Pittsburg dispatch. [volume] (Pittsburg [Pa.]) 1880-1923, 1891-04-07
THE CITIZENS ACTION

The citizens meeting yesterday showed a
continuance of atinterest in the discussion
of municipal questions which characterized
the gathering Saturday. There was less of
the hot conflict of debate; but the business
OF examining and passing judgment on the
various measures was attended to thoroughly
and intelligently.
The great value of these meetings has
been the encouragement OF participation by
citizens in the discussion Of municipal ques-
tions Business men, capitalists, professional
men-all classes of citizens--Stood on equal
terms, had full chance to express their
opinions, and the result is that there is
more general understanding of the tenor of
the pending measures, and a more decisive
expression Of public opinion previous to
their passage than ever before. This is a
salutary and proper way of doing things.
If the same plan is carried out whenever
important matters are determined in future,
it will have a great effect In checking unwise
legislation and preventing municipal jobs.
As to the action of the meeting on the
pending bills, it is to be noted that bnt one
the curative bill for the collection of as
sessments for the pending improvement
has received unqualified Endorsement The
general street act and the bill for the fling
of liens were indorsed with some amend
mepts; while that for the amendment of the
charter, including the authorizing OF the
issue of certificates of Indebtedness. was in-
dorsed only after vital amendments. The
certificate plan was first restricted to pay
ment ior improvements already under con-
tract, then changed to authorize four per
cent fve-year bond limited to 81, 500, 600.
In that shape it passed, though no one
was able to explain in debate why it is nee
essary to run to the Legislature for author
its to do what can be done by Councils, sub
iect to the approval of popular vote. The
consequence Is that the meeting finally
indorsed the request for legislative authority
to issue bonds, which will be in violation of
the following clause of section 8. article tx,
of the Constitution: 'Nor shall any such
municipality or district incur any new
debt or increase its indebtedness to an
amount exceeding two per centum upon
such assessed valuation of property without
the assen: OF the electors thereof at public
election in such manner IS shall be pro-
vlded bv law" The net result of the action
on this point, therefore, is that while the
meeting for some unexplained reason was
possessed with the idea thst it would not
do to go directly to the people on munich
pal ordinance authorizing this loan, that will
have to be done anyhow. or the proposed
loan will be unconstitutional.
1t now remains to be seen what will be the
action of the Legislature on the recommend
ations. We encourage the hope that it will
pass the curative legislation as called for.
That measure Will then have to undergo the
severe scrutiny of the Governor. As to the
passage OF the other bills, or the shape in
which they will pass, there are very great
uncertainties Besides these measures, it
must also be noted that some reason or other
prevented the wharf and park bills from
being presented to the consideration of the
citizens in any shape whatever.