Staunton vindicator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1860-1896, 1871-05-12
$12,539,99

This last sum is the amount which the
present Council has really had to rely on te
| meet the ordinary expenses Of the City, such
| as Street and Water improvements, Support
of Poor, Salaries Of Officers, Interest on
Bonded debt, &C., &C., and from which
Delinquents have still to be taken. Judg.
ing from the expenditure for Street Improve.
ments, which is the largest item, (and we
all know that more work has been done on
the Streets and on more Streets, without IA
voritism, by the present Council, than by
any proceeding Council for years. and
which has only averaged $3.50 per month,
or $4,000 for the year, we are compelled to
believe that it will be ample.
But to meet these same ordinary expen-
ses, the former Council levied tax of
$17 ,O24, Is and expended about 1880
of it in meeting them, Or, in other words,
about 81 900 more than the present Council
did for the same That the present Council
has had much more work done for 81 900
less money, none but the prejudiced will de-
n.y. What, then, becomes OF the charge of
'sSpend, thrift Council" and the like ? The
present Council has met about $12, 500 of
extraordinary expenses, which former Coun-
ellis did not have to meet-have reduced and
provided for reduction Of The Bonded debt
(Which fell due months before they went
into ofice) from 1927, 900 to $40, thus
saving the necessity Of taxation hereafter to
pay the interest on $1,000. No former
Council had taken any steps to provide for
the payment Of the debt, though they could
easily have put aside something year by
year t., meet the debt when due. This
Council has done more work on the Streets
and put them in better condition than they
have been for years, and for less sum than
former Councils expended on them-in a
word have met the ordinary expenses of the
City with less sum than has been done for
years.
One subject more, Mr.. Editor and I am
done The Steam, Engine. This is made
great bugbear and all for effect The ex-
penditure Of $3,440,05 was for Steam En-
CINE, Reel Carriages and 100 feet of Hose
Now suppose the Engine TO be worthless
(though the best Machinist in the City says
it is a good machine and bargain) yet it
only cost 81, 500 The Hose and Reels
are said by judges to be more than worth
the balance of the money paid, and were
greatly needed by the City. Then the ''fool.
ish" expenditure is only 1900 for the En-
CINE. The difference between the cost Of
ordinary expenses under the management of
the former and present Council is $4,000 in
favor of the latter By parity Of reason
ing, the conclusion is, therefore, inevitable
that the former Council must have thrown
away $4,000 toozisAly. How ridiculous
then to decry the present Council for the ex-
penditure of 81, 500 for an Engine, while,
no one knows but it may prove a wise ex-
penditure, and yetsay nothing of the 81 200
thrown away by the former Council :!
know that the position Of Councilman is
an unenviable one, and I do not know that
any one of the present Council desires to
serve again, but I must say, that, judging
from the facts and figures, as they are found
on the records of the City, the present is the
most economical and efficient Council the
City has had for years. Let any one who
doubts this, or the figures l have submitted,
90 and examine the records for himself, and,
# umprejudicetl, he will confirm the correct.
ness of my figures and bear me out in doing
this act of JUSTICE.