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9
tribute to the general happiness and progress of man, which
other-wise would remain valueless.
The magnitude of such undertakings, however, not unfre-
quently exceeds individual means, and hence the necessity
for Acts of incorporation, uniting and centralizing individu-
al efforts and capital in order to secure the successful accom-
plishment of such enterprises. The aid of States and Cities
have, at times, been invoked and properly given to secure
prompt success, and benefits have resulted far in excess of
the temporary inconveniences resulting from the non-ability
of such undertakings in the beginning to be fully productive.
While these things are true, still there is a great necessity
for caution, and for legislative restraints, lest communities
through the snares of the wiley and the designing, and by
the recklessness of others should become dangerously involv-
ed in debts beyond their means to pay without great suffer-
ing and hardship, and thereby cause alarm, when capital
to escape the burthens of taxation takes flight, and thus an
obstacle to success is created instead of the promised good.
The Legislature has for wise purposes ever been cautious
ia granting power to one Corporation to participate in the
affairs of another or become responsible for debts not proper-
ly its own, and whenever this policy has been departed from,
It has been by the most open and direct means, and the au-
thority so to act is couched in terms neither doubtful nor im-
plied. The necessity for such a course is apparent in order
to protect the public against the possibility of frauds, and
hold in restraint the constant tendency of Municipal and
other. Corporations, to pervert and abuse their legitimate
authority in doing by indirect means that which they could
not obtain authority to accomplish by an open and direct ap-
peal to the Legislature of the State. All such Acts are, of
evil tendency, and against the spirit of the law; and to
which no citizen can lead himself and claim an immunity
from rebuke and a just public censure, even though he may
escape punishment by the law.
In respect to the new City Hall now in progress, for full
details the Committee visited the office of Mr. Frederick,
architect, who exhibited and explained the details and de-
signs of his plan for a new City Hall, which has been ap-
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