The Charleston daily news. [volume] (Charleston, S.C.) 1865-1873, 1868-06-17

! in this city are not2-that, although sevefefy
taxing the people, the city is not paying the in
terest on its debt, and scarcely paying its run
or viii be at the expiration Of this year, def-
cit OF nearly $500 600. which is practically the
interest on her debt Of S. 900 900, at per cent.
per annum. Without attempting to rrace out
the causes Of this enormous debt or the rea-
SONS for this large deficit, let Cs take hold OF
this monster Of responsibility as it is, and pre-
vent its future unmanageable accumulation.
And, gentlemen, lot us thoroughly under.
stand to what dangers this $SOO, 900 deficit, if
allowed yearly to be piled up with it's interest,
would inevitably bring US. Starting with debt
of Sc, 900 0O0 in twenty years the entire real es-
tate Of the city, now assessed at $40, ,000, 600,
would be absorbed; but long before the lapse
OF that time, in say ten or twelve years, as
''rats leave sinking Ship 80 will our inhabl-
tants leave us with w1ab property tley can
carry, and bankruptcy or reputation, With all
it's attendant evils. will hold those remaining.
Can this evil, by any means, be wrested ?
Can the interest on our city's debt be regular
" and promptly paid? Can the daily and year
ly expenses of the city government also be
promptly metz AS an answer use the simple
and expressive word yes
A system of taxation can be inaugurated by
which many-the business men and those con
nected-who are now too heavily taxed, will be
relieved, and none will be more oppressiyely
burdened than they now are.
A system OF expenditure can be inaugurated
BY which many evils as they exist will cease,
and large amounts may be saved, instead OF
being, as far as the city is concerned, squan-
dered and lost.
Yes, gentlemen. system Of taxation and
expenditure can be inaugurated, from the
benefits of which the widow, the orphan, and
all dependent upon city interest, shall have
something besides shadow to lea2 upon-a
system by which our stocks and bonds shall be
brought up to where any six per cent. stock
ought to Be; in fact system by which, and
through which, our oity's credit will be, as it
once was, equal 10 any, surpassed oy none.
Once more, I repeat, all this can and SHOULD
be done, and for one looking to this desired
end, trust the resolution will be adopted.
Alderman Clark offered the following resolu-
ton, which wa. seconded by Alderman Olney,
and referred to committee consisting of AL
dermen Clark, Whilden and Cunningham:
Rescued, That q committee of three be ap-
pointed by his Honor the Mayor to confer with
the owners OF property on Queen-street, Ee-
tween King and Meeting, in relation to the
probable cost Of the proposed widening OF that
street.
Alderman Parker offered the following:
Resolued That a special committee Of three
be appointed by bis Honor the Mayor to inves-
tigate the relations Of the city with Charleston
College, and that said committee shall have
power to act.
Alderman Whilder. I would like to know
what is meant by the phrase that s'said COM
mittee shall have power to act"
Alderman Parker 1t must be known to the
gentleman that there is considerable sum
due the college on the LIST of July, and the in
tontion is to investigate the relations between
the city and the college with the view Of cutting
of, ifpossible, any future payment under tho
statute. The committee ask for about tho
same authority that was conferred upon sim
liar committee some three or six months ago.
Alderman Geddings suggested that the mat
ter be referred to The committee TO be appoint
ed under the resolution offered by Alderman
Clark.
Alderman Parker said he had no objection
to that course, and the resolution was SO refer
red.
Alderman Parker also offered the following
Resoloed, That o special permanent commit
tee OF three be appointed upon the Police Dc
partment.
Q Alderman McKinlay. I second the resOlu-
ton.
Alderman Clark. If in order,'I would like
to loarn the object Of this resolution.
Alderman Parker. The object is to investi-
gate the Police Department. with view to the
reduction and reorganization Of the Depart
ment.
Alderman Whilden. Heretofore the matter
of police has been left to the Mayor and Chief
of Police, but as this proposition refers to the
subject OF retrenohment, 1 move as an amend
ment that the resolution be refcrred to the
committee of i've to be appointed under The
resolution OF Alderman Clark.
On motion of Alderman Olney, Council then
adjourned.