The Cairo bulletin., 1910-08-23


strong reasons against adopting the
ordinance. First it would be great
additional tax burden upon the peo-
pie of Cairo, who We're already taxed
for improvements heavier than ever
before--they were being taken and
taxed and taxed Some years ago
they had contributed to build road
in Kentucky and then had joined
Mound City in building a county road
to the bridge and beyond. He did not
believe it would benefit the mer-
chants OF Cairo to build roads to the
stores in Thebes and Tamms and
other places. Farmers would not
drive ten or fifteen miles TO Cairo
when they could find stores nearer
by In 1901 the legislature had pass
ed a law to protect cities from the
heavy road tax. providing that all
cities should be excluded from dis
Itricts then existing or thereafter TO
be formed. This was intended to pro-
tect cities from the abuses OF road
commissioners, such as occurred
when the commissioners paid the
Illinois Central Co. $4,000 for putting
in subway in the Drainage District.
The other reason was that the peo
| pie of the city would nave no control
over the money they paid into the
1 u1+
TO $500 paid by the people outside
of the city, and there was no limit IT
time during which it must be paid.
as the city could not withdraw from
the district after once joining it, The
| city should have something to say.
The people of Cairo never voted at
road elections and the voters outside
the city would control the fund and
the work. The ordinance was hold
lup Of the property owners of Cairo
and they were taxed to death now.
Alderman Williams did not believe
| the people Of Cairo would sleep Oh
their rights in such an important mat
ter. when the question was fairly
presented to them. They can elect
commissioners who will spend the
money as they (the people, demand.
The merchants of Cairo needed the
troads to extend their business and
he felt they could be depended upon
TO see that the money was properly
ispent, as well as the people generally.
| 1t was not to be assumed that the
maximum rate of 50 cents would be
assessed indefinitely. The people
icould elect the right kind of men as
commissioners who would see that
the money was spent right and re.
duce the rate as the work progressed.
| Alderman Neff agreed with Attor.
ney Leek. He did not think the
proposition was good from a business
point of view because there was no
| limit to the expenditure of thous-
ands upon thousands of dollars pro-
posed to be raised. He would have
| IL in black and white, fixing a limit.
1t was a 6 to | shot, the people OF
Cairo paying Sc to every 81 paid by
the people outside the city. OF $4,000
lcollected the people of Cairo would
Ipay $4,000, and of 100000 collected
they would pay all But $4,000 The
! merchants OF Cairo had as much in
terest in Missouri or Kentucky as in
Alexander county, and there was no
reason why they should not build
roads there. They had done enough
in the Drainage District. The people
OF the road district should issue
bonds to the amount Of $4,000 and
build what roads they needed.
Mayor Parsons declared he hal
given his time and money to build
roads In Cairo, and would contribute
his share to build roads outside the
city. But he would not advocate
pulling Cairo peoples money INFO
other peoples hands to spend, with.
out limit, or specifying how it shall
he spent. The proposition looked
fowery, but 1t was not what 1t seem
ed to be. Let US build roads In a
more business like way. Go to the
Legislature and get law passed that
will protect us. 1t can be done; we
can get what we want. hope the
members Of the council will not pass
this ordinance.
Alderman Koehler did not believe
the people OF Cairo would not be
benefited by building roads to Thebes
and Tamms. The merchants OF Cairo
would be sure to derive benefit
The money would be well spent for
ten years to come, f
Alderman Greaney said no matter
Low much or how little was collected,