The St. Louis Republic. [volume] (St. Louis, Mo.) 1888-1919, 1903-08-02
woRLD's-1so4-FAlR.
CHEAP AT THE PRICE.

Citisens are ungrateful, and for the sake Of main
Aining the equilibrium Of the civic regime 1t is per
hapD well that this Is So Unrelenting exaction or
tie peoples part ID necessary TO high standard OF
public service. An attitude Of grateful acknowledge
msnt might Imply that government" came by way
Of favor. whereas 1t comes by obligation. The rein
tioa between the people and government Is con
uActual The citizen pays, or presumably pays, q
mn coosideration for public benefits
e can do no harm. though, for the citizen now and
thsn to check up his own side Of the account-to
credit government with its due. The average citizen
yAyB small sum into the public Golfers each year.
1Asse have been times In the record Of civilization
WHEN he delivered almost the whole Of his pos
ssoGlooL In St Louis, where the rate Is approxi-
0a1y tie rate for this country, the citizens taxes
hardly amount, say, to a months rent. The aver.
- ctissn who owns his home pays, say $50 taxes.
Al what does he receive therefor?
y 10 contemplate the munincence Of the municipaIi-
Y n IT. provisions for the householder is almost to
Inspire thankfulness to occasion wonder ut
the excellent economy Of the municipal system.
Dvsrywhere almost in every department of the home
arrangement Is there evidence Of the municipal boun-
T. The weipaved street. with its gutter for drain
aSe. the sidewalk. the lighting facility, the sewer
TIE water MAN. the alley-an these are provided or
kepe u order. Garbage collection, fire and sanitary
inspection police and fire protection, and sprnkllng
must b included within the considerations
How many OF the householders temporal affairs
are made. the object of municipal concern How
cften IRE the ctys employees at work about the prem
les for the security Of his health safety and COM
fort Besides the material blessings" IL they may be
- termed. are the larger blessings rights" and
privileges" which are bought with taxes. The $50
-pa1s tariff and excise taxes-buys the adminstra-,
Ira Of triplex government city, State and national
CITY. State and national lawmakers, Judges and ex-
ecuves are laboring for the citizen in his pay An
army and . navy are in his hire. The great system
OF government with its multiplex facilities and func
tionA a6ording every necessity. comfort and con-
yenlence that ingenuity can DEVISE abors for him
unceoslngy day and night and he contributes there
FOR. directly, but his taxes.
unconscously, he contributes part Of his energy
-the economsts demonstrate that he, provided he be
ene1eed tnlany legitimate occupation and is no mere
druee, gives portion Of his daily labor toward the
malntenance OF government-but the only payment
which he feels Is the insignidcant tax. Truly the
cltieeA seems to be pampered by government.
Recognition OF the vnst return for his mite must
ccnducc to an appreciation Of the perfect union,
the establishment Of Justice and the security of do
nestic tranquility which the wise architects of the
rivfc fortune sought to provide. The common de-
Tense the general welfare and the blessings of liberty
nsen extraordinarily cheap ut the price.