The Emporia news. [volume] (Emporia, Kan.) 1859-1881, 1870-04-29

1ue ODJectAODdDle Texture III TINS
''omnibus, Ordinance is the City Hall and
think itcan be clearly demonstrated
that this should insure the defeat of the
whole proposition.
Examine the ''pro and cons" of this
subject and il will show that this City
Hall amounts to nothing more, on the
part of the city than-a ridiculous at
tempt at putting ON appearances" and
on the part of its prominent individual
supporters, plan to draw improvement
and business to q part of the city, which
without such 'bolstering" assistance on
the part oftle city government, they fear
would naturally tend away from them.
Let US look at the claims of this city
building. 1t is said we need Offices,
prison, city hall and engine house, and
the money saved in rents would more
than pay the interest on our bonds is
sued for such building At present We
will admit it is somewhat difficult TO
rent rooms for offices, and rents are
high, but who does not realize that the
supply of such accommodations will be
ample, and rents much lower, when the
numerous buildings to be erected this
season are completed.
The city has the use of the county Jail
at the rate of $500 per month, which is
cheaper than for the city 10 own and be
required to keep in order building
suitable for such purposes.
During the past winter we have seri-.
IN elf he Of
hall, but at least three large and COM
modious halls are contemplated in build
ings which are to be erected this season
and who that has observed the history
of such enterprises does not know that
they will always be taken for lectures
and exhibitions in preference to city
hall.
Now for the claims of the engine
house. 1t is said the plan of the Com
mittee on Fire Department is to secure
a hand engine, with hose-cart. &C., and
an equipment for hook and ladder
company, and these if secured (and /
hope they may beg will require an en-
CINE house. The objection to this would
be much as the general objection to the
whole plan, and that is that building
erected with view of accommodating
all the ends proposed, from the proceeds
Of $4,000 Of oar bonds, would in very
few years be wholly inadequate for the
purposes intended, and, in fact, a dis
grace to the city. An engine house
fully adequate for our present necessi-
ties might be built at o cost of fewer
hundreds than it would require thou
sands if this proposition prevails. But
another objection: There is more than
a strong probability that if these bonds
are voted as asked, the $4,000 intended
for this city building will be expended,
and before the year closes we will be
asked for from $4,000 to $4,000 to
complete what the original amount only
commenced. $3.50.
Our worthy Council are starting out
with clean page before them. A
young and growing city, not in debt,
and a people ready and willing to bear
the burdens of necessary taxation, but
who want to see their money appropri-
ated for necessary improvements.
We need q well organized and we'll
equipped fire department, including
cisterns. Our streets need improving
with substantial culverts and good side
walks. .a
1t may be necessary, in order to Sc
cure an additional railroad, that the city
should give its aid. 1t may be necessary
for US to make a liberal gift to some of
our railroads to secure the location of |
their machine shops.
We very much need, and at no dis
tant time will be obliged to have, a sys-
tenn of water-works to supply the city
with water.
We aciH be called upon by the school |
board for from $1,000 to $4,000 to
build much needed school-house this |
season.
For all of these purposes, and any
others the public services may demand, |
let US give as literally as the circum-
stances may require or we can afford, |
but no $4,000 to $4,000 of the peoples |
money to enhance the value of park lots.