The weekly pioneer and Democrat. [volume] (Saint Paul, Minn. Territory) 1855-1865, 1859-02-03
Local Affairs.

OrshIxG ov SEyEsTH STRxEr.--Oa D pc
tition from CITIZENS OF the First Ward, the
City Council has appointed Commissioners
10 examine into the practicsbili,y at this
time OF opening Seventh street, across
Trout Brook. The object Of this movement
IL TO improve the value Of property 10 the
Addition beyond the Brook, Ly making It
more accessible 10 the business part OF the
city. The large amount OF filing required
10 cross the Brook. must entail large ex
pcnse In this opening, not only 10 the pro-
perty holders Beyond the Brook, bat also 70
She city. We do not know who are the
siRners 10 this petition, upon which the com
mission originated, but they should be the
parties who will DO obliged TO pay the cx.
penses for benefits derived. The Charter.
however, allows the petitioners 10 be citi.
xens Of the Ward, without reference TO their
location upon tho streets 70 be opened.
There ID . distinction. however, when the
street Ia to be improved. To improve the
street requires q majority OF the freehold
ers on the line OF the street. 30, that. 10
TACT. tho petitions TOR street opening and
street Improvement should be Simultaneous;
because, there would be 10 justice 10 paying
the owners OF land taken for tho opening,
until they Gro 10 b. used and It would be
injustice 10 requiring the owners Of lads To
be benefited. to pay for street opening.
that might not possibly be improved for
two, three or even five years. This view Of
the process Of street improvements, Is, OF
course. Of general application, and VIC have
no intention OF throwing any obstacle In tho
way OF opening Seventh stree, or any other
vtreet.
We call attention 10 thesubject, now, to
rciierate the opinion set forth some days since
that tho financial embarrassment o. the city
treasury, were induced by uncalled ior street
improvements and that tho only proper
remedy for tho relief OF tho treasury is to
stop this kind Of work. except where there
IL tho most absolute necessity, and where
there Is not the least qaesiion that tbs ex-
pcnses will be paid without tho city becom.
Ing responsible therefor.
The iatercst payments Of the city upon
Bonds issued for Street Improvements have
already become oI such magnitude. that ex.
traordinary aud doubtful expedients havo
been resorted 10, 10 meet them at the tino OF
falling due. II the city progresses in In
debtednes1 a. II has for tho last two years,
what will the city not have to do III tho way
Of doubtful financial policy to pay the prin-
cipal, when the interest now requires such
dangerous measures.
The burthcn Of taxation u now NO oncrous,
that hundreds OF tax payers cannot re-
ceive not rents enough from the property
10 pay fire per esni upon their investments ;
and hundreds Of others are obliged to let
their property DO sold az delinquent Tho
people Of the city cannot pay any larger
amount Of tax than Ia now assessed yet tho
city authorities are making large debt for
the future. by the issue Of revenue bonds. to
pay tho principal Of which, the assesssd
valuation Vi city property must be enhanced
beyond ia rcal value. l, is not right nor
proper that the fathers should entail bank.
rup,cy upon the sona for thia reason We ask
that the city authorities will manage the
Gnsnces Of the city. 10 that tho expenditures
Of each year shall not exceed tho legitimate
rcwipts; and tina. the future inhabitants
shall not bc forced to pay an indebtedness
which they had no hand In creating.