Corpus Christi caller and daily herald. [volume] (Corpus Christi, Tex.) 1911-1917, 1912-01-19
WHAT THE FEBRUARY Election MEANS
TO THE TAX PAYER

The Election called by The Oily Council icr Mon
day. February 18th. IL iraught with particular In
tcrost 10 every citizen naEmnch "a w. obiec, h 10
inject into our present City Charter Act Of tho
Thirty nrst Legislature designed 10 permit The city 10
make permanent street improvements, and auaess a
portion Of the costs for such improvements against
abuiting property owners and against railroad aud
street car companies operating lines within the city
limits
The impression prevails that the forthcoming
election IL a preliminary measure. making way for
subsequent elections 10 determine tho nature and
scope Of tha work 10 be undertaken. The terms Of
the Act a. passed by tho Legislature arc very plain
Sec. 3 That the governing body OF any city
shall have power TO order the improvement OF any
highway therein, part thereof and 10 select the
materials and methods for such improvements, and
10 contract for the construction Of such Improve
mcnis In the namc Of the atty and TO provide for The
payment OF tho coat Of such improvements on, Of any
available funds Of The city A. horrin provided
Injected into our City Charter and made an In
tegral portcn Of laws this clause means but one
thing: The City Council viii have the absolute
power 10 mako street improvements according 10 the
discretion Of ita members, without tho interference,
on consent Of property holders, In other words u
may be Chaparal Street or u may be coopcrs Alley
according 70 the measure Of interest members Of the
council feel In The particular welfare Of any particular
portion OF the city, This Is looking At Tho matter
from iia darker side and summing up tho possihsli
ties rather than the probabilities
Sec. l. That the cost Of making such improve
menis may be wholly paid by the city or partly by
the city and partly By owners Of property abu,tng
thereon provided, that Ia no event shall more than
three fourths OF the cost of any Improvement cx
ccps sidewalks and cufbs be assessed against such
property owners their property but che whole
cost Of construction Of sidewalks and cabs In front
Of any property may be assessed against The owner
thereof OF his property.
This section makes the method OF procedure OPP
tional with the council II may elect 10 let the city
pay tho costs may the larger share Of the
burden ON tbs abutting property owner which h
the custom now prevailing In the larger cities. Tn,
council also selects the materials
According 10 further provisions Of the act th'
property owner may be required TO pay the tota
costs Of ourbs and sdcwalhu. The council also pre-
vides fm The time and terms Of payment of such IA
se<sn'ens and the rate u interest payable upon de
fesrcd payments there which rate Of interest shall
note exceed NY Nlru per annum. and 10 fix a Lien
upon tho pre-. asA declare such assessments Il
be personal ablllty Of che owners Of such abaltn,
property. ."
Taken as whole, the question OF the Fehruar
election should be closely investigated by every ma
having extensive property Interest," in the cat,
Payemeniz are very necessary fern Of municips
improvement and taxpayers have clamored for
chance TO express themselves. The opportunity nor
presents itself; but II citizens vote IN favor Of IN
cooperating the Act into the City Charter they wa
Al Tho sAms tiine sacrifice large measure Of thsi
power Ia city affairs. Members Of tho council wi
have the pocr 70 take tho paving question into shc
own hands ARd solve u aessa'ss ~ their own wa
Y cf shiuldns.