The Saint Paul globe., 1904-08-25
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THE WORK OF RESTORATION

st. Paul has gone about the repair
ing of storm damages in the most
practical fashion. Every movement
that has been made thus far can be
approved unequivocally. The city
council has authorized the expenditure
of such funds as may be necessary
from the moneys at it's command
There is no niggardliness, no dallying,
but only an earnest desire to set the
city again to rights and to take up
the burden that has fallen heavily on
all.
We approve most heartily the re-
fusal of all in authority to stand upon
technicalities in time of common
distress. 1t is an open question: or at
least it might have been held to be
such, whether the city or the property
owner is legally responsible for re-
moving distractions to travel caused
by the fall of trees from private
grounds across the city highways. But
no such bubble was raised, and the
city has proceeded to do the work, as
it ought in this time of common trou-
it would have been inadmissible to re.
pair wooden roofs within the fire lin
its with shingles, but the mayor told
people to go ahead. This is admirable
common sense and common humanity.
In time like this we do not stand
upon nice distinctions. The important
thing is to restore the city at the
earliest moment possible to the ccndi-
tion that prevailed prior to the storm,
and to give from the public funds all
the assistance possible and legitimate
to the people who have already lost Sc
verely.
The bill which the city has to foot as
aresult of the storm will be a heavy
one. The streets have had to be, put in
order, and this has been done or is still
going forward. The cost, of course,
must be met. The high bridge must
be restored to traffic: and the proba-
bility, is that this will cost more than
is now anticipated. Two school build
ings were partially wrecked; and
again the right course has been pur-
sued in going about the repair Of
these Immediately. securing authority
and funds after the work has been
done. Everybody knows that both will
be forthcoming.
There is still much to be done, and
long bill that will have to be sent in.
Money will be needed to put the pub
lie parks in order, and it should be
forthcoming. Money will be required
to meet individual cases of suffering
and destitution. The action which has
already been taken will have to be
supplemented; and the need will be
more accurately understood and in
greater detail as the days go by. Nest
of all, the House of the Good Shepherd
must be cared for; and we think that
private beneyolence and the energy of
our representative commercial bodies
could find no worthier object than this
and no more congenial task than the
restoration of this splendid institu-
ton to an enlarged capacity for the
usefulness that has made it beloved
and blessed in this community. AL
these things are to be done and are on
the way toward doing; and The
Globe desires to thank and to COM
pliment the agencies, both private and
public, that have risen so splendidly
and yet with such admirable balance
of mind and common sense to the un-
expected and unusual emergency.
Let us drop one suggestion right
here in order that it may become IA
miliar to the public mind. This ca