St. Paul daily globe. [volume] (Saint Paul, Minn.) 1884-1896, 1886-03-26
VOICE OF THE PEOPLE.
The Feeling of Citizens at Merriam
Park.
To the Editor of the Globe:

To the Editor of the Globe:
In your issue OF the 23d inst the meeting of
some of the citizens Of Merriam Park with the
board Of public works on the matter OF the
assessment for extending Prior avenue, which
also involves a roadway under the Milwaukee
railway track, is referred to in such a way
that feel 1t my duty to state the facts con-
corning all tue matters referred to in your re-
port OF this matter.
We went before the board on q notice to
appear and as property holders affected by
the proposed work. The whole tone OF your
report would indicate a condit. on of things at
Merriam Park that has never existed. As to
the merits OF this case, il can b. shown that
this assessment is not made according to the
benefits received. that it is not based on any
fair consideration of the question. 1t is a
fact, that IL this work is done, il would not
benefit the residents of Merriam Park to the
extent of 81, and yet 1t is proposed 10 assess
p operty that has already paid an assessment
Tor grading the street on which it is located,
TO do work on another street, and in order to
do this, IL is proposed to change the name of
the street on which the work is to be done so
as TO fasten this assessment on the Prior
avenue property. All we asked of the board
was, that the assessment be made accCr ding
to the benefits received.
The depot is located so that this work would
be q great benefit to Union Park, but il woulI
not be used by the residents on the south of
the track of the railway; Notwithstanding
this, the assessment is the same. There is
ali e ldy q roadway under the track, just west
OF the depot, so that the claim OF the neceS-
sity for this roadway just east of the depot is
very weak. The present roadway could be
put in first-class condition at a Traction OF the
cost proposed. Fur h T, IL this work was of
any value TO Merriam Park 1t would not be
Just TO make the whole assessment against
Prior avenue property, because the benefit,
If any, would be no greater to that avenue
than others.
We we're invited to appear before the
board, but the impression Of our reception
made upon witness Of themeeting, who had
no interest in tho matter. was expressed by
the remark: ut looks TO me as though the
board think these men have no business
here, and the proper thing is TO treat them
accordingly"
Those VINO appeared from Merriam Park
are referred 10 as the same faction who CD
posed incorporation into the city. No charge
could be more unjust; there is not and never
has been any faction in Merriam Park.
When that question was being considered it
was decided by Il full vote of ali the residents
of the park to appoint committee to oppose
the proposition. There was no faction,
there was no difference of opinion
at that time. AS j was chairman OF
that committee, IL became my dutJ to take
an active part in the matter and faithfully
carried out the wishes OF the people to the
hest OF my ability. Afterwards mee.Ing
was held at the Park, and / understand that
it was decided TO withdraw opposition. was
ut that time in the South.
Your report refers to remark made by
| Gen. Becker that Iii this is the spirit of the
people of Merriam Park they had better build
! a Chinese wall ut once" Not word was
said in that meeting to justify such an as
persion on these people. There is not a COM
munity in the city OF st. Paul against whom
such an imputation would be more shameful.
know of no man in the community VINO is
not in favor of all needful and proper i'm
prOvements and is willing to pay tor them
on the basis of equity. If there are any hon
ors 10 be won in such charges, any man is
welcome 10 the laurels. / have known Gen.
Becker for a long time; was surprised 10
hear such a remark from him, and don {
think he would want 1t Understood that he
has any such opinion of this community as
this remark would imply.
A. D. ROBBINS.
Merriam PARK March "a