Watertown republican. [volume] (Watertown, Wis.) 1860-1906, 1867-06-05

Leaving a balance in the hands OF
the Treasurer, on the day before
mentioned. of 46o %
1t also appears by the same report that at the
same time there Were in the hands OF the Trea-
surer tax certificates belonging to, and distri-
buted to the several funds OF the aggregate
nominal value OF 50, ,345 II.
Since the making of said report there has
been paid into the city General fund for licenses
of dsfferent kinds, the sum of $3.50; and The
amount collected OF G. May, ST. 80, for the matte
rials of the old Cady street bridge sold to HIM,
making a total of $3.50; all of which, as well
as the balance on hand ittha fund at the date OF
said report, has since been drawn ont again upon
orders previously issued upon that fund.
In looking over the foregoing slatemant, we
cannol help to concede that the condition OF the
city Finances is anything but hatterlng, and
that in the management of our municipal
affairs, while must leave nothing undone.
which tnay be necessary to give our citizens
ample security aud protection for life, health,
and property, we must at the same time guard
the credit of our city by enforcing. in all
branches of the administration Of our municipal
affairs, strict system of economy, and exacting
from each aud every officer under the city gov
ernment, firm and searching accountability
The tax certificates held by the several fnnds
aud heretofore mentioned, are of nominal value
only aud we cannot rely upon realising any
cons lderable pOrtIo OF the amount OF the same,
and as they are only embarrassing the Treasurer
aud cumber up his books with hctlclous
values, I would recommend that you devise
some way by which they may be converted
into money.
| wish to invite your special attention to
the provisions Of the Charter, which positively
prohibits Aldermen from contracting debts
against their respective wards, in any one year,
to an amount greater than the tax which may
lawfully be levied in said ward to meet the
current expenses of the year. and winch further
declares tn at if any Alderman should SO con-
tract debts TO greater amount than such tax,
he shall be personally liable therefore, such
a course is not only violation OF the official
oath but also cause of much hardship TO per
sons who work for the city in good faith, eX-
pectng that their claims will be speedily adj
usted. [ must therefore urge upon you the
vital importance of strict compliance ca your
part w th the provisions OF Cur city Charter, and
the adoption of such rules and regul ations as
will compel like compliance on The part OF
all city officers, to carry out which l pledge
you my active co operation. Let us carefully
endeavor not to incur any expenditures for any
purpose whatever, unless it is absolutely de
manded by the public welfare.
By the following statement, showing the
amount of State, County aud Municipal taxes
raised and collected in this city during the last
year and not including the general taxes PAID
by our citizens during the same year, you Will
see that taxation for general purposes is already
heavy enough, if not oppressive to people OF
small means
Jefferson Co. Dodge Co.
State tax--------s 97S sl---s238 81 81 ,2l7 -
County taxes-4,243 2l sos ga 4.757 l 8
Co. School tax zl2 90 - 7l2 90