The Minneapolis journal. [volume] (Minneapolis, Minn.) 1888-1939, 1903-11-28
WHAT OTHER PEOPLE THINK
Merger of City and County.
@ Editor of The Journal.

For some time past I have been expect
ing that some one would come forward
and take up the subject Of consolidating
our city and county governm ent. A feeble
attempt was made by ST. Paul during the
last legislature; but to no effect Why it
failed 1 do not know, but I suppose the
people were not thoroly informed on the
matter
We hear so much in our own city about
/! the very large tax. that is exacted, and yet
we are always poor, and have nothing to
show for the enormous expenditures that,
are made. This is a constant complaint.
and our best citizens seem to be discour-
aged, and at loss to account for this con"
tinual drain upon their purses. Nothing
is accomplished, and no results, yet taxes
are as high as ever.
| - Mr. Editor, do not pretend to be COM
petent to explain, or to give reason for
all the waste Of public funds, but do be-
lieve there is something radically wrong in
our city and county government The eX-
-pense Is entirely too great, and ! think
that one of the leaks is in our dual form
of government. What [ mean to say is
that q dual form Of government for the
city of Minneapolis is not necessary, and
If some competent person will take this
matter UP and investigate, he will find that
at least per cent or 40 per cent could be
saved the taxpayers by consolidating the
lit seems strange that on account of one
twelfth Of the population of Hennepin
county the expensive machinery of a
county government must be maintained,
and, when you come to taxable property,
you will find that Minneapolis has nearly
nineteen twentieths Of the valuation, and
the burden. falls in same proportion upon
Minneapolis in support of the county staff
Of officers. This may not be the exact
proportion, but nearly SO from the figures
at hand.
There is no reason why this useless out
lay cannot be saved. Then we can probe
still further. and we will find that our dis
Itrict. court is too expensive. in that We
have too many judges, with their retinues.
There are at. present six judges, whereas
four would amply suffice, as any unbiased
and independent attorney will tell you, Is
not this expenditure worth looking into?
Then in our city government, / would
| say that one alderman from each ward
should be chosen, instead of two, as at
',present. II would also do away with the
street commissioners; and place the streets
in charge of the engineering department.
where the work belongs, and 1t would be
better to- make this department respon-,
sible for the condition Of our >=streefss AT
present no one is responsible. ~
| There is plenty Of room for reform and
change along these lines, and If it could
paved and In better condition, also better
/, lighted, we would have more money for
Eparks and their care, and would realize
something for the. large amount of money
/ that is collected annually in taxes.
I have simply made these suggestions
| with the hope that some competent person
Tor persons, would take them up and make
| a thoro investigation as to what might be
done to relieve US of this constant expendi-
ture, without, anything to show for it. In
making these suggestions I do not mean
to reflect upon any officer, but do mean
/ to say, that our system of government is
very faulty and expensive 1t Is also an
opportune time to take this up for consid-
leration, as a. new system of accounting is
about to be established. and might we not
go a little further and devise new form
Lof government for our city and county,
and adopt the system of accounting for It
at the. same time? "A Citizen.