The Somerset herald. [volume] (Somerset, Pa.) 1870-1936, 1876-01-12

tanned every grant OF power TO tax
where the amount to be raised vas &c
be dedicated to public improvement
even if the benefit was remote and
contingent, as 10 the construction D
railways, at q distance from city tc
digert trade TO its marts and other
like projects. A well known anf
ble writer asserts, that our cities are
the prey CT iob5ers, and the eurst
ond ,9zzle Of our civilization, ang
tba+th 'Sis more the result Of the sys
torn thu, che fault Of the city officials
Hones4 mo 1eannot be made by leg
isI.,ion bn, = The power Scr evil 0
- - dishonest or easeless
,;,,;, - a"d - SSld be Gxed Tn
nrinrinsI sa@ree Of abuse is ut i
disposition 70 do wr, "e' ou' ID "a
license to peculate aud p''' A''e'' i
is the power to do that v hlen = o'A'
aud nol those who do it, herein ~
must fnd the evil DisPlace tD"se in
the present local legislature, shc
others will take their positions "17
will soon be given 10 Ike practices
We must not forget that there is a
grave difference between the con
science Of the individual and the
public conscience 4 man will hesi-
tate, unless be is thoroughly dishOn-
est, before be takes advantage OF bis
neighb0r. bIt the same man VIII not
scruple moment when bis approval
l. asked FOR a project. which under
the suise Of public Improvement,
3 % drsp0iI the whole community Of
part ot It's property. Again. it is
an admitted fact that every public
enterprise always costs more. and
sometimes twice as much as a pri-
vate one, and the cost to administer
the several departments in our cities
Is striking illustration of this truth.
Is there any good reason why the
cost Of the management Of these de-
partments should in some instances
be four or fve times in excess Of the
amount paid fifteen years ago, while
compared Herewith the increase Of
population and appreciation of prop
erty has been merely nominal.
Does the indifference and iuertness
with which this subject Of the gov
ernment Of cities has been heretofore
regarded, forbid the hope that there
can be unauimity Of sentiment among
citizens to devise and enforce mea-
sures that will emancipate our cities
from the inevitable consequences of
these reckless expenditures. or will
they await until their property is ir-
morjgaged, and their
honor and fair fame smutched with
the stains of bankruptcy. The i'm
munity from criticism and investiga-
tIon which these schemes for public
Improvements enjoy, gives encour-
agement and protection to every in
gention of fraud and plumber, and
people who are taxed and who
submit year after year to
these exactions, are to q great extent
therefor
The bulk If taxation in our great
cities falls upon The property holders;
he mass Of the citizens do not feel
is burdens, and are unconcerned
about the public expenditure or re-
uiee therat aud approve them when
hey minister to their enjoyment, as
10 the parks, or add 10 their prOtec
ion and benefits as do the police
and schools This mass of citizens
'orgetful Of that cardinal principle Of
1ur Institutions, that those must
vote the tax who pay it, control the
elections and send men TO the munich
pal Legislatures, who, Ike them
selves, frequently bear none of the
public burdens, and are consequently
and wasteful \ large
portion Of our population is therefore
taxed without representation, for no
saEe man viii contend that this sort
If representation is the right for
which our fathers waged a seven
-ears' war with England Can la
'oring men believe that persistence
q this policy viii not work them Sc
ious aud permanent iDjuryz Does
{ require much foresight to see that
bis appropriation Of private proper
y by means Of taxation, will drive
manufactures, trade and wealth from
ar cities to more eoDgenial localitiesl
'apital and enterprise will seek
hannels where the fullest freedom
nd the greatest profits can be OBJ
,ined, and it is suicidal thus to DRY
p the very sources of our prosperity.
This sketch Of the municipalities
other countries and our own will,
hope, serve to show how essential
ley are to republican institutions
I'd how liable they are to abuse, and
imODishes US that the question Of
Ieir government is a delicate one,
lie consideration of which should be
oproached with the greatest eau
on
We must take care that our efforts
Mitigate the evils we feel do not
sget others equally oppressive, and
e viii thus have change without
sneft. Fortunately, the charters Of
unieipal. unlike other corporations,
e subject to alteration by the Leg
lature, and that body can amend
em at pleasure. In view Of the
lportance Of the proper regulation
our cities, because Of the vital re-
tiOns they sustain TO the trades and
Of our most thriving
and the welfare and
lppiness Of their citizens, | recon-
end that the Legislature authorize
,pointment Of o commission of ex-
.rieneed persons to examine into the
'adition Of our municipalities and
epare such legislation for the con-
leration of the Legislature as will,
their opinion, meet the abuses
ught to be rcmedied 1t is nv
ndid opinion that all the legislation
ION the statute books referring to
unicipaIities should be repealed and
comprehensive and uniform code
acted, the main features Of which
Ill not be the subject Of perennial
teration
Appended TO this message will be
und o detailed statement OF the
hts of q number of prominent cities