, 1877-10-19
CITIZENS ASSOCIATION,
TIE ANIMAL irp0ltr -.

Of the Ct(zers' Association lns been completed,
aud will be submitted at the nnnua1 meeting of
thu Association IN the last Tuea1ay OF this
month. II contRins an elaborate review of tho
affairs Of Cook County during the past ycnr,
and particularly dcala with tho beneficial lcgiA-
latlon obtall,cd through tho harmonious action
OF the Cook County members brought about iIy
the cllorta OF The Association. While admitting
tint the last Ecssion OF the Legislature wns Ia
many respects an unffultfi,l one, sume needed
legislation having failed, tho report claims that
they did all TINT could bo expected, considering
tho lnflucnccssurronndtng them. Among thet tnIE-
tires natct are tho Proposed modification of tho
Jury system aud tho RcgjatrY law. With re-
gard to tllo lattcr II is believed that ut future
session the plan can 10 introduced as m nmeutl-
n,cnt to the Township Organization law, making
It applicable in towns which arc wholly embraced
within tho ltnita Of city, Is in the cnsc Of town
elections.
rlo litigation rclativc to tho ntraira Of tho
Town OF South Chicago comes under review,
tho result beng tic appointment ol Collector
whose performance Of thy duties proved emil
ncntly satisfactory. aul tbs saving from thc
excess ot fees sufficient to tlefray lilo expenses
Of tho soutl, Town during tho ensuing year, and
rendering taxutto'' tor that purpose uunecc.:
sary. The Association congratuatcs itself
s ass Of 'y tss Nv s's 'passtlns I liz .sxn s's',
aaa city elections on TIC same day. Among
thu hatistactorY result of tho suit to test tho
validity Of tho Commissioners right u borruw
money without tho approving ynto IT tho
people, as also tho successful Issue Of tlle Asso-
elAi!on's pleas tn tho Harms slit.
The Organization Of the state militia tlMlcr
new law wns another project which engaged tho
attention Of the Association. Tho rcFott urges
ilat our gallant llonc regiments should be pro.
thu requisite number. TIo report aI-
plauils' tho efficient and cconolnlcal all.
tntnistratton Of tho City Government, and the
efficiency Of tho police forcc. Tho finances Of
tue city arc under tho Influence OF a wiso md
persistent economy. faat assuming very favor
aole condition; Tho operation Of what Ii called
the back Tux law will. It IL hoped, soon clear OF
thu floating debt; a,loag other beneficial iegts-
urc of otilcv ol tue Mayor unl other officers 10
twn ycars' term, reducing tho rAte Ut com.
tni.btoIl cltarGrablc by tho County Treasurer for
collecting city taxea attl providing for tho pay
ment Of city ta1es by treasury warrants III tic
salns way tlat county taxes may be uald.
Tho subject Of taxation Ia next handled, anda
regret EXPRESSED that nothing Ut practical III.
lure has been evolved. The existing laws regu-
lating taxation ars spoken of rs em,nently lust
lnu principle; tho fault lies III. the execution Of
the laws, tho !sleonpeacncg Of officials. at,l tho
aputhy of thu taxpayer. Tho hrht can only bn
reneu!nQ ny tho SELECTION OF EUskl Itctl. Anl tho
remedy Tor tue secoul mentioned evil lies With
tn tho power Of eacl1 taxpayer. Ncn ot business
should devote thn sose attention to tho assess-
mcnt oE their taxes that they 10 To any other
business. Tie amount raised by taxalIoa in
lb7U tpasd during 1s77. for Stn,e county, al city
purposes WAS lnoEe than 81 I,oOo, QUO less Ll.aa tn
1S7r.
After brief reference to tho noxious odor
question. the report concludes by inpresstng
NtNH tho AksOe!atluM The Importance Of The
coming election, anu tho necessity OF olTorss ie
Ing Ea4do to purify tic County Administration,