The Marion daily mirror. (Marion, Ohio) 1892-1912, 1907-03-28

SiVWh tnt1 SCcSOiiuiISHl, vi i"c-
tionalism was lost sight of by the
citizens, who We're seeing only the
good which would result to the
city as a whole,
But now that nm attempt has
been made to array those living
south of the railroads against those
residing north, it is difficult to
predict what factional fights will
develop and how badly the city
will be divided, to say nothing of
the effect upon the greatest project
which has ever been considered by
the people.
There is no questioning the as
sertion that if the railroads are
lowered, properties in the month
end will be benefited more than
any others. The proposition can
be reversed and made just rs ap-
plicable. Property lying north of
the railroads has been damaged
because Of the grade crossings more
tnan any other. Now if the north
side property owners are to be
asked TO pay more for the low
ering Of the tracks, why should
they not be paid damages III ease
the improvements are not made?
Should the city a. 4 w,ole
shoulder the entire thirty-five per-
cent of ne cost of the improve
ment' the greatest pro- portion of
the cost will fall upon the north
side property owners, to the man.
I'm other wprds the man living
north will pay a greater portion
OF the cost of the improvement
than the man living south, for the
reason that the increased valuation
OF his property upon the tax dupli-
cate will be greater. Under the plan
which has been suggested of Sc
curing subscriptions from north
side property owners, for an i'm
provcment which will enhance the
value of their properties, then in.
ereasing the valuation upon the
tax duplicate, the north side man
would be paying doubly for the
Improvement, while the south side
man would be relieved Of part
of the cost which he. in Justice.
should bear.
For years the north side has been
1aying approximately from one
,hird to two-fifths OF the taxes
't the city. Tney have uncomplain-
Ingly helped to pay the city's Dor
lin of the paving which has been
lone south of the railroads. North
Of the railroads the improvements
have been limited TO few streets.
1t has not been often that the
people OF the South side have
been called upon 10 help pay for
improvements in the north. All
Cf this time the north has been un-
complainingly assisting the south
III getting the numerous improve
menis of which Malionites are so
justly proud and for which the
city is famed. Now when the peo-
pie of the north part of the city
have a prospect of getting an i'm
provement which will be especially
valuable to them, the cry is set up
that they should be made TO bear
the greater part OF the expense.
The contention that abolishing
the grade crossings would benefit
the north end alone could not be
made by any thinking person. Any
Improvement which would result in
such an increased protection to life
and property cannot but work to
the interest of every person in the
city. The better the facilities for
traffic to and from the sections
of a city, the closer the people are
bound together because the more
mutual their interests become.
So it is with these two
sections Of Marion. The reduction
of the dangers at the grade cross.
inss in the city will bind together
the north and south parts, an
undivided citizenship working for
the advancement OF the city along
all lines. One great step toward
a Greater Marion. But, let the
north become imbued with the idea
that tie people Of the south are
opposing them and the mischief
Inga hA IL.