The daily Cairo bulletin. (Cairo, Ill.) 1878-1???, 1884-06-18
The Daily Bulletin.
Is 1t Right?

4
and amended by Alderman Wood instruct.
Ing Corporation Counsellor Gilbert to re-.
port an ordinance providing for the collec-
ton OF special assessments tor the recent
raising of Ohio Levee, between Fourth and
Fourteenth Streets, from the owners of the
property abuting said improvement. 1t
was referred to the Counsellor who has not
yet reported the ordinance. SO far as the
resolution is concerned, the Corporation
Counsellor is not at liberty at all to con-
slider the legality of the ordinance he is
requested to report. The resolution simply
requires him to draft the ordinance and
report it to the Council; bnt whether the
Counsellor will cOufne his action to the
limits set by the resolution remains to be
seen. We are led to make these remarks
by way Of introducing the subject to the
public and by way of call.
ing attention to several cir
cumstances connected with the matter
which furnished to our perhaps imperfect
understanding ample ground for the convic
ton that the whole proceeding, even in its
inception, is out of order, illegal, void, and
unjust.
1t is unjust to the owners of the property
sought to be assessed, because it il in direct
contrast with that which governed all SIM
liar Improvements previously made in other
parts Of the city. This improvement was
not street improvement at all it was
never looked upon as such until the gen.
tlemen named reflected the lights of their
intellects upon the subject several months
after the work had been finished. 1t was
q raising of the levee for the protection of
the entire city against future floods, just as
the work on New Levee Street was. The
work on New Levee Street was all done at
the common cost, but that on Ohio Levee
Street is to be done by special assessment!
Is this rightl What is
known as tie special assessment
plan, aims to make the property benefited
by an improvement pay for such improve
ment in proportion to the benefit it derives
therefrom and as the raising of the levees
controlled by the city benefits all property
in the city alike, it stands to reason that
the cost of such raising should be equally
distributed all over the city.
But the Aldermen who cham
pioned the resolution profess to be.
lieve that, to certain extent,
at least, the work done on Ohio Levee was
a local street improvement, and that, to the
extent as it was, it should be paid for by The
owners OF "the property abutting 1t. LIE
US see if this position will bear the test o
reason, under all the circumstances. Ohio
Levee was already gravelled it was gravel
led about eight years ago at the expense OF
the owners of the property AUDITING IT. II
was yet in good condition, comparatively,
when the work in question was done. 1t is
admitted that repairing was necessary, but
it is probable that carload of gravel,
judiciously used, would have placed the
street in as good condition for driving pur-
| poses as 1t is at present. Assuming, now,
for the sake Of argument, that the gentle.
men ore really right, both from legal and
equitable point of view, In claiming that
the owners of the property abutting the
work done should pay pro rata their share
Of the cost of so much of it as would have
been necessary to place the street in good
repair, then the said owners could be asked
TO pay for only about one car load of the
four or five barge loads of gravel used in
the whole work, which would probably moi
cost $25, including the work of spreading
it upon the street. But TO make the assess
ment for this work, as required by law
would cost the city not less than $50
And do the Aldermen believe it to be the
part of wide economy to ex.
pend $50 in order to col
lect $25. Will the Aldermen say thai
they gave this matter all due thought be.
fore introducing that resolution7 that they
have slept souudly every night since, and
have had no reason to change their minds
But if no other consideration condemned
this resolution, the fact that it seeks to
discriminate unjustly against the owners
of the levee property would be sufficient
cause for its peremtory dismissal. 1t would
violate rule which has been observed by
the City Council for many years, with
reference to all our streets. This rule is
that TIE streets, after having Teen filled OF
paved by special assessment, shall be kept
in repair at the common cost and although
by this rule the car load of gravel thai
would have been necessary to place Ohio
Levee Street 10 good repair, and the cost Of
! distrll utlnp IT, should he Maid for ont OF