The St. Louis Republic. [volume] (St. Louis, Mo.) 1888-1919, 1903-06-23
BE Sure TO VOTE TO-DAY.

Todays election is important No candidates arc
seeking office. but distinct principle of municipal
right is at issue. Unless this principle is approved by
the voters to-day the city will be without authority
and to effect advancement The principle is one
that must appeal to every citizen.
Do not rely upon your neighbor. Do not surmise
that your vote is not needed. Do not remain away
from the polls through unwillingness to study the
proposition. or because of iukewarmness or over
caution.
Citizens who are inclined to think. who understand
public affairs who believe in the high destiny of the
city and who belong to the progressive force in the
community. will early to-day. All others will stay
away from the polls.
The citizens who qualified to vote but refrains
from doing to-day will be under suspicion of caring
or knowing nothing about public business. He may be
clasSed with the pessimist who "forgets' on election
day and grumbles afterwards about the public service
The polls will open at o'clock this morning in
every of the 1913 precincts and they will close
until O'Clock this evening. There thirteen hours
and convenient place in which to vote. Therefore
one who is qualified offer plausible for not
voting, especially since principle is involved II
every good citizen the amendment will be
adopted if the good citizens neglect their duty the
amendment will be lost.
The proposition is simple: so simple that it could
scarcely be misunderstood. 1t provides for necessary
amendment to the City Charter, an amendment that
will neither increase the public debt increase taxa
ton Its purpose is to give the city authority that it
should have, but does not possess.
At present the city lacks authority increase the
bonded Indebtedness for that class of work which
known and described permanent public improve
ments. The term permanent public improvements is
selfexplanatory; it any public Improvement of
permanent character. such public buildings. The
taxation. If it is adopted. as it should be- the
city will merely have authority to call another election
at any time in the future, and submit bondissue
proposition to the voters.
The practical effect of the amendment can be eluc
dated by ordinary illustration For this reason let
us presume that the City Hospital had been destroyed
by fire yesterday. new building would have to be
erected. The city would have money to do this. 1t
could not even appeal to the voters for permission
issue bonds. That is the city's position under the
Charter.
Say. on the other hand. that the Charter amend
ment were adopted And say, again, that the City
Hospital had been destroyed by fire and that new
building would have to be constructed. What would
the city do? 1t would call an election and ask the
qualified voters to sanction the of bonds to
amount sufficient for putting up the building.
The point is clear The amendment will give the
city authority to increase the bonded Indebtedness
hut not to issue bonds make real increase how
ever small in the public debt distinction must be
made between authority to increase the public debt
for permanent public improvements and the power
issue bonds. This amendment will simply give the
city the authority to submit to the voters.
election at some future time, proposition issue
bonds for permanent public improvements. This
amendment will not increase the public debt and it
will not increase taxation.
That the city should have authority to submit
propositions to the voters cannot be disputed The
amendment should be adopted. 1t is necessary. 1t
will be adopted if good citizens do their duty to-day
by voting. There should be large vote and it should
be unanimous for the amendment Vote yes"