|
|
|
pose half a million of bonds, ever authorized the mere be-
ginning of a building the ultimate cost of which was to
greatly exceed the amount set apart, and beyond which
they had no right to go. The sum appropriated contem-
plated payment in full for a finished building, not to lay
the foundation and rear outer walls, merely partially to
construct the edifice, but to finish it in all its detail and
in every part. If any other purpose was contemplated it
does not appear upon the face of the law, and the com-
missioners are not at liberty to go beyond its clear re-
quirements, nor could the mayor and city council grant
any powers to them in the premises not previously au-
thorized by the Legislature.
The mayor and city council in their powers are limited
by legislative enactments, and the commissioners are
limited by the ordinance, and neither can go beyond them.
If the commissioners appointed under the ordinance of
1865 or the mayor and city council had the power to ex-
ceed the sum authorized, then they could as well have
proceeded without any authority. To exceed the law is as
grave an offense as to proceed without law, and to do so
is so grave an offense that the seal of public condemna-
tion should be set upon all who participate in it.
The continued increase of the debt of Baltimore city is
a subject of painful anxiety to its citizens. Each return-
ing year has brought its augmentation, until now the bur-
dens are intolerable, and its effect must be disastrous to
the prosperity of the city and to the State also. From the
fear of heavy taxation, capital will shun us, personal prop-
erty will hide itself, and thereby the basis of taxation will
diminish while the debt increases, and thus the burden
must and will in the end fall with crushing weight upon
real estate.
The effect of public debt upon communities is the same
as debt upon individuals. It shuts the doors of hope—
dispirits and paralyzes their energies. A public debt is
a public calamity that curses the living and wastes the
estate of the dead. Its enormity at this time in the sev-
eral departments of our government is a source of serious
alarm to the prudent and thoughtful. So great is the
debt of the Federal and State governments that when
added to those of a local and municipal character, an army
520
|
|
|
|
 |
