Daily globe., 1879-06-06

ST.. PAUL, June 3, 1879.
President Rhodes in the chair.
Present-Ald. Allen, Bell, Dowlan, Grace,
Griggs, Minea, O'Connor, Smith, Sanborn,
Mr.. President-1O.
COMMUNICATIONS
From the City Comptroller-
ST. PAUL, June 3, 1879.
70 the Honorable the President and Common
Council of the city of st. Paul.
GENTLEMEN: The city charter docs not per-
nit the lcvyiug tax for an amount in excess |
of the $40, 900 Legislative appropriation Tor the
erection and completion of the contemplated
market house at cost OF SoS, o!o' not lnclrd-
ing painting and glazing, heating. sewerage
plumbing. etc, which will probably cost
) | | sou more makinga tot excess of $50 900
over the appropriation which must be pro-
v,ed for before II contract can be properly
executed.
In the matter of levying taxes for the ':gen-
cral fund.- the city charter is very clear as to
the powers Of your honorable body, as shown
by the following sections of chapter 1--WE, viz:
Sec. 3. ITO provide general fund to pay
the general current ana inciden VI expenses of
the city, including salaries of L hcers. police,
street force, fire department, lighting the city.
water department, printing and stationery,
AMI for Il contingent fund not exceeding ten
thousand dollars, and to provide for the pres
ervation of the health of the city; but the
amount Of money to be raised for the ;bove
purposes shall only be so much will be
necessary, in addition to the amount received
from licenses fines, markets, and other Incl
dental sources. for the economical administra-
tion of the affairs of the city, and shall not ex-
coed ten l0) mills on the dollar of the assessed
value Of the taxable property of the city; anil
the moncy so raiSed shat not be erpenaed for any
other purpose than ubove Statr1.'
Sec. 4. The said levy shall be made by the
said Cam CODDci1 on Or hpfOrc the first 1ay
OF November of each year, etc, etc.
Sec. 26. The tax to be levied under Sec
tion four for the general fund shall lem brace
the following specific Objects which shall be in
clnded and itemized in the annual
report Of the City Comptroller, as re-
quired by section eight of chapter three
of this act, to-wit: Salaries of city officers,
police department, expenses of city hall, fire
department, board of health, water depart
ment, street lamp Department. contingent
fund, and for such other specific purpose
purposes are prescribed by laws heretofore
enacted and still in force, as aforesaid, and the
taxes levied and collected for such specific OBJ
iect objects, shall be applied only to defray
the expenditures, together with the arrearages
due and unnaid, for such specific object or OBJ
jects, which arrraraGcs or Indebtedness shall be
provided for in the next tax levy"
All revenues other than taxes such as licenses,
fines, market collections, etc, are already APP
propriated by section 3 to the general fund.-
to pay for the specific objects mentioned there
in-therefore your honorable body cannot 9TH
erwse ordaln.
The illegal commission" in the revision of
the city charter, displayed much wisdom in
framing CHAPTER five relating to finances and
taxation, in guarding against the levying of
excessive taxes for purposes not prescribed by
law.
The city of St. Paul financially ranks with
the great cities, and holds the palm of being
toya oft tha mi
teen U3) mills on the dollar for all Du1poses-
including State. county and school tax-based
upon S23, 0OOOC0, assessed valuation of real
and personal estate at about fifty per cent of
the cash valuation.
T0,D tarcS, without impairiug the finances
and efficiency of the city government, should
be the aim and pride of all having charge of
public affairs. Your honorable body has shown
4 desire to do this in the reduction of salaries
which is exceedingly commendable; similar
economy in other matters will be productive Of
much good.
In place of the ordinance introduced at your
last regular meeting-requiring tax levy Of
one and one half 90 mills for he excess of
the authorized appropriation Tor the con-
strnction of the new market house, most re-
spectfully suggest the passage of an ordinance
approprating much of the delinquent taxes
due fom the year 1877 and prior
years-applicable to the general fund.-
and not otherwise appropriated, requir-
ing stipulation in the contract
that in the money is not in the treasury in
consequence of the said tax or any part there
of remaining unpaid, at the completion of the
contradiction the contractor shall be entitled
to interest," at the rate of per cent per annunl,
payable scmi-annually, upon whatever balance
may be due upon tie contract, from the date
of allowance by cuplmon council.
1t is probable tint a sufficient amount from
such delinquent takes will be in the city treas
anp1i,uha ~
completion of the market house. Very respect
fully your obedient servant,
JOHN w. ROCHE, City Comptroller.
From L. II. Huddleston Bnd others
Remonstrance against proposed sewer on
Wabashaw street between Igehart street and
College avenue.
Referred to Board of Public Works.
From N kosenield-
Asking to have license transferred to 2s
West Third street.
Referred to G. mmittee on License.
From D. W. Wellman for Mary r. Well
man
Protesting against thee proposed change
of grade on Marshall avenue.
Referred to Aldermen of Fourth Ward.
From John SchiIlo and others
Asking tho Council to order a change in
the present plan of grading Park avenue.
Referred to Committee on Streets ant
City Engineer.
From St. Paul Water Company
Giving notice of having laid street main
and located hydrants as ordered by Chief o
Fire Department..
r ferred to Comptroller.
From Board of Education, City of St. Paul
Presenting statement of moneys neces
sary for support of the public schools.
Referred to Committee OH Ways an
Means, City Attorney and Comptroller.
From John G. Hinkel and others
Protesting against the grade of Holl
avenue.
Referred to Aldermen of tho Fourth War.
From Samuel Mayall-
Asking to have the construction Of side
walks on the west side of Sibley street frol
Fourth to Fifth streets, delayed for the peric
of four months.
Referred to the Board of Public Work
with request that prayer of petitioner
granted.
From the German American Bank. the Sa
Jugs Bank of st. Panl, and the Farmer
s Mechanics Bank
Presenting bonds as security for money
deposited OF to be deposited.
Referred to City Attorney.
REPORTS OF OFFICERS.
Of City Comptroller
OFFICE OF THE CRY COMPTROLLER,
ST. PAUL. June 8, 1879.
To the Honorable the President and Comm
Council of the City of st. Paul.
The attached communication of the st. Pa
Water Company relative to 2, lO3 feet of nc
mains laid is probably correct. but have
means of knowing. The matter should be
ferred to Engineer Sewall for measuremer
and, at the same time, prepare map showil
the location Of all street mains, hydran
measurements, ETC.. as the city is paying s
hundred dollars per mile per annum t. t
Water Company for street mains upon abo
fourteen miles. The said map should al
show tie location of all street lamps. as t
lighting at present costs about $4,000 p
annum.
The gas and water bills are probably corree
but a thorough check is necessary aud cam
be objected to.
Yours respectfully,
JouN w. ROCHE,
City Comptroller.
Referred to the City Engineer.
Of same
Presenting apditsd claims, VIZ:
James Carr, Estimate No 3, grading MI,