, 1879-06-19
MICHIGAN AVENUE BOULEVARD,


Of tho Michigan avenue boulevard project,
vas probably duo in tho main to statomonts
made by Aid. Cut1ERToS, who led the dog
in.thc-manger opposition which tho West
Sii1o Aldermen aro making to n matter lint
concerns only tho South Division. These
statetnents wore as follows: ~ That '::'i00,-
600 ltaR Idle in the hantls Of tho south Park
Commissioners, which was COLLECTED from
tho property along the Western nvenuo
boulevard, and that tho Commissioners
might similarly collect md hold money
asscssed upon Michigan avenue property,
instead Of mixing tho improvement; (2) that
tho city at larga would DO obliged to pay:
for the Intersections, mud it's proportion
Of the atraot fronting on Lako Park, thus
compelling tho taxpayers Of tho West Side
to contribute to tho exclusive benefit OF tho
residents OF the South Division.
Tho frat statement was absolutely incor-
root, and the second wholly unfair and miG-s
leading.
Az q matter Of fact. roported by the Trens-
urer Of tho South Park Board md confirmed
by tho commissioners, tho Board has less
.tARA A9oHVtIHN VA AAAN1 BIZ t0AAf HAANA4F VAIL
the accrotion from tax-uolleotions in tho
meantime, wilt barely suffice to meot tho Oh
legations Of the Doartl which tnature July /.
Tho whole amount OF money expended on
Western avenue boulevard is les8 than
$50, 600, and SO per cont Of that amount, ns
well ns tho same proportion Of all expendi-
lures for the improvement aud nlaintonnuce
~ nn.14 S4x,t T.. A-st.
uted BY taxos levied in the South Division OF
the city. Honca b1r. Cu11EaroN waa totally
mtsinformod In regard to the Western ave.
nuo case, and Ind no warTant for concluding
TINT tho South Park Board would first COL
lect tho money from Michigan ayon,ie prop
orty-owners to improve tho stroet md then
neglect to make tho improvement.
The assertion that tho West Division will
be unfairly taxod to pay proportion Of the
city's cost for improving tho Intersections,
waB IN exhibition Of very small sectional
n,eannoss. Doesn't Aid. CuI1znToN know
that one-half Of all tho city taxes
is paid by tho South Division, while
the Wost Division paya only about
two.sixths, aud tho North Division abous
onc-sixth? But, as tho Wcst Division has
mora than ona-halt of the entiro population,
it naturally draws considerably more from
tho General Tar-Funl than it contributes
thoreto. TO every pollco-station, onginc-
house, and sohool-house, and for every intor-
section Of pavement, every foot Of sewerage,
and overy extension Of water-p PIPE In tho Weat
Diglsion,-in ono word, for all the benehts
Of City Government enjoyed by the West
Division,-the taxpayors Of tho South Divis-
ion contribute nearly twice as much ns tia
actnai beueaciaries thereof IN the West Dl.
vision. Isn't It rather low, under these cir
cumssances, for any West Side Alderman ia
object to tho Michigan avenue boulevard,
bueauso n very small proportion Of tho cost
Of paving tho intersections mhy fall upon
the Taxpayers Of tho Wost Division?
II Aid. Cu1LERroN made his objections to
this scheme in good faith last Monday night,
and if the West Side Aldermen voted with
him In good faith. they will withdraw their
opposition now TINT Its injustioe has been SO
clearly yet forth. But IT this opposition was
| founded in sectional Bpito rathor than upon
,uisinformation, which wo are not yet willing
to believe, the fact will appenr from con.
,tinuation Of sucl. opposition in spite OF ita
demonstrated injustice,