Show UIVWISEJ BUT AOT DISHOXORABIE The change of policy in this city in reference to the street lighting Is not regarded by the people as an Indication of wisdom on the part of the city authorities who are attempting to inaugurate in-augurate it There is no sufficient rea son In sight for Introducing an entirely en-tirely different plan to that which has prevailed here from the very beginning begin-ning Whether it will be actually established or not will be decided before be-fore very long It ought to be tested by suit for injunction In stating that the promoters of the innovation were following a fad and in the interest of the corporations and the capitalists The Herald expressed the views of a very large number of the taxpayers The plan proposed cannot be said to be in favor of the poorer class of landholders They are to be assessed according to the alleged benefits bene-fits to their land claims and improvements improve-ments The burden of the tax will fall upon them thus reversing the principle that the weight of taxation shall rest upon those best able to bear it which occurs when property is as sessed according to its cash yaluation But in making those remarks The Herald wishes it to be distinctly understood under-stood hat it designed to cast no reflection re-flection upon the honesty and integrity in-tegrity of those gentlemen who espoused the taxing heresy which is being imposed upon the city On the contrary The Herald has defended them against the Insinuation of a contemporary con-temporary that they were Influenced in another matter by mercenary considerations con-siderations We do not Believe and have not Intimated that their legislation legisla-tion which Is In favor of the rich was brought about by any such means We regard them as Altogether above such a reproach But nevertheless what we have said of their measure stands That the lighting of the streets is not for the benefit of adjacent property but forth for-th convenience of travelers the public good and not private advantage seems so plain that it is scarcely open to dispute dis-pute Street lamps are not erected for the special benefit of the houses and lots near by They are to light the streets not the abutting property The benefits received accrue to the users of the streets and should therefore there-fore be paid for like any other general gen-eral public improvement out of the general funds There has not yet been < an avgumenl offered for the newfangled piece of municipal absurdity that will stand the test of fair reason and close scrutiny But In saying that while our remarks re-marks may reflect on the wisdom of Its promoters we repeat that we do not wish to reflect in the slightest degree de-gree upon their honor which we believe is above reproach |