The anti-monopolist. [volume] (Saint Paul, Minn.) 1874-1878, 1876-07-20


expenditure Of cur public money, and on in
volving public debt, and the reckless major
ity would ride rough shod over all wise and
good suggestions.over all prudent and conserv-
alive proposals, and have succeeded in plung-
ing the city hopelessly in debt,
MIR. Editor, you Justly complained, because
the publishing OF the delinquent tax list was
not awarded to the lowest bidder.
Well, Mr.. Editor, as sharp as you are, 1t
seems that you are unsophisticated in the
msodus operundi Of awarding public contracts,
and public works. II you had hidden thirty
cents per description, instead Of eight 50 as to
have had a handsome margin, for distribution
to the Orphan Asylum, and to the poor and
needful; without doubt the publication Of the
list would have been awarded to you, giving
as reason that the ANr1-MoNcPoIIsr was the
only paper III which the delinquent tax list
could "properly" be published.
favor Of our present condition Of affairs, is this:
Other ctieslin the west are just as bad of as we
are, therefore, we OUGHT to be satisfied with
our present rate Of taxation. Were seeking
a location in which to make me home, COM
paritively speaking would not stop in such a
city over night with view of settling; there
are many cities which have:a wise and jul
dicious city government, finances well man
aged, and taxation not more than one tenth as
much as that Of St. Paul, according to the true
value Of the property and the price it will
bring.
Ii we accidentally elect good man to Office,
like our present assessor, Mr.. McClung, and
merely use his name as an illustration OF the
idea, who, every one conceded, would discharge
the duties Of that office in manner that would
be alike honorable to himself and just to the
property owners, of both real and personal.
In justice to Mr.y McClung, must say that
he made the assessment on the personal prop
erty, with good judgment and ability, without
fear or favor OF influential and wealthy men,
and companies Of the city. No sooner had he
completed his labors on personal property than
raid was made on him and the honest and
faithful work he had accomplished, until
think there was struck from the role
OF pesonal property over $4,000, 900
the broken backs Of our poverty-stricken real
estate holders. 1t reminded me Of pack Of
hounds hunting hare; ii the work OF justice
crops out at the hand Of any Of the city officers
he must be pursued, chased and hunted down
fer his integrity and honesty Of purpose.
were made for the benefit OF influential parties,
it has rendered the appraisement OF the person.
al property hodge pOdge affair, and evidently
a manifest injustice mas been done, as betw cen
the owners OF personal property and real es-
| tate.
smart and judiciOuS thing in order to give her
self unprecedented thrift aud prosperity, all
she has to do is to keep down taxation. II she
can reduce her xes to one half of the taxable
rate Of st. Paul, she will double her population
in five years, and dtpopulate her sister city.
| / pay taxes in both cities, and will admit
that real estate can be carried tor one third less
| tax in Minneapolis than in st. Paul; it must
be in the valuation OF property BY the assessors
of taxes.
Should remain in Minnesota, contemplate
making Minneapolis my future home, and
the property represent in st. Paul will be fol
sale, and the proceeds reinvested IN the city OF
Minneapolis, should that city continue to re.
duce her taxation; and we have good reason to
hope that taxes will be reduced, for she gener-
ally elects white men to Office, and does not APP
pear to be cursed with manipulating and pee
ulating rings. To-day Minneapolis is the city
in which honest men should make their homes
in preference to St. Paul, on account Of taxa
ton and the integrity Of the city and count,
government.
would suggest that poll tax Of not les
than three dOllars for every man, would BE-
great relief to the tax payers OF this state, AM
the law to provide that no man could vote un
til he paid his poll tax. This would make ev
ery man who votes half . dozen times 1t tn
~ and oftsn," pay for his fraudulent voting
It would be the greatest guarantee to the purit
Of the ballot box, OF any law that Minnesota In
ever recorded on her statutes. know the Re
publican party Of this state, although they con
cede the justice oft, dare not take the respon
sibility Of passing such !. law 4 domin.r
: political party Away. panders 70 votes instea'
Of public justice and the interest Of the PEG
Well, will make few suggestions in rela
: ton to the existing evils Of : bad city govern
meut, and taxation. think have plan thu
will BE- An ample, full. and complete remedy
. and al il requires is fixed and drm determin
v<Hfek - \,
. . steady and persistent effort.
When the Legislature meets would prepai
0 . bill for full and complete reconstruction
: the city and county governmental, abOlishin
e every Office in the city and county; and the
Il prepare another Of reconstruction, c0ns0lida
: ting the two governments in one. The on
= salaried Offices | would have, would be u
s judges, sherif's and assessors; all the other o
J, ices to be without compensation, the mayor
e aldeYmans, treasurer's, auditors, clerk Of Il
d courts, and register Of deeds. The board {
n county commissioners would abolish. II m
u ofhcs must b. saaried ONCE, it should Be vel
e low, and the compensation 30 small that
lihood; and, therefore, 'slet the ONCE seek th
!, man and not the man the ONCE" then our eli
!. Offices would be filed BY the old settlers, sol
y men, II there be any, who are deeply intere
4 ted in property. Not one old settler in 4
n would decline any ONCE, and they would SER
d ton Of thus character In our city and coun
government, would bring the old settlers TO q
= front 70 oil Ill orr o1aces; wisdom would pr
d vail in Ill our councils, and our public anal
z would be administered with economy and pr
;: dence; taxation would b largely reduced, col
tdsncs restored, manufacturing estabaishmen
Of every character and description would
y started in our city, tTade and commerce J
vived, wages would advance, and labor Be
= great demand; capital would b seeking tnvel