The times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1890-1903, 1893-01-17

d,strthute the street fund according 10
wards"-'rhe Times taking the affirmative,
"E." the negative 3D." however. does
not abandon all defense Of the system In
use In Richmond" because he comments
on the fourteenth distribution accord
ing to wards and taxes paid FROM tne
beginning ID" has recommended uis
amendment. first on December 9th, when
he says, 1.-THE only flaw or spoils is that
distribution is arithmetic, and not pro-
portionate to taxes paid and again on
January Sth. they would come nearer 10
equality and justice II they distributed
according to taxes paid" B. there
fore, ahandons nothing, but still con-
tends that the present system If amended
according 10 taxes paid would under
present conditions be furthest possible
from 'spolls and nearest possible TO
equity
Nor is IL "the essence OF BIS propo-
slti0n that whatever is contributed by
locality shall be spent on that locality
for on January 9Th "B." says. taxes, OF
course, may be levied on all for City Hall,
police. courts Of justice. &c, because the
interests OF all are thereby subserved."
"B." Is careful to discriminate between
the general or essential and the particu-
lar or non-essentiaI though desirable.
Thus for the general or necessary. but
strictly limited expenses of government
army. navy, courts of justice, civil
list &c.-taxes must be general, h0ush
expenditures must necessarilyte local, be-
cause all are essentially Interested, but
taxes in :he guse Of protective tariffs,
even granting they bring the greatest
good TO the greats number" are con-
demned because their benefits are local
and partial.
But to provide for the particular" or
non-essential though desirable democ-
racy makes the political and economic
unit as small as possible. not only State
and county, but township not only city
but ward, 50 that while there may be
general taxes for State. there may also be
particular taxes for township, so that
locality may derive the greatest possible
advantage from local taxes. If taxes, not
general but particular or local, can be
levied on all to be spent in one or several
localities, on the plea Of greatest good
OF greatest number'-an ignis fatuus-we
are remanded 10 the days OF the Stamp
Act, when Great Britain governed on this
principle and our mouths are closed TO the
iniquity Of protective tariffs whose claim
to merit Is based on greatest good of
greatest number
Instead OF government and social or
DER bfilE Impossible on -. > piliiciplt
of local benefit from local taxes govern
ment and social order are endangered
when We take from one TO spend IN an
other, and it is because castles, classes and
irresponsible majoriies levy general taxes
and spend them on particular objects,
mostly their own good and pleasure. that
socialism and anarchy are so threatening
abroad, and are not entire strangers at
home. Indeed, constitutional government
is mostly an invention 10 guard agans,
taking from one TO give to another, such
rs taking from one ward 70 improve an
other.
But coming down TO practice, r. af-
firms there is not a ward that does not
need more than the few thousands an
nuaIy allotted It for street improve
ment Thus. within a few hundred yards
Of where "B." sits, on the borders Of two
old wards, many tens Of thousands can
be spent TO advantage, and throughout
each ward there are many localities
where the annual allowance for a ward
can be profitably expended And instead
of Franklin street from Capitol Square
to Belvidere street not wanting dollar,
"B." thinks that thousands can be spent
on il, especially it's grades, TO greatest ad-
vantage. The present mode Of allotting
the street fund.- imperfect as it is, Is.
therefore, not Spots, out pFdctlcdllS
giving each ward its own.
TO make the present mode as fair as
possible. the allotment to each ward is
placed I'm the hands Of its Councilmen.
and where any question arises whether
its allotment be spent I'm draining q
quagmire" or a street needing nothing, -
it should not be difficult 10 decide. When
an improvement concerns adjacent wards,
their Councilmen after consultation. de-
eide what shall or shall not be done
Councilmen being In close touch with con-
sttuents. it is not likely they will be
moved by "spoils." Certainly nothing can
be fairer than allowing the Counci.men Of
each ward 10 divide the expenditure OF
it's proportion of the street fund.
We should always remember that !m-
proved streets are convenience. not a
necessity. and that therefore they do
not stand on the same high plain as
support 90 government. yet as ali are in
terestrd IN streets. all should be taxed
10 keep streets in good order and az this
is done, your principle that "a part Of
the public money can be spent 10 advan-
tace" on streets is satisfied. When, how
ever streets are 10 be graded "urbed,
gutte-ed and paved, or either, ana side
walks laid the different Interests benc-
nted should be taxed accordingly the
city in rart-bccauac the city as unit
is benefited by every street improve
mont, ard property owners on eacn side
OF the improved street in part. ard some
times the properly on either end OF the
Improvement. This principle, as hereto
fore stated. was fully recognized BY The
annexed district when {, agreed to pay
The whole expense Of improving It's
streets.
This discussion may possibly alter the
mode o. allotment 81 tho street fund, bat
beyond that The Times in spite of its
strong words. viii hardly get the Council
20 go.
BY tho way. "B." IS grieved 10 find The
Times and Mckinley arguing on the same
lines-The Times for street Improvement,
Mckinley FOR tariff. j..