, 1859-03-10

Previous to the Isle Charter election xe
published the draft Of an ordinance before
the Council, concernin. Assessments for
Public Improvements" It passed the Cuun-
Gil on Monday night last. From its great
importance to property holders, we rcpub}ish
it. Hud it been enacted half dozen years
ago il would hare cared mure than halfa
million Of dollars to owrcrr Of real. .estate.
Had this ordnance been passed one year ago,
it would hare saved to the Republican
ticket scores OF votes, and prevented great
dissatisfaction on tic part ol hundreds who
lid support the Republican candidates.
The new ordinance contains the two very
important provisions:
|. That before aug street or side walk shall
be improved, the Superintendent shall make
ont q specific plat u the proposed improve
n:nt, aud advertise it in the Corporation
newspaper for scaled bids {; tuat said bids
shall be opened by the Clerk before tue Coun-
Gil in open session, aud the job shall be
awarded 10 the lo1cst responsible bidder.
2. That when au assessment for any I'M
prorement shall be made, the Clerk shall ad-
yertise ia the Corporation newspaper tue
names Of the owncrs, a description Of the
lots, the valuation Of each, and tbs sun as-
sessed upon each lot for the proposed in
proycment, before the assessment roll can he
lie confirmed Ls the Council.
This lust provision will give every owner q
chan,e Of knowing beforehand how much lie
il gong 10 bc tuxsd for the Improvement,
and II lie has remou$trance 10 make he eau
lky it before the Councit before thc tax AN
be fastenca upon l'lu. Il gives him \ chance
to hare over-chargcs corrected, Or to defeat
the whole thing, if not wanted by mtjotity
Of the property holders.
The othcr provision will prevent collusion
letwcen tue Superintendent and contractors,
md put d eLop to mixing piece Of vol cost
two or three times What it il worth. There
IL hardly un owner Of real estate in the city
but bclicvcs1hat he bus been overcharged by
the estimates made ly Granger and Bouton.
The l2tter's estimates hare given more dissat~
isfacfion to taxpayers than oil other causes
Of complaint alleged against Haines' admin
istration, and hare been tie source of greater
loss Of votcs to tle Republican party than
any other local grievance
NGut Of system, promptncss ard uniform
ty on The part Of the Superintendent Of Sps.
cial Assessments, has been another fruitful
source Of complaint On tie part Of property
holders. Much Of this may he attributed to
the OTHER official and business engagements oI
tllat officer, which obliged lin 10 rntrnst the
delicate duty Of making assessments to depn'
ties. Un'nirness and ir1cgularity in asscs=
mente, are the inevitable consequence.
Will competent and faithful supesintend
ent Of Public Works, with more cals in Spe
cial Assessments and with the provisions o1
the new ordinance fairly carried out, the mul
titudc Of well: groundedcomplaints will totall,
cca=e. The allegations made BY propert,
holders, OF tha loose manner aud unfairnee
Of assessments, and Of the Irregular method
Of letting out the work. mud of tue enhanced
cost imposed upon them in consequence. vii
no longer have substantial basis. Hun
dreds Of thousands OF dollars will be saved
and general satis{action will bs conferred upo,
tue holders Of real eetate,