The Columbian. [volume] (Bloomsburg, Pa.) 1866-1910, 1891-05-08

the well being Of the communities thus
governed.
Without the cities there are in this
State us boroughs, only three of
which are located in this county. And
we venture the assertion as unchallen-
ged that no one once obtaining
charter ever abandoned or surrendered
it. 1t has been considered the part
of wisdom by all governments to Or
ganize municipal corporations under
general laws. 1t is earnestly urged by
counsel for the exceptants that be-
cause the inhabitants within the pro-
posed lines of the borough are peace
full and law abiding people, and gener-
ally agree with one another, that there
fore no necessity exists for, nor can
any benefit be derived by granting
them charter of incorporation into
borough. In answer to this it may be
said that for the maintenance and
support of better schools, for the lay
ing out and repair of streets and high
ways, for the directness, uniformity and
grade of pavements, or side walks, for
the location and material in the matter
of erecting buildings, for the general
safety and protection from fire, for
the better preservation Of the public
health, for the prevention of the spread
Of contagious disease, for the maintain
ance of internal police to preserve, on
all occasions, peace and good order
and for the power to levy and collect
taxes to d"fray the expense of these
necessary and prudential affairs. bor-
ough organization may be necessary.
The burden of the administration Of
the affairs Of the borough will fall ex-
clusively upon the property owners
within its limits. The owners of farm
land within the territory proposed to
be incorporated are making no objec-
ton, and considering those owning
farms Immediately along and adjoin-
ing the lines Of the survey, who did
object to being included and were
necessarily left out, the lines establish
ed are perhaps, and according to the
best of our knowledge. the best that
could be run. The creation of bor-
ough as laid out and reported may
and perhaps will as set forth in the ex-
ceptions, subject citizens Of the unin-
corporated portion of Greenwood
township to slightly increased rate
of school and road taxes and in some
instances to increase travel and incon-
venience in going to schools and cleo
tions. But these disadvantages will
soon be overcome and all property
within the township increased in value
by the growth and improvement of
the borough by providing better facili-
ties for employment, trade and COM
merce and are not to be regarded as
sufficient to overbalance the general
advantages to be gained by the public
at large by the establishment Of the
borough. The fair intendment of the
law is that municipal corporations are
created and exist for the public good
and advantage. Not for the benefit
of their officers or ofparticular individ-
uals or classes. th
Especially is this so under our
government. In these little govern
ments are where our people have ac-
quired the habits Of subordination,
obedience to law and practical know
ledge of civil government.
An eminent and modern jurist has
said in speaking of the necessity
of municipal corporations, "Here
have been the seats of modern civil
zation, the nurseries of public spirit
and the centres of constitutional
liberty"
The numerous boroughs which have
been created in modern times are O
infinite advantage to society.
They bind men more closely to
gether, and educate them better in 10
cal and political government than does
any other form of association.
1t is founded upon the idea Of popu
lar representative government. Tht
right of supervision and control restec
in the councils as the immediate rep
resentative Of the popular will is ex
erted, enforced and determined b,
constantly recurring annual elections
Their powers are defined and fixet
by general laws.
The extension of the right to vot,
for officers annually to all who are tC
be affected by their action, makes th'
citizen familiar with public affairs ant
creates in him love for liberty and
regard for private rights of person ant
property which are characteristic O
the best government.
Moved by these considerations ant
with great respect for the right of a
parties concerned we are constraine
to confirm the judgment Of the gran
jury.
And now May 4th 1891. The e,
Ceptions to the confirmation of the re
port of the grand jury are dismissed
and their report certifying that it is e,
pedient that the village of Millvill