent year and wa.rhia' maintenance OF the
/ pnbIc credit the city am convinced WI De
gent necessity than any company likely 10 an
''It hsx ' ne s.ep.. III. sys.,,oo. which
have occurred to my own mind as mos, worthy
! your aNehV"u' "nl'h V"n'WsHu' WIN kiea'