The weekly democratic statesman. [volume] (Austin, Tex.) 1871-1883, 1875-10-21
IHAT REPORT.

Mayor Wheeler's financial report, so.
called, has at last been published. 1t made
Its appearance, as a matter of course, in the
''organ" as a fat advertisement, but for d
remote Solution of its tables it would re-
quire new arithmetical system and chest
lof surfH rs Instruments to trace out lines,
coursd In the preamble of this doc
ument we mean that part of the adver-
tisement which deals in persuasive figures,
conclusions therefrom, and sensational stuff
about the beauties and grandeur of Austin
the question of exhoneration is made as
clear as mud. To read these glowing SEN
fences of the Mayor one learns that he is a
great man. a great fnancier. and thai he is
leading Austin right out of the mire of
debt and placing her far out upon the high
ground of independence, away from high
taxes, bond sales at seventy-two and a
halt cents and fat grading contracts.
The document shows how self estima-
ton will stultify even great men.
There are remarkable condolences
between great men. Grant is a great man !;
SO is Mayor Wheeler. We have heard he
likes to have his name coupled with the
growing Caesar, for he dreams of being q
Caesar himself. Both of these great men
intend to perpetuate their greatness. Both
are candidates for the third term, and both
mean to perpetuate their power by the same
neans-that of patronage. Take from
either this lever, and their greatness would
be at discount.
But we diyerge. Characters of renown are
apt to cause such result. We we're writ
ing about that report. 1t is masterpiece
in many respects. Under the head of 'Gae-
ceiIts" are found items, commencing at
February 2, 1872, and running on through
1878 Che last named year twice.. It is to
be supposed that the compiler meant, in the
repetition, the year 1874, but no one dare
swear to What is meant. Neither 1874 or
1875 are meltioned In the receipt schedule.
One Burns, formerly of Honey treasury fame,
was employed by Mr.. Wheeler to make up
this statement, but the showing cannot GER
tainly be undertood by even Burns, and
as for Mr.. WheeLr, the financial condition
as regarded by himself must be more OBJ
fuse than ever befoh. To study the table
suppositions, as to Years., have to be made
the basis, and in suchs matter as this con-
lectures will not do. But to come to
figures, let them refer to what period
they may. We find ths the sum to
tai of receipts from taxes TO, the
period above referred to is given by BUNS
as $14s, S65, 90. This amount, upon exami-
nation, is exactly SIS, 900 short of what is
correct. The different itemssof taxation
sum up $16S, $4,000, and to prove that this
amount is correct, we have taken the cash
and warrant receipt account, and find that
! the two make exactly the figures last
referred to. It proves that Mr.. Wheel
er was willing to submit any kind
of statement presented by Burns.
He looked upon him as an eminently proper
man to make financial statements, and in
going blind upon the figures he put his
name down to an error, as proven, of
| $15, 600. What can be said of the whole
statement upon such proofs It is nothing.
1t does not even give the correct years OF
the correct receipt, and as to the statement
OF expenditures they are amusing. They
are jumbled up so as to make balance
with the wrong figures on receipts, and
| there is an end of it. The whole report is
upon false dates and false figures. The
error of $500 is carried all the way
through the statement, showing that it was
no mistake. It may have been ignorance,
but there is order about it if it be so.
The certificate of three good citizens is
obtained to the condition of the city debt
| prior to the administration of Mr.. Wheeler,
but all that they say amounts to little. By
| the spirit of their communication let the
pith of it be adjudged:
REPORT OF COMMITTEE OF CITIZENS.
| AUSTIN, October IA, 1875.
Hon. 7. B. wheeler, Mayor
Dear Sir The committee appointed by
| you by resolution of City Council of Octo
| Der 4, 1876, for the purpose of investigating
the amount of city Indebtedness, etc., hay,
| proceeded in such Investigation as far a
they deemed it s0as contemplated for them to go
and report the following as the result O
their examination:
/ We have carefully examined, serriatum
1 each voucher and account furnished Us, ano
| from the data before US believe the indebted
ness of the city to have been at the tim,
YOU were first installed into Office, $45, 900
which was incurred under the administra
lions of your predecessors. 9'1 =
The accounts submitted to as, however
were SO lilly kept thatwe are not willing Il
4 vouch for this statement as being an Vtbine