The Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1877-1885, 1878-04-23
ARE CITY GOVERNMENTS
FAILURE.
Something for Aldermen to consias

When political parties depart from their
usual course in the selection of candidates
for important administrative offices. as was
the case at the last municipal election 10
this city, there must be some underlying
motive. Those who imagine that it was
the desire to beat an uniuportant third
party in this city are sadly at fault and
ignorant of the financial condition OF the
city. Mayor Reynolds, in his inaugural
comprehended the situation of affairs
that called him to the service of the city.
The people believed they saw in his ability
and well known character for frmness the
man who would check extravaganza, en-
force economy, and allow only such ex-
penditures as are absolutely necessary.
Few perhaps fully realize the Importance
of this subject,-a subject that is forcing
itself upon the attention of every city IN
the country, and becoming one of the most
important problems which has ever en-
gagged the attention of political economists
and property holders. The solution of
this problem demonstrates whether BUSH
ness in these cities can be maintained and
whether property is worth having.
This subject was very forcibly presented
in very clear manner in lecture de
liyered by Robert B. Porter, Esq, before
the American social science congress at
Lowell. Mass. He demonstrated that,
unless some radical reform is introduced
in the administration of city governments
to check their expenditure and diminish
their cost, the time is not Ear distant when
the real property of our principal cities
, will be burdened with debts and taxation
which will amount to con6scation, and
their business will be taxed out of existence.
The result is as certain as his facts are
undeniable. He shows that 10 twelve of
the principal cities in this country the
aggregate increase of Indebtedness from
1866 to 1876 is 1877 per cent, and the iu-
, crease of taxation is Sc per cent The
immense depreciation Of the value Of
property within the last two years would
Another ten years of corresponding ex-
penditure and increase will render the
burdens Of municipal government iDtoler-
; able
A writer In the Chicago Tribune sApril
. Goth presents some very timely suggestions
q which we make use of as applicable to this
city:
The unparalleled depression in business
9 and depreciation OF all kinds of property
: and the idleness and desiitutiou of the
;, masses, call loudly for a reduction in the
burdens Of that taxation which has beeu
d so instrumental in producing the present
b state of affairs, and a consequent reduc
q ton in the expenditures of that most vora
II cious of all tax-eating devices, municipa
ID government, The people have adopted
economy in their business and persona
expenditures. Salaries and wages have
been reduced, and every possible expense
e cut off or curtailed. Is there any reason
e why the city government should not prac
tice the same retrenchment and economy
,s and the salaries of its employees be cor
% respondingly reduced. If an individual
= were running the city government as
7 private enterprise, at his own expense, h
- would not hesitate what to do; and if b
. should refuse to adopt a rigid system c
- retrenchmeDt. his creditors would justI
charge him with dishonesty.
Aldermen vote away the public none
instead of their own, but they act as trus
x trees and are as solemnly bound to execut
of their public trusts as wisely, carefully, an
* economically as if they were managing
Il private estate or their own lndlvldu;
VI affairs. and any one who will do otherwis
nc is unfit for his position. Those in chaIR
be of the city government are bound, then, &
O. judieious and honest men, to cut down e.
penditures to the lowest point consister
=" with the reasonable protection of propert
or and the preservation of order.
No one will deny the necessity of tt
bv economical maintenance OF our commC
J.. schools, where children may be taught
n the common and elementary branches
er education, but the ornamental branch
are no part of common-school educ'
ton, and should be summarily disco
tinued. The High Schools are no pa
We of the system Of common-school educ
is ton If parents desire higher educate
ne for their children, let them provide it
- their own expense 1t may humble Oh
GU pride to discontinue the High Schools, b.
n we had better do it than impair our coz
of mon schools, or make them such burd,
nd as to invite their discontinuance. II
,;a propriety and legal right of levylng tax
40 for the support of schools above the graz
on of common cchools is being largely discus
St. ed and seriously doubted. Gov. Robinso
70. Of New York, regards tax for their gu
ns port as not only oppressive, but also illeg;
Our Constitution, Art. s. Sec, /, requir
'r- that "a through and efficient system of fir
schools whereby all the children of tb
State may receive good cOnlnaOn-schd
W education" shall BE- provided 1t is mai
tanned, and supported by high legal autho
~ ity, that this provision implicitly negativ
'o' the right to establish and support by tax
ton schools of any other grade.
The cost incurred by the city for g
ng aud sewers would be largely curtailed if
individual! were running the city at his ov
~ expense There are miles of gas-lamps
streets where the number of residen
does not warrant theu. They have be-
W. ordered and lighted to benefit the rel
to estate spectators, rather than from pul
lie necessity,
The same is true of large outlay {
sewers. A wise economy would ha
nd postponed their construction until an
St. crease of population rendered them neces
NJ. airy.
=. Is there any good reason why the CT
aS' should pay its employees higher salaries til,
70 individuals pay for services requiring Il
ok same labor and skill, and involving Il
Il same responsibilities Does any one dou
that, if an individual were bound to mai
tain the Police and Fire Department