Lexington weekly intelligencer. (Lexington, Mo.) 1871-1887, 1876-01-08
CITY Gas Lamps.

city, for the purpose of demonstrating
that they could do it in a proper manner,
and, we suppose, thereby to induce the
citizens to favor the regular establish
ment of posts in that part OF the city
now covered by the mains. We do not
wish to cast a straw in the way of the
success Of any home manufacturing en-
terprise, on the contrary we are now
and have always been the strong advo-
cate for the establishment of manufac-
lures in our midst, and for their sup
port and patronage when once establish
ed; but as journalists its our duty first
of all to guard the public interests and
for this reason we wish the subject to be
thoroughly understood by our citizens.
The city charter provides that the coun-
Gil shall have power to levy and collect
on the real estate in the lamp districts,
which they can create, a sufficient tax to
detray three-fourths of the expenses Of
lighting the streets in such districts,
While the council has the power to tax
the real estate in the lamp district di.
rectly for three-fourths OF the necessary
revenue, there is nothing which compels
them to make the tax in that way, anc
we think it would be a very unjust dis
tribution of the tax. Take the district
now covered by the mains and tax it:
property for three-fourths of the expense
and let it bear its proportion of the ia,
levied on the whole city to pay the bal
ance, and that part of the city would
pay at least ~seven-eighths of the entir,
tax. This would be unfair from the fact
that the lamps, if they are justifiable al
all. are benefit to the whole city. They
cover that portion of the town il
which most of the business is done, and
in which the churches, hotels and public
buildings are situated, and the lighting
of the streets there will be a benefit to
all. Let the council carefully consider
the subject of the manner of levying the
tax, and then submit the question tc
those who have to bear the burden Of
expense. We know that the law does
not require such submission, but we be-
lieve in the good old democratic doc.
trine of letting the people manage then
own affairs as far as possible. In the
matter of the county bond compromise
the law places the power OF making the
compromise in the hands Of the county
court, and does not provide for a vote,
but we think the court did wisely in
leaving the matter to the voice of the
people. If the compromise is made on
the proposed basis, no n can pretend
that the taxpayers OF the county would
not have agreed to such a settlement.
So in this matter, if those who have to
pay the large part of the expense agree
to it, no one else will complain.
We know that there is opposition to
this idea, but we a see no good reason
for it. If the citizens alluded to do
not want the posts a0e should not haze
them !; and the thought that the propo-
sition would meet defeat, can be the
only reason for not wishing to give
them al opportunity to express their
wishes. We feel confident, however,
that if the company will extend its
mains out one street to the depot, place
two lamps only to a square, thereby
making the number about fifty, light up
only until twelve or n o'clock at a cost
Of something less than 1926 per lamp,
that the proposition will carry. We do
not think the company proposes to take
any unfair advantage by trying to rush
a plan of their W through the council
without regard to the wishes OF the peo-
pie; but they of course desire to make
as good i contract for themselves as
they can, and that is but natural, and
not r~eprehensible unless they try to ex-
tort which they have shown no DISPOSE
ton to do. But the people should look
to their side of the bargain, and see that
no contract is made which they will not
endorse. as once made it cannot be I'M
made. Ii a fair contract is offered we
shall c%heerfully and energetically sup
port it. if not, we shall as vigorously
oppose it.