Daily globe., 1879-01-29
THE SIXTH WARD.
A Cali for tho Issue of $5O,OOO in Bonds
The Address Issued by Their Committee.

and have this matter before them:
In tho matter Of what is known as tho Sixth ward
leyee improvement, 1t is recommended that the re-
port of the aldermen Of the Sixth ward which wa,
adopted by the common council ]feb 9th, 1877 (see
council proceedings of 1877, page 15 be referred to
the board Of public works, accompanied by an order
to proceed without delay to condemn the property on
the river front, and put said Improvement under
ceeding are complied with by the council and board
OF public works; the cost Of said improvement to be
assessed against the property benefited.
Another plan to pay for eaid Improvement would be
to first repeal SO much Of the Sixth ward annexation
law that exemps said ward from taxation to pay the
old city debt Then distribute the taxation equally
over M the whole city to meet all it's Indebtedness.
Then the city Of ST. Paul to issue it's bonds to such
an amount (say S50,vOO, or SO much thereof
IS on may BE be- necessarily nee to pay for this improve
pay the principal and interest Of these bonds
IN like manner as for other city bonded indebted
ness. This latter plan would make the taxation for
oI and
strongly favor it's adoption in preference to any
other plan suggested.
Ihe Justice OF this proposition will be self.evident
Wien we consider.
First-That the exemption clause in the annexa-
ton law is being made nulty 80 far, that wherever
any OF the old city bonds mature, they taken up
and new bonds issued for which the Sixth ward has to
bear its proportion of taxation to pay for the same
SO that in course of time all of the old bonded debt
OF the CITY, amounting to upwards Of $1,000 cOO will
be paid by the whole city, the Sixth ward paving its
proportion which is clearly in violation Of the Orig
inal terms and conditions Of annexation as provided
in the annexation law.
Already there is about $4,000 Of the old city bond
debt which has been taken up and new bonds issued
therefor, and the 9th ward is taxed with the other
wards to pay for the same.
Should the proposition to issue bonds for this Inn
provement be carried out by the city, and as con-
ditlon the exemption clause of the annexation act is
repealed, the result will be large increase in the
valuation OF the taxable property Of the Sixth ward
that will materially aid the city in pay
ment of principal and interest of all its indebtedness
second-There is scarcely citizen of st. Paul who
Will deny the necessity Of such an improvement in
the Sixth ward to protect the lives and property of
the residents from overflow of tho Mississippi river.
And this necessity has been hastened and the liab
1ty to overhowincreased very mater ally by the con-
sructon of railroad and levee improvements on the
east side of the river where there has been actual
encroachment the navgable waters of the Mlssis-
spp causing the widening of the river and forcing
me nowage over and on to the Sixth ward in
ordinary stages of water These railroad and leyee
improvements have been made under and by au-
thority of the common council of the city Of st.
Paul, without any authority from Congress- the only
body In whom is vested the authority under the con-
sdtution and laws Of the United States to make any
such encroachments on the national highway.
Objection may be made by some to this improve
ment being paid for by the city at large, claiming
that it is local matter belonging to the
Sixth ward, and should be paid for by the property
Immediately adjacent to, and benefited by the pro-
prosed Improvement.
The reply to which is that it is quite as much a
general benefit to the whole city, as the issue of
bonds to aid in building the Fort Smelling BRIDGE for
which the Sixth ward is OR will be taxed. Or sewerage
bonds, the proceeds of which used for local i'm
provements Oh the east side, the Sixth is taxed
for them also, but IS yet has not received dollar
Or the proposed bonds to issued for the building
new market house. Also for the building of High
school in the city.
Or city bonds to aid in the construction of union
depot in the city.
Sioux City railroad in the city.
For these and kindred purposes the aid of the city
is invoked to issue its bonds and judging from past
history, the probability is that city bonds will be
issued for the purposes above named, which, along
with those already issued by the city, aggregate a
its quota of tax levy.
That part Of the Sixth ward in which this improve
ment is SO much needed for its protection is princi-
paly settled by mechanics, artzans and Iaborers,
who own their little homesteads: they belong to the
wealth producing class of city, all they have in
the world is there. Would tnot be public calamity
IN time OF storm or flood, with the probable loss Of
human life?
Such disaster would be felt by the whole city,
and great suffering and privation would surely follow.
And who can say this may not happen at any time?
Is it not therefore the part of wisdom, well as the
duty Of the common council, to provide against the
pie Of the Sixth ward tiled to the relief asked?
In fact should they not have the preference' over
any private interests or influential corporations.
This improvement is asked for on public grounds,
It belongs to that class of improvements which, when
ever consunated the whole city is benefited thereby
The Sixth ward does not ask for any special privi-
OF their homes, security to their lives and property
to pay for which they ready and willing to be
taxed equally with the whole city.
II therefore the position taken by your committee
as to the merits of the proposed issuance of bonds
tor the levee Improvement of the Sixth ward along
side OF other bond propositions herein alluded to is
correct, there can be little doubt but what the ct
zens OF the Sixth ward, all such propositions must
be submitted to vote of tho people, would as readily
support by their votes any other reasonable
proposition equally the same as they would if per
mitted to vote On their own bond question. We be.
Ieve this improvement will greatly improve the navi-
cation of the river. Let the city do the work. aud If
at any future time Congress should be induced te
make any appropriation towards defraying this OK.
pense, the amount could be turned to the cit
treasury.
The present proposition is to adopt the line of pro
posed grading of Front street per plan of board
of engineers SO far to commence work at the foot
of the bluff above Yorg's brewery, and continue or
down the river to ga" street, thence along 'A'
street to the bluff, beDga distance Of about 10000
feet, upon estimate of seven feet depth Of EN-
bankment average width of forty feet, would re.
quire.
1o3 704 cub y'ds filling, at 20 cents, S2o,7O4 OF
$500 lineal it., rp-rappipg the river front
Of enbankment, at Sl,............. $500 OF
Lengthening Triple piers Of bridge, e,. 500 0;
sluice-gate at bluff on "a" street,: 500 o.
damages CAUSED ny conueInnauOn OF ABOUT
27 blocks at 5000 per block, 5,4oo Of
$33,7o4 OF
Which, if assessed upon the property on the fat
assuming there are 1880 lots to be assessessed
would make an average of Sl4.66 on each lot.
Or if city issue, say 20 year bonds, to the amour
of $50,0oo at cent per annum interest, that
being the original estmats of board Of engineers O.
cost for the whole work, according to plan
the assessment on all the city would be very light
Respectfully submitted.
E. II. WooD,
JAS. SrARKEY,
T.J. CoNNELLY,
E. LANaEvIN,