Daily Richmond Whig. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1840-1842, 1841-05-13

II T
The Committee have also examined the Cham
| oerlsin's estimates Of the probable income and ex
penditure OF the city during the current haancis
year, which will terminate the 9sih FEBRUARY, lSi9
| from which appears that without providin, 10,
| the sum OF s2l,0 900 OF permanent anc Temporal,
| debt which will be actually due and demandab
| within the year, or without making provision fo
any unusual OF extraordinary expenditure likely I,
arse, here Will be probable balance against the
city on the hrst Of March next Of nearly $4,000
ms estimate is based, however, upon the SUPPOSE
"on thi the taxes will remain at the existing rates
ana that no more than the usual amount will bs
received from the Collector within the year; no,
does II allow for any additional TO be derived
from new improvements and increased subjects OF
taxation. The Committee, having bestowed some
reflection on the subject, have TO the conclu-
SION, that would be inexpedient to increase the
present rates Of taxation II can he possibly avoid
ed. large majority Of our citizens are believed
10 be SUI struggling with the difhcu ties OF the
times, and many OF them might be lily prepared for
aooitional burthens. Ii will be indispcns,bly ne
cessary, however, tomake some change in the ordi-
nance prescribing the period Of collecting and &C.
counting Tor the city taxes. BY reference to the es-
innate OF receipts, il will be seen that the sum OF
SsSOo OF the revenue of $40 remained in the Col
iectors hands on the LIST March last, for which he is
not srcty accountable until the LIST OF June. There
Is no saffcient reason apparent to the Committee,
why that officer should be allowed so long period
TO make his collections. The Collectors OF the
are Obliged, under severe penalties to account the
10Th Of December in each year; and until within a
lev Years, the period of settlement was the LIST of
November. There is less reason Tor tardy collec-
uons IN towns than IN the country; for whilst the
asrculturist seldom realizes the profits OF his la
oour otener than once year, the inhabitants Of
towns, from the different nature of their pursuits
nnd u nearly as convenient TO pay public dues at
one time as well rs another. One consequence re-
sutlng moreover from the present protacied period
~ Re do 4, -
annual payment of interest on temporary loans 1t
will be seen from the Chamberlain's statement that
the sum Of 81, l32 80 paid on that account du-
ring the last year; and although il cannot be ex-
pecied, Tor some time at least that this charge on
the corporation funds will altogether cease it is OBJ
vous, that greater promptude in the Collector will
diminish IL materially.
In reference TO the prospective condition of the f.
names, II will I've perceived, that whilst no yery
large amount OF the City debt will be redeemable
until lSis yet before that time, besides what is now
due, portions will become payable almost every
year, provision for which cannot be conveniently
made out OF the ordinary revenue without increas-
cd taxation Something, indeed, ought to be real
ireo' al no distant day, from the Stock held in the
J ames River kanawha Company;-but the con.
urgency IS too uncertain TO be relied on Should
the city creditors be peremptory in their demands
resort must be had TO effective means for pre-.
serving the public faith. The Committee do not
however consider necessary, at this time, 10 sus-
gest those means.
Whilst it is deemed inexpedent to increase the
City taxes generally the attention of the Commit
Tee has been called to subject OF taxation
which is not unworthy of notice. IL is believed
mat many persons occupy stations or stalls in the
streets and about the atkets, and other public pa-
ces and are engaged in species of peddiing in
cheap articles OF merchandise 10 the injury OF the
licensed trader. There is no good reason why they
should not be subjected to a moderate tax and the
COMMITTEE recommend IT accordingly. They recon-
mend also, that the so uton of the Committee in
ther last Annual Report, having for its object an in
crease oil water rents IN certain cases. be carried into
effect. The resolution referred TO- received the
sanction OF the Common Hall at the time il was re.
ported, but It's execution has been DELAYED by the
difficulty of graduating the rents. A resolution is
now reported, which It is believed will attain the
object In view Of the foregoing statements and
the Committee cannot forbear the re-
mark, that strict economy ia our expenditures is in
dispensably necessary. The same CAUTION which
should govern every prudent individual in the ma
nagement OF his private affairs, ought undoubtedly
TO be observed Oy public bodies II more accu-
rate knowledge OF the city finances generally pre-
JAILED, is believed that there would be less cIamor
about new and expensive Improvements, and not
quite so much censure bestowed upon the CORPORATE
authorities for supposed want of liberaty. The
interest on the city debt alone Si2 900 per annum;
and 1t TO this be added tina large sums which are ne
cessary for the repairs and improvement Of thirty
miles OF street; the maintenance Of the night watch:
the support and education Of the poor, and other
equally pressing claims upon the CORPORATION a
just idea may be formed Of the heavy pense which
IS annually incurred. The Committee recommend
the adoption OF the following resolutions:
|. RssOlrsd, That 1t is inexpedient to increase
the rates of taxation for the present year
2 RssolrEd, That persons who occupy stalls OF
stations IN the streets about public places or who
hawk peddIe about the streets shall be required
to take out license and pay tax Of Eve dollars for
the privilege.
B. ResOirsd, That the Superintendent Of The Wa.
Ter Works be directed, TO increase the Water Rent,
N all cases where there Is unusual or exIraord-
nary use OF water 10y individuals or companies; and
hat 1t such increase be sanctioned by the Water
ng Committee, the same shall be collected as other
water rents now Provided, That no additional
-ates shall be imposed for ordinary supplies to fami
les and boarding houses and that the tota increase
HAL not exceed twenty per centum upon the whole
mount of rents now paid: Ind, pr6uided, also
| nat IN the discretion OF the Watering Committee,
he rents under the existing ordinance NAV be redu.
ed 10 particular cases requiring such reduction.
4. ReSolred, That the Collector shall be required
% account for, and pay over to the Chamberlain, on
or before the 2sIh day Of February, in each wear.
he whole Of the city taxes collected by him, after
commissions and insolvenls; and that
upon all sums paid 10y him after the ST day of ia.
1uary and before the 25th of February, he shall he
allowed per cent, in lieu of the presen. commits.
lions.
The preceding resolutions recommended by the
Committee. were severally adopted, and the report
and accompanying documents were ordered to be
printed.
A resolution offered by Mr. Allen, that the
Commissioners districts for Monroe Ward, be au.
lhorIzed TO cause brick pavement four feet wide.
20 oe laid on the east side walk OF I'd Street from
b Street TO the Burying round gate with suta ole
crossings of Flag stone, at J, K and l., and Duval
Streets.
And on motion Of Mr. Manson, it was referred 10
he Surveyor, TO report the cost Of the work.
On motion of Mr. Manson, the vote rejecting the
DUPLICATION Of the James River & Kanawha Co. on
he 2ist April last, for permission to erect a Scale
House on ID Street, was reconsidsred; and the fol-
owing was adopted. viz:
Rssoiped, That the application Of the Jas. River
Z hanawha Co, asking leave 10 erect Scale
House on ID Street, be referred 70 the Commission.
ire of Streets generally. with instructions to report
ipon the expectancy Of authorizing the erection
hereof
The ayes and noes having been ordered on tbi,
question,
The Ayes were-Messrs. Munrord, Heath. Bosh-
n, Lancaster, Caskie, Dove, Freeman and Man.
ION.
Noes-Messrs. Allen and Mayo
Mr. Lancaster presented, from the Committee an.
'olntsd 70 bring IN the same, an ordinance proyid-
ng for the appointment Of Port Wardsns for the
ny OF Richmond, which was laid on the table.
, On motion OF Mr. Heath, Il was ordered that the
Hall adjourn to Monday next OF o'clock p. NJ.
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