The daily phoenix. [volume] (Columbia, S.C.) 1865-1878, 1875-06-19

Nh. EDITOR: The communication of
Major w. B. Guliok, published in the
PHUN1x, Of the 10th, as we'll as the state
ment of the city finances, published
heretofore In the Herald and PHGNIx, by
the Committee Of Twenty, are, as stated
by Major Gulick, matters of business,
and conducted by business men, to show
the citizens our present financial condi-
ton, with view Of promoting retrench-
ment and reform in the future. There
is not one word in the report of the Com
mittee, or in the communication of Mai.
Gulick, which are partisan in their ma
ture. The posting of the city books was
done by Capt. j. L. Little, (Republican,) J
clerk in the Comptroller-G Generals Office,
md Mr. G. NJ. Walker, Cashier of the
doubt, been done impartially and accu-
rately. The books are open for the in
spection of the public, and will verify
the result as summed up by the Citizens
Committee. The bonded debt, bills
payable and city cnrrency outstanding
are on record, and no misrepresentation
by mixing up figures by General Stol-
brand or Hon. l.. Cass Carpenter, will
change the facts. Major Gulick has
shown that the actual amount paid on
the City Hall is SCI, ,428. "a, and not $751;
822.34, as stated by the Hon. Mr.. Car
penter, and that SG6, 900 was diverted to
other purposes by Council.
The honorable ex-membcr of Congress
claims payment of interest for the year
ending March 81, 1870, amounting to
Mayor Alexander's administration, as an
amount paid by him, when the books
and the report of the Citizens Commit
tee show to the contrary. These two
items alone show that the figures of the
honorable gentleman are incorrect to the
amount of $58,049.4O. I shall not at
tempt to follow up the arithmetic of the
Hon. bIr. Carpenter and Gen. Stolbrand,
but will take from the records of Coun-
Gil the reports Of the Citizens Committee
and the admissions of Messrs. Carpenter
and Stolbrand, 30 far as they agree with
the facts, and place the same before the
public in different shape from the
statements of either, which will show
the result of the past five years admi-
nistration Of the city government In
making this statement, do not desire
to be understood as rejecting upon the
stood that the extravagance and misma-
nagement of their predecessors have
been source OF great embarrassment to
them, and that they have reduced e1-
penses in many particulars. The actual
result, however, has to be stated to date,
and the amount Of actual debt outstand-
ing has to be taken into consideration, tc
show our condition as compared with the
past administration of city officers.
Mr.. Walter r. Jones, late City Clerk
and Treasurer, and at present Private
Secretary to Gov. Chamberlain, stated
the entire Indebtedness on April l, 1874,
as amounting to from s725, 600 to $780,
OOO. This statement was made at the
citizens meeting, held at Irwin's Hall,
for the purpose Of investigating the
financial condition of the city shall
assume that the debt was at that time
e725' 900, and proceed to place the pre-
sent condition Of the city before the
public:
Debt, as stated by Major Gulick May
81, 1870, 1895, 1924. 10, lat which time
Mayor Alexander went into ofice3 five
years interest on indebtedness of CITY,
from March 81, 1865, to March 81, 1870,
at s23. .096 per annum. s11O, 48O; less
interest paid year ending March 81,
1866, s5,459; less interest paid wear
ending March 81, 1867, S5, 26O. 2G; less
interest paid year ending March 81,
1868, 50, $50. ID; less interest paid year
ending March 81. 1859, $40, ,435 40; less
interest paid year ending March 81,
1870, S3l, ,656.57--S65, 3S6.3G; coupons
outstanding, acknowledged by Hon.
Mr: Carpenter, viz: sl5, ,O93.G4: mis-
cellancous accounts outstanding, csti-
mated by old Council May31, 1870,
$1,000; account of Joseph Crews,
ms certified by Mayor Gibbcs, sl,50O.
From which is to be deducted c., C. &
A. X. L. stock sold year ending March
81, 1871, $40, 1880; do. do, March 81,
1872, SIX, ,SS8. $3.50, ,076. 33 Actual debt
of city of Columbia, 3Iny 81, 1870, in
Guiding bonds. city money, bills paya-
bie' coupons and floating debt, s397,-
84l.36 Estimated debt city of Colum-
bia March 81, 1874. s725, 200. Deduct
amount paid on City Hall contract, $751;
420. .94; deduct amount paid, water pipes
and expenses of laying the same, s2l,-
lo4. 8G-Ss2, 6l3.SO. Amount of debt,
less improvements, March 81, 1874,
$G42, 3S6.2O. Deduct therefrom debt
May 81, 1870, as stnted above, s397.-