The Lambertville record. [volume] (Lambertville, N.J.) 1872-1968, 1880-06-30
For THE RECORD.
NEEDED IMPRO VEMENTS TO OUI
CITY.

CITY.
That there Is a necessity for an advance in
those arrangements and appliances for the
comfort, convenience and enjoyment of our
city, aud other less favored localities, all the
practical facilities for increasing their knowl-
edge and entertainment, by schools, libraries
and pleasant places for recreation and exer-
else, is most evident.
The census returns about to be given, will
show that our city has not kept pace with
those sections that have exerted themselves
to make their towns and surroundings at
tractive, by good roads and we'll cultivat-
cd grounds and by the introduction of water
for family use, and good drainage.
The communication in The RECORD of last
week, signed Delaware" is evidently from
one who fully understands the requirements
that are essential to the welfare of this city,
aud should early be taken in hand, and he
very adroitly shows that there are parties. or
clques of persons who fully understand, and
comprehend the Importance of certain meas
ures, in which they have become interested,
and they talk as If the city should appropri-
ate at once the funds needed to accomplish
their plans, and il it is intimated, that other
things should first be accomplished, and take
precedence of their wishes, they Immediately
commence an opposition, and unite them
selves with the conservative party, the MEM
bers of which are too indolent, and selfish to
exert themselves in any measure Of general
welfare to the city, and are so anxious to keep
out of debt, and so fearful that Council
might be elected that would not properly
apply the funds to their appropriate purpose
and will do nothing.
When improvements are suggested, the
cities of Newark, Jersey City, Elizabeth, &C.,
are given as examples of the bad effects of
running in debt to make improvements.
On the other hand there are cities like Bal
timore, Wilmington, &C., that determined TO
make improvements for the general good of
the citizens, they formed their plans with
care and discretion had estimates made of the
cost, levied a tax to pay the interest on the
sum to be invested and portion over, then
issued bonds and placed them on the market
to the amount of $4,000, 000 they were read
lily taken at aud under 4 per cent. and a pre-
MUM and now parks and bridges and water
supply is being rapidly constructed, and with
in year or two the citizens will have the en-
joyments afforded by these improvements.
Their property will be increased in value
and the average taxes not perceptibly increas-
ed.
1t is mistaken notion, and most unjust
principle TO covet, or enjoy comfort, an adj
vantage or luxury without paying full val
ne for it in money or in labor, and those who
have these advantages should be taxed to pay
for them.
The subject of taxation for defraying the
expenses of a city government is but little
understood by tax payers generally. Every one
complains of the large amount of their tax
bills and all suppose that their neighbor gets
more benefit for the amount paid than they
do.
The owners of property on Bridge street,
Coryell, Main and Union, have right to de-
mand that their portion of the city be we'll
drained, streets kept in good order and well
lighted, because they are in the business por-
ton of the city, their property is valued at
high rates, and their taxes proportionately
large, whilst on Cottage Hill there is not the
business, the value of property, nor the me-
cessity of the same expenditure and yet
Cottage Hill should have every facility given
to it to make it valuable and desirable.
"Delaware after admitting that very