The state rights democrat. [volume] (Albany, Linn County, Oregon) 1865-1900, 1889-02-08
TaE CITY CHARTER.
Editors penoel,at

Editors Democrat
GENTLEMEN :--Just now considerable
actions Ia being put forth to prevent the en-
aetmeni by the Legislature of the amend
inent to the City Charter Recommended
and prepared by the Council. Several fea-
sons are assigned why |, should not become
law, which desire to answer.
First Increasing the amount that the
city may go In debt, from two to FIVE thou.
sand dollars is not dangerous thing for q
city of $500 TO 1000 people In thriving
town to contemplate. II was much great.
er relatively speaking when the charter
was origionaily adopted, when It was made
$asoo, than It will be now at 5000. We
have out grown that period, and to keep
up with the progress of the country must
have some latitude. The city is frequently
In debt more than the $1,000, forced on
them by circumstances which cannot be
foreseen or prevented.
Second: Increasing the limit of taxa
tion from elk to eight mills Is not going to
be burdensome, especially II the returns In
the way improvements are what may fair.
y be expected from judcious use Of the
money. The health of the city demands a
system of sewerage which cannot be oh.
tained until we raise more funds. Eugene
City has asked the enactment OF a law 70
allow them to contract a debt OF "a 1000 for
sewerage purposes alone. They see and
know that II Will enhance the value OF their
property mere than sufficient &c pay for the
outlay and protect their health rs well.
Then there are lights and many other I'm.
provements that become necessary for the
convenience Of our people to have, which
cannot be obtained on six mill tax but
some Of our wise men say you must not In.
crease the taxes. The same men objected
to lighting the streets OF Albany with coal
oil lamps years ago for fear we might bank.
rupt the town, and later OF seriously OBJ
jected 10 lighting the streets by electricity.
They stayed at home evenings and Of
course thought others could do the same,
and therefore useless expense TO squand.
er money for the eonveniences of those
who were compelled TO do their shopping
after their days labor was ended. We have
some monuments In and about town illus.
trating the policy we are asked 10 pursue.
The west end OF First Street has felt It's
blighting hand. The fair grounds speaks
louder than words In condemnation of the
grab policy. Some OF the persons who are
taking an active part In defeating the
amendments, for this reason, have already
spent more money counting their time at
so cents per day than the extra tax would
amount TO In several years, judging by
their present assessment. They make no
Improvements themselves and want none
made around them. II jars their nerves TO
have little OF the moss knocked off their
backs. Push Is the waieh-word from this
time on and city without Il will soon be.
come dead and furnished haven OF refuge
for some of our capitalists.
Spokane Fails and Ellenshurgh have
outstripped their neighpors simply because
they were not afraid TO spend few dollars
In pushing their tewn 10 the front but
they were not hampered by men owning
the whole country adjacent 10 the town,
and refusing TO contribute for the general
welfare, as we have. IL land owner lays
out an addition to the city he should not
want to keep II out of the corporate limits
until he has sold every foot OF II TO save
taxes. Many persons have purchased lots
In these additions who desire 10 become
part OF the city and In fairness should be
included In It's boundaries. Is II the rights
OF one or two men, or the rights OF the
many, that are TO be considered in leglsla.
ton CITIZEN.