The daily phoenix. [volume] (Columbia, S.C.) 1865-1878, 1874-06-12

JUNE X-NUMBER II
I was elected by your honorable body on
the 2lst OF April last, was qualified on the
2Stl md entered upon the discharge Of my
duties on the 1st Of May.
! received from my predecessor Mr.. Charles
Barnun'. SIl44?. of whch Sl3l.ll was in
city bills, and $3sU in United States currency.
AS you are doubtless aware have been
seriously embarrassed from the want ofiunds
10 meet tic pressing demands FOR payment Of
those who hold claims against the city.
lie officers OF the city, the policemen and
the street hands. who support themselves and
families by their daily earnings have not been
paid since February and are sadly in need Of
their pay. while the merchants who have fed
the INDECENT poor, and the helpless in our
Aims House and Hospital, are clamorous for
their pay, aud announce their inability to feed
them longer on credit.
III view Of these facts, which are notorious,
believing that you, as also the public whose
representatives you arc, desire to know tho
cause for this embarrassment. for this empti-
ness Of tho treasury so soon upon the heels Of
the collection Of the annual taxes Of 1874,
have prepared and nov present Cor your cor.
sideration itho following s.. ;.ionts, whicn
tell the story of the present unfortunate con-
diton Of affairs, in language more eloquent
than can command.
RESOURCES.
Taxable property on the duplicate
OF 18Th. S0,uVc,VVV
Less 20 per cent, being average re-
ductions of assessment, erro-
neouS assessments and nuUG
bona. 100000
Actual ta3nhle basis, 4,s0O O0c
Eight mills for general purposes
on above will realize when al.
coIlecteu. ................. 3S.4O0
Seven mills for interest on the
city debt ............. $4,000
Licenses and all other sources of
revenue, assuming asa basis the
receipts in 1873. 1900
Receipts on account ct taxes O..
| previous years. s............... 1900
Water collections, assuming as
| basis collections for 1873 ~ 1900
Total receipts from all sources. $ lol, 100
LIABILITIES.
Outstanding bills Of the year 1879.
| which have been paid out Of
| the taxes Of 1874. az will more
! fully appear by reference 10 the
detailed statement Of expcndi.
lures hereto annexed. ...... S 1850 65
Outstanding bills OF the year 1873
not yet paid as per registry. 3,C02 :.
Bills payable issued i'll 1878 still
outstanding; ............ sl5G 90
Amount of Judgment in case Of
Columbia Water Power Com
pany rs. city ofColumbia.... 10000 co
Total past Indebtedness paid and
| payable in 1874. 73,3oS 80
Current expenses Of 1874, rs per
appropriation ordinance. 1. =. lo274o 90
Appropriation Cor building house
Tor Enterprise Fire Engine Com
pany. 49,. 200 90
Interest on city debt for one year
| q am unable to find ont the
amount Of coupons Of previous
! years paid this year, 10000 90
| Total liabilities. S2l733S 20
Excess Of liabilities over re-
| sources. 1161 13S 70
In the above statement the Indebtedness TO
the construction fund OF the new CITY Hall
and unpaid past due coupons are not included
i'll the liabilities Of the city, because I have
not the exact figures at my command.
1t appears from the foregoing statement
that in recemher 1873, when tie tax levy
for 1871 was passed, the city owed floating
debt of over $4,000 This large sum repre-.
sents the accumulntions for several years OF
bills ordered paid in excess of receipts from
all sources, aud more especially during the
! last year, when large sum WAS exnnnded
Which was not included in the estimate or
the tax levy Of 1873, nor provided for in the
levy Of 1874.
This deficiency Of over $4,000 was eyi.
IDENTIFY not included in The estimate OF the tax
necessary to be levied for the support of the
city for the year 1874 because the anpropria
tions made at that timc for tie wear 1874 of
MemS,'fts cNcced the maximum to be rcal,zcI,
from all sources of revenue.
have compiled the receipts and cynend;.
lures from the month of December 10 The
month Of April, inclusive because during that
time tue bulk of the taxes Of 1874 was col.
ectcd, the larger part Of which was ab.
sorbed in the payment OF last years debts as
the exhibits which follow will show:
Receipts a'N Disbursements from Dec.ul,y l.,
! -4prf', incinSite.
| DIR.
10 balance from November 1918 1884 81
To receipts from taxes, applicable
to general purposes. .. 3l.5Is ca
10 licenses and all other sources
of revenue. ............. $3.50 81
To water collections. ... 5'757 G.
To special interest tax collected. 26.954 Os
To money borrowed by bills pay.
able. ........ 44,542 6s
| To recpipts from Sheriff Dent Aoo =.