Wilmington daily gazette., 1873-03-08
For the Gazette
The City Deb..

MR. EDITOR ALLOW citizen the privilege
again of space in your paper for the purpose Of |
reply to L. L. s., who informs US through the
DAILY Commercial of last Thursday, that the
debt ofthe city is not stated BY "Citizen" and
that Citizen has made deliberately false stale
ment. Letlus investigate and reason together for
few moments, and we will see whether or not
Citizen" stated falsely when he dated that the
entire debt Of the city was on lhe 6rst l,v Of
Ianuary' 1873, about eight hundred thousand
dollars.
On or about Wsdnes lay, jan Ist 1873. the
debt as per Treasurer's books, and BY his own
Sho"ing,to two members ofthe City Council was
"a he termed the different loans, to use his own
words XXX - no '"'
FUNDED debt, $ll66OOOO
Stock Loan, asa O50OO
Water Street Loan. 6nOoOOo
FloauHg debt, L. r. 8. slatemt 7l,5OOOO
S7l1 ,05000
L.. T.: >. says. In his communication that the
entire debt Of the city is six hundred and fifty
one thousand eight and fifty dollars. Now iftbe
debt vas or Is as he states / would ask him and
the tax payers Of the city, why the majority in
Council proposed and passed an ordinance. Jan.
"a, 1878 lsee proceeding of Council,a as published
IN the daily papes) appropriating $4,000 to
pay interest on the debt when by L. Il. s. show
ing 1t Wonld only requires $39.lIl, these things
viii not argree. Figures look very weldon p,pIr
Dat when you Gene to balance accounts and
investigate thoroughly WiIh that system Of a
business character, a discrepancy of this kind
would not Loeb % well In a we'll reanlated Inns.
mess, either corporate or individual firm.
l.. H. >. lays great stress qppn the Democratic
mlArule as he terms it, during the eight months
they were " power, in 1871 No one attemp,s
70 deny but what the per centage uf that wear
vas laid at too low figure, not sufficient IA
meet expenses OF to carry ON the city govern
ment as then existed; the amount Of work
Contracted fOT, by former Republican Council
and In course OF construction, had to be provided
fIr out Of the proceeds or taxes of that wear
which the TreasurePs books, and the records O
the Guy Council will show to any man who viii
take the troubleor who is sufficiently interested
to Investigate; hence it is a fact undeniabIe tha
the floating debt of that year, in great measure
was caused by the payments Of debts contracted
by Republican Council.
Let Us LOOK for moment to the management
Of the ahSiFa OF the city for the year 1872 so ia
as the financial condition appears.
In 1871 the Democratic Council laid the IA,
at and per cent, and at the end of tn
eighty eight thousand dollars, (which, be
remembered, was caused by the payments q
debts, contracted BY Republican CouRcil) 1
1877 Republican Council with a largely in
cFea@ed assessment, laid the tax at Is and 9, on
third more with the increased assessment) tha
the year previous by a Democratic Council
What was the floating debt at the close of th
year 1872; why fellow citizens aud tax payel
the startling SUM Of 81, 500 This should n,
have heeDj with the increased taxation wit
proper management in all departments of h
city, could have beeR clear of floating DEB
with such an amount on hand together with Il
water rents collected in January, 1873, suf6ciel
to carry on the works Of the city independent
until July next,at which time the taxes becam
due. and 'cOlecIable; how is 1t, directly, to 4
contrary, large floating debt upon ua.ihe wat
raAts collected in 1anuaEy all gone, lof WhiC
H. u \. GOES not attempt 10 deny) and dare n
deny, with, staring US in the face for the prese
year, probability, nay, certainty, Of from 20
% per cent laid rs the ratio Of tax for 1873.
In concluding with this communication let u
say to Mr.. l.. +. 8. look sharp. "Citizen" a.
etizens alike are watching you and your ALI
cOsely. able and prepared lO'deiend Ourselv,
eY and with the element that God has given
aud iptend without the advice Of L. e. s.
advocate economy and justice in the affairs
or city government Therefore, don't consuI
y juT time in giving US advice. Il will be til
stt0 30 purpose, aud would be better employ
iliooking after some Y. s. government ala
that are banging In the horizon.