The daily intelligencer. [volume] (Seattle, Wash. Territory [i.e. Wash.]) 1876-1881, 1877-07-18

IL Will Dc seen ny tho ADoSe state'
ment Of the condition Of the different
funds, that the city debt has been con-
siasrably increased the past year. One
year ago the debt Of the city was be-
tween nine aud ten thousand dollars.
At the same time contracts had been
let for the grading Of Front street
from Mill street to Pike street; also
portions of Madison, Marion and Mill
streets. the aggregate contract price
for the work amounting to $50 900 90
The necessary expenses attending these
improvements has been the principal
cause of increase in the city debt, the
city having to pay for grading street
intersections, and for putting down
such drains and sewers as the progress
of the work made necessary. In order
that this work Of improving the
streets might 60 on to completion. il
bsa heeu ,asesss.rx for the. citX-IY ysS7;
as shown in the above financial state
ment. between three and four thousA nj
dollars.
In addition to the extraordinary ex.
penses thus incurred. it WAS found eS
pedient, on account Of the character OF
the grade. the nature Of the ground
and the dissatisfaction and opposition
Of many Of the property owners, and
with the consent of the contractor to
suspend the work On Mill street grade
and for the city to assume bills slread y
contracted amounting to six thousand
AND twenty che dollars. The city has
also paid five hundred dollars for re-
pairing crihbing on Front street. made
necessary by defective plan of csnstruc-
ton.
Altogether the city has paid fol
street improvement the past year be-
tween four and Ave thousand dollars
This amount does not include work
done on streets by the Street Commits.
sioner, and is exclusive OF the special
tax On property for street improvement
but may be considered an extraordinary
expenditure. which could not be
avoided without . violation Of con-
tract and the abrupt termination Of a
great public improvement. which IN
my Judgment is worth oil it has cost.
Another considerable item If ex-
psnse has been incurred in prosecuting
several Law suits in which the city 10 OF
has been involved A suit is now
pending in the General Land Office iii
Washington on the part Of the city for
the possession of the east half Of the
Maynard donstion claim. smother sui,
6rough, against the city at the last
term Of the Dis.ric, Court for damages
MAS gained 10y the city, and still
another is yet pending by which the
city seeks 10 recover street tax from
II l.. Yesler.
The item for attorneys fees includes
the gallery Of city attorney.
The expense attending the case and
maintenance Of indigen; persons. sick
with small pox, have been heavy and
fallen almost entirely upon the city.
Earnest appeals have been made Ia the
County Commissioners 10 assume even
4 part OF this expense. bu, 80 far they
have failed TO do 30.
Seattle being On Important commer-
cial center. in diecs communication BY
steamer with oil important points on
the coast, "a repetition Of this years ex-
psrience may befall 10 at any time. if
small pox should become prevalent at
any If the points with which we are in
direct communications. In view Of these
facts. constsn, vigilance aud careful
preventative and sanitary measures are
of the frs; importance Our facilities
for taking care of persons affected with
contagious diseases are temporary and
inadequate, and We have no means 20
enable US 90 make them BETTER.
The amount ut tAxes going into the
city fund il insufficient to NEE: the or
binary demands OF the city govsrn-
ment, On that fund. and totally made
Quats 10 meet such extraordinary de-
mAnds ~ from time 10 time may.
and will. inevitably. I've male upon it.
To obvia,e this embarrassment. and 20
enable the city 70 properly NEE; such
emergencies IN the future. and upon the
ground :ha, j; is right and just. would
respectfully recon- mend that At the
mex, meeting of our Territorial Legs
ls'ure, o. ef'or, lie made "a have our
city charter 50 amended ~ 30 require
the liquor licenses collected IL the city
10 be paid into the city treasury.
In conducting the lusiueas of the
city, the present city government has