The daily intelligencer. [volume] (Seattle, Wash. Territory [i.e. Wash.]) 1876-1881, 1878-07-06
Indebtedness reduced


1t will be seen by the foregoing
statement of the financial condition of
the City that our debt is but little less
than it was at the date of my last an
nual report. This is due to the large
delinquent tax list of the past year,
and to the depreciation of City war
rants, owing TO the unsettled state of
our charter. Could the taxes have
been collected as closely the past year
as they were the year preceding, our
debt would be about four thousand dol
lars less than it now is, or about twelve
thousand dollars, an increase in two
years of little over two thousand
dollars This, under all the clrcum-
stances and difficulties encountered in
carrying On the government in the face
of decision of the court against the
charter, is 9 better showing than could
have been reasonably expected.
The tax levied for the ensuing year
and due in December, together with
the delinquent tax now due. ought, in
my judgment, to meet the running ex-
penses of the city, and reduce the debt
9. least one halt by the end of the next
fiscal year. Our amended city charter
provides that after 1880, eighteen
months hence. the liquor licenses col
lected in the City shall be paid into the
City Treasury. This will relieve the
general fund and no doubt permit a
reduction of the property tax consid-
erably below the present rate
1t will be noticed that the item for
assessing the City is for both 1877 and
1878. This 10 owing to delay in the
assessment last year
The item for attorneys fees is also
large, but considerable expense in this
direction has been unavoidable on &C,
count of the litigation in which the
City has been involved
The suit of the City for the posses
sion of the east half Of the Maynard
donation claim, has been appealed from
the General Land Office to the Depart
men. of the Interior. where it is now
pending.
The suit Of the City against II. l..
Yesler, to recover a street tax, is still
pending in the Supreme Court, and it is
earnestly hoped that decision of the
case may be reached at the July term,
in order that the delinquent assessments
for street improvement may be collected
and the books balanced, or if the mode
of assessment is declared illegal, that 3
new assessment may be made in con-
formity to the law and the matter fin
ally settled up.
The County Board having persistently
refused to assume the debt contracted
by the City for the care and msinten-
ance of INDECENT persons sick with the
small pox, l most respectfully recon-
mend that suit De commenced against
the county to recover the amount so ex-
pended.
In view of the urgent necessity of
some more efficient means to protect the
City from fire and save us from the
disaster of q great contiagration. pre-
liminary steps have already been taken
to secure first class steam fire engine
In my judgment this is a matter of the
first Importance. The possession by
the City of such an engine would not
only be reliable protection from fire,
but tend to reduce the rates of insur.
ance. and give feeling of safety and
security to the business community
which does not now exist
feel it my duty to call your atten
tion to the defective means of drainage
in our city. The frequent ana alarm
ing prevalence of zymotic disease in
our midst during the past two years,
gives most impressive emphasis to the
necessity of some thought aud action on
this subject. While many of our citizens
may be relied upon to keep everything
clean and wholesome about their dwell.
lngs. a great many, through careless.
ness or indifference, or for want of
proper knowledge. cannot be safely
trusted in this respect. Consequently
some stringent sanitary regulations are
necessary to compel such persons to
keep their water closets and sink drains
clesnsed and disinfected. Much NAV
be done in this way TO prevent disease,
but through drainage 10 salt water is
the only radical and effective remedy.
AS things are now, the sewerage from
one locality becomes . nuisance, and a
menace 10 health in another, and the
health officer Is powerless to remedy
the evil. / commend this matter TO
your earnest consideration.
There is no doubt that the business in
terests of the city imperatively de.
mands the completion of the CONNER
cial street grade to the railroad, and
the grading of that portion of Mill
street situated within the business part
of the city. These improvements
should be made while the weather is
favorable, and before the commence
ment of our winter rains.
would also recommend the revision
of our City Ordinances; for the reason
that they arc greatly in need of re
vision. aud are wanted in printed
form for the use Of the Council and
officers of the city.
In closing the last annual report,
said: Invoking the all of all good
citizens the new city government p:o-
pose 10 60 forward ard with the utmost
prudence aud economy in the admins.
tra,ion of our municipal affairs endeav.
or 10 place our city on firm founda-
ton, and re-esiablish its credit. What
then expressed as an earnest purpose
on our part is to. day an accomplished
fact. After many weary months of uu.
certainty. annoyance and discourage
ment We ut last stand on firm ground,
and are backed by unquestionabls