"The thing generally raised on city land is taxes"

This quote by Charles Dudley Warner is a commentary on the state of urban life. He is suggesting that the primary focus of city governments is to raise taxes, instead of to improve the quality of life for its citizens. This is a criticism of the way cities are run, as it indicates that the primary concern of local government is to produce profits, rather than to provide services and facilities to its residents. This quote likewise indicates that local government are not investing in the infrastructure and services that would benefit its people, such as public transportation, parks, and schools. By focusing on raising taxes, city governments are not offering the resources necessary to enhance the quality of life for its residents. This quote is a suggestion that local government must prioritize the needs of its citizens over producing income.