Watertown republican. [volume] (Watertown, Wis.) 1860-1906, 1861-03-22


duty of all men at all times to think On arri-
wing at WATERFOWL and learning that, in addi-
ton to the embarrassments of the general hard
times, the city is in debt nearly or quite to the
extent of bankruptcy, at the slme time TO see
the streets of the city brilliantly lighted with
gas like gorgeous palace, naturally excited
surprise More fourishing and larger towns in
Wisconsin, which are less burdened with debt,
manage to get along without the metropolitan
luxury of gas light in the streets, and do not
consider it great hardship. Why should not
WATERFOWL do the same 1t is true the use of
gas commenced in prosperous times when ap-
pearanceS seemed to justify it, but this is really
no justification for continuing it. although it
not easy to intermit the practice after it
had been begun. We are glad to see some re-
trenchment in the amount used, and think it
would not prove great ev nor very improper
if it were discontinued in the streets altogether
Making an easy transition from gas to other
matters, it is natural to ask, whether the prac-
tice of burning gas in the streets may be con-
sidered fair index to the general city expen-
ditures; whether our city taxes are in other re-
spects as unnecessary as lighting the city with
gas Doubtless it would be satisfaction to
many citizens to learn the facts in the case
If exyravag, nee exists. there should be re-
form; if. on the whole, rigid economy is prac
tced, then the present Board is entitled to our
gratitude and thanks for the faithful discharge
of the duties committed to him.
The great robberies and frauds upon the peo-
pie, brought to light within the past year COM
mitted by officials of the Federal Government,
manifest what is far too prevalent everywhere,
viz the idea that Offices are not created mainly
for the public benefit, and rewarding the holder
only as other employments pay. This evil has
always been a growing one. Public officers
have been continually adding to their own per-
quisites. by one method and another, ingen-
iously improving every opportunity, just as
members of Congress first come to charge con-
s5ruc,iye mileage which the law never contem-
plated. Justice seems to demand that men
who in Strengthened circumstances who
are in some c"ses losing their homes, should
not be unnecessarily taxed to pay large saarie
to public officers when the duties they perform
could be secured just as well for less money. If
there is a single Office in our city Government
for the services of which the pay is above the
ave age compensation of equally responsible
labour in general, we cannot perceive why it
would not have been advisable for the citizens
to have made seasonabe movement for an
amendment of the charter in that respect. at the
present session of the Legislature it is now
probably too late. If the city Treasurer has
been paid more than fair price for his SER
vices, the salary of that office ought to have
be9n reduced and so of every other kind of
public service. Neither party feeling nor any
other similar cause. should prompt any course
which will render our pecuniary burdens heav-
Ter than can be avoided We're the times pros
porous were all our citizens or a large ma
jority of them in easy circumstances were the
city owing only small amount of debts which
1t could easily pay; were there none amongst
us to whom the raising of few dollars tax is
grievous burden intolerable to be borne, what
might in that case seem to be niggardly mean,
or a small matter TO contend about in exactly
reverse circumstances like the present would
seem to be too i'm portant to be overlooked
y
to a collection of individuals composing city
precisely the same principles which in the same
circumstances would apply to AN Individual
1t is to be hoped that our city government will
bear the closest scrutiny into all its measures
ana appropriations. Ifit will not we respect
fully suggest that its administration be immedi-
ately reformed so that it will do it, and exhOrt
all good citizens to unite in efforts to secure
this desirable object We hope the city gov
eminent will use the same diligence and wis
dom in studying how expense and heavy taxes
may be avoided. that successful business men
use in their affairs Measures and laws which
were inaugurated four years ago, when money
could be had almost by picking it up in the
street, will by no means suit now, when there
Is comparatively no money at all As people,
almost without exception. have been obliged 10
-'right-about-face- in economical matters, why,
of course. the city government cannot we'll do
otherwise than initiate the wise example. Our
case as city may be illustrated by that of
the unfortunate mouse in the fable: Esop tells
us that the hungry little animal, greatly to his
satisfaction, found bin full of grain, and at
once entered it at small hole through which
he found no difficulty in passing, without a
thought how he light betimes retreat Follow
ing his natural appetites mice generally do,
he unrestrainedly gave himselfup to gratifca-
zion of his hunger, the effect of which was to
acquire fat and enlarge his corporeity. After
n while he bethought himselfof the prudence Of
Withdrawing from place of so much danger;
but what was his horror to find that the hole in
which he easily crept when lean and hungry,
WAS quite too small TO admit passage out
The story runs that, while bordering his diem
ma passing weasle to whom he sought for
counsel sagely advised him to abstain from
1000 until he should become as lean as when he
entered IN which condition he might escape
The application is easy: The only apparent
way for us to get out of our present dilemma is
to stafye until We can crawl out of the same
holeiat which we came into the evil lis b;rb
time the shrinking process was commenced
We assure readers that these are snqces-
lions growing out ofthe condition of our eitv f.
nances, no way prompted by complaint against
the present board. and We should be sorry to
have any one presume they are designed to APP
ply personally. Without censuring any, we
should be glad to see board elected in every
respect suited to the times.
N.Y. THop,,a w Cn,;4b lie. L.. la