The Charleston daily news. [volume] (Charleston, S.C.) 1865-1873, 1867-11-14
The Financial Slough.

The City Council are in Office. They have
still the power to act officially; and 1t IS
III, ir duty 10 inaugurate Immediately such
scheme of judicious retrenchment as will enable
the City to meet its current expenses. 1t is
never too late to begin reform; and every lost
day is adding to our difficulties. There is abun-
dant room for wise action; and the City ex-
poets that the gentlemen who have charge OF
its affairs will arrange such scale Of e1pendl-
lures as can with certainty be met by the In
come of the present year.
Two points are everywhere admitted; FIRST
that the taxa ion of the City cannot be increas-
ed; and, SECOND, that the outlay must be cut
down until it mes within the limits Of reve-
nue. This is something with which to begin ;
and it reduces the whole vexed question to q
consideration of what expenses, now being In
Cured, Gan be done away with Alto ether, and
what expenses can, with safety, be reduced.
The report of the Committee en- Retrench-
ment is already before the public. 1t has been
r.ad in Council; and its consideration was
postponed on account of the uncertainty tnat
attended the tenure of ottce of the body which
was asked TO carry it into effect The report
of the Committee is basis upon which TO act;
and there is no reason to suppose that Its au-
tbors would object to any consistent modihca-
,ons of the Ordinance founded upon 1t. A
nroposition for Retrenchment has been made;
and at least the saving shown in the Commit
tees report should in some way be ensured.
But there is much difference of opioion as to
he quarter in which retrenchment should be-
gin. It is generally admitted that, unless tae
city has an efficient police, well-lghted streets,
and passable roads and sidewalks, its trade
cannot be built up, its citizens will not be Sc
cure, and uutry merchants cannot be
expected to give it the whole Of their
regular trade. Admitting this to be
true, the question arises--what is an
eff lent police, what is the cost of lighting the
streets, and what is the cost of keeping the
roads and ;de.walks in tolerable repair !?
Some of these questions can be best answered
in Council, others can perhaps be determined
upon ordinary business principles. In regard
10 the police, for instance, it is clear enough
that it would be unwise TO reduce the number
of the force, and, at the same time, out down
the pay of the men who are retained. Those
who remained would have extra work and extra
responsibility; and, whatever change is made
in the aggregate number of officers and men, it
seems only wise and prudent that there should
be no reduction of pay. About the streets, far
less can be said, but it may be urged that no
such lavish outlay be permitted, as that which
was so heavy drain upon the resources OF the
year which has just come TO close.
Discussion and deliberation will throw light
upon the matter The Council will doubtless
receive with pleasure any well-considered sug-
geston In the meanwhile, this paper will
publish any responsible communication which
has for its object the talancing OF Receipts and
Expenses, an impartial reduction of the city
expenditure, and the attempt to raise Charles
ton from the financial slough into which cir
Gums ances have encouraged her to slide.
Every man has his own theory of city govern
ment and, although the Council do not expect
to please every one of their constituents, they
will be gra,i6ed at seeing the views and desires
of their intelligent fellow-ctizens. The Ordi-
na ce founded on the report Of the Committee
on Rstrenchment will not be acted upon until
the next regular meeting of Council; and
there is abundant time for such consultation as
will allow the Mayor and Aldermen to proceed
with some certainty that they are supported,
and sustained, by private and public opinion.