The Morgan City daily review. (Morgan City, La.) 1916-1920, 1919-03-17

surrounding country to that city. 1t
is true all incorporated towns must
bear alone the burdens and expenses
Of their local governments, and we
take this occasion to commend the
Mayor and Councilmen of Morgan
City in the able manner in which,
they have managed their internal af-
fairs; but that is no just reason why
the municipalities in a parish shonld
not share in the expense of general
parish improvement, especially when
that improvement benefits them:
"As further reason for the towns
of this parish being included in this
road district and assuming their
share Of the expense in building the
proposed additional model roads is,
because the present model road was
built and being paid for out of the
general fund of the parish, the entire
cost being carried by the rural sec
tions of the parish and not one cent
of this cost being placed upon the
towns and who have received great
benefits from this model road. 1t is
but fair and right that the towns
should now assist the rural sections
in building the proposed new model
roads"
AS indicated by the above, the
Banner is set in its purpose of up1
holding the police jury in its plan.
The Banner believes that all of the
parish will be benefited by the build
ing Of model troads. 1t expounds its
opinion freely in this regards but
oyerlooks the fact that there are two
sides to the matter. 1t does not be-
lieve that the Sbroad-minded, patri-
otic public-spirited citizens of this
city endorse the protest of the may
or AMI council, but it fails to take in
to consideration the fact that there
is weight to the contention of the
objecors. It merely advances its
theory that the roads are needed, and
that the peopit Of the parish rs =.
whole will be benefited by them. It
fails to mention the proportionate
benefits to be derived by the differ
ent parts of the parish.
The objectors do not dispute the
fact that the roads are needed. II is
believed that if provision were made
in the plans of the jury for turning
over to the municipalities the equiv
aient of what would be spent on the
street forming part of the trunk line,
this amount to be spent BY the mu-
nicipality in its street building pro-
gram, that the objections would be
Withdrawn and confidence institted
in the taxpayers.
As to the attitude of the people}
this will be clearly shown when the
voters go to the polls to vote on the
issue. 1t is felt that if a major por-
tion Of the city's assessment is cast
in the affirmative, that no further
steps will be taken by the authori-
ties; but if otherwise, the contention
is advanced that the city would be,
justified in enjoining the jury from
carrying out its plan of taxing the
property within the city limits. The
people of Morgan City expressed
themselves when they named the
mayor and council, but it is not to be
assumed that views of these officials
express the views Of all the citizens
and for this reason the citizens of
this community will go to the polls
and cast their vote on the question.
expressing their attitude individual
ly and collectively. The authorities
will then be justified in acting ac-
cordingly.
The Review dalnveraa e. vv>ssp h>~>I