The Carbon advocate. [volume] (Lehighton, Pa.) 1872-1924, 1876-01-08
Carbon Advocate-Extra.

appreciation of property bas been merely noni-
| nal?
Does the Indifference and inertness with which
this subject of the government OF cities has been
| heretofore regarded forbid the hope that there
can De unanimty or sentiment among citizens
| cipate our cities from the inevitable consequen-
ces Of these reckless expenditures, or will they
gagged, and their honor and fair fame smutcbed
| with the stains of bankruptcy The immunity
| from criticism and investigation which these
schemes for public improvements enjoy, gives
| encouragement and protection to levery invefl-
| ton of fraud and plumber, and people who are
taxed and who supinely submit year after year
| 70 these exactons, are to n great extont respon
| sbe therefor.
The bulk of the taxation in our great cities
| falls upon the property holders; the mass of the
citizens do not feel It's burdens. and are uncon-
| cerned about the public expenditure or rejoice
l,n,e thereat and approve them when Athey
the parks, or add to their protection and benefits
| as do tho police and schools This mass of citi-
| zens forgetful of that cardinal principle of our
| Institutions, "that those must vote the tax who
| pay it," control the elections and send men to
! the municipal legislatures, who, like themselves,
| frequently bear none of the public burdens, and
are consequently improvident and wastefui A
| large portion Of our population is therefore
taxed without representation, for no sane man
VIII contend that this sort of representation is
| the right for which fathers waged n seven
| years war with England. Can laboring men be-
iieve that persistence in this policy will not work
| them serious and permanent injury? Does 1t
require much foresightto see that this appropria-
ton Of private property by means of taxation,
will drive manufactures, trade and wealth from
our cities to more congenial localities? Capital
| and enterprise will seek channels where the full
lest freedom and the greatest profits can be OBJ
taincd and IL is suicidal thus TO dry up the very
| sources of our prosperity.
| This sketch Of the municipalities Of other coun-
| tries and our own will, hope serve to show how
essential they are to republican institutions and
| how liable they are TO abuse. 1t admonishes
| MS that the question OF their government Is
delicate one, the consideration of which should
Oarh n1 1uyitI fl..fr .tagI nrrtfn
We must take care that our efforts to mitigate
the evils we feel do not beget others equally op-
Pressaiye, and we wiz thns have change without
unlike other corporations, are subject TO altera-
tion by the legislature, and that body can amend
them at pleasure. In view OF the importance of
the proper regulation of our cities, because of
the vital relations they sustain to the trades and
manufactures of our most thriving communities,
and the welfare and happiness of their citizens,
recommend that the legislature authorize the
appointment of commission of experienced
persons to examine into the condition of our
municipalities and prepare such legislation for
the consideration of the legislature as will, in
their opinion, meet the abuses sought to be
remedied. 1t is my candid opinion that all the
legislation upon the statute books referring 10
municipalities should be repealed and n compre-
hensive and uniform code enacted, the main
features Of which win not be the subject Of pc
rennial alteration.
CENTENNIAL.
Whatever misgivings have hitherto possessed
the public mind about the success Of the centen-
dent the country has awakened to the convic-
ton that the exhibition instead of being merely
local, with which character the indifferent and
dtstrustful would have invested IL, will transcend
in dignity and magnitude anv of the eSpositions
that have preceded it in Europe
1t becomes Pennsylvania, therefore, to bestr
herself and strive to have full representation of
her resources and industries on exhibition. The
commonwealth has made vast contributions of
means, and the energies of many of her hest cit .
izens have been ceaselessly devoted to the pro-
motion of the enterprise and she will be false to
her best interests if the display she makes Is not
creditable to her people and in keeping with
her position among the states. Every city,
town, county ana township that has product,
whether of the soil or manufacture, should take
care that 1t has place in the exhibition. Our
mineral resources should all be shown, and our
iron, oil coke lumber railroad, ship building and
all manufacturing interests should be itly repre-
sented. Every beneficial, trade and CONNER
cial association should have charts or designs to
show their purposes or benefits. The collections
of scientific and art societies should be exhibited.
and our penal and retormatory institutions, and
those of charity, benehcence and learning,
should in some manner Illustrate their
management. Opportunities should be af-
forded to study our forms of government,
public and private Improvements in buildings,
churches, bridges, water, gas and other works,
and every means and facility furnished to the
stranger to become acquainted with the charac-
ter, extent and variety of our products and the
advantages of our state as place of residence
and field for enterprise.
To make this display will require constant and
unremitting work on the part of individuals,
firms and companies during the short time that
remains before the exhibition opens, and public
and private liberality should combine to effect
this object. In conformity with an act passed at
your last session, the executive appointed COM
mission of gentlemen to be entrusted with the
superintendence and collection of the exhibition
which Pennsylvania shall make at the Centen-
nial. To perform this duty it is obvious they
must have financial aid, and when we consider
how vast and multifoTm must be its labors, and
the short time left to discharge the same, the
sum allowed to defray the expenses should be
fIAwa
share the commonwealth has taken in this great
national enterprise. The character of the gen.
tlemen who were appointed is surety that the
exhibition of the state will be all that zeal and
fidelity 10 its interests can make it, If means
are afforded them to fulfill the purpose of their
appointment, and recommend that an appro-
priation therefore be made at once.
In this connection 1t is proper your attention
should be invited TO the necessity of making pro-
vision for the transportation and encampment
of the military of the state at some period of the
exhibition, 90 that suitable display may be made
of this branch of the public service. Several of
the states are making extensive preparations in
this direction and the military feature of the ex-
hibition promises to be creditable TO the volun-
teer system of the country. The various com
mands throughout the country are perfecting
themselves in drill and discipline, with view to
this encampment, and feel assured the APP
pearance and bearing of our soldiers will reflect
honor upon our state. The troops from this
state will probably be encamped for period
cinty of the exhibition, to serve with
out pay and supply tnelt own ratlousJ DuV,
through the proper authorities they ask that the
state viii furnish them with transportation to
and from the exhibition, and provide shelter for
them while in camp. When we consider what
little compensation the National Guard receives
for its services, this reasonable request OF the
commands that will muster, numbering perhaps
eight thousand men, will, am confident, meet
with your favor.
INSANE.
1t is apparent to the most casual observer that
the hospitals for the care of the insane In this
state are insult cient for the public necessities.