The comet. [volume] (Jackson, Miss.) 1877-1882, 1879-03-29
HsTK FINANCES

-"
ol A lafBe End thoroughly Representative
as meeting OF our citizens was held at tbs
~ hall of tho House of Representatives last
~ Friday night to take into consideration the
present depressed condition of our city
, finances. Mr.. John W. Robinson called
+ tho meeting to order, and moved that DIR.
:. II. Kells be elected Chairman which was
carried, Hon. o. Clifton was elected secre.
. tary. Col. Nugent then Offered the fol-
lowing preamble and resolutions which
explain fully the object of tho meeting.
i. WHEREAS, On the 2lst OF April 1873, tho Mayor
= and Alderman Of the city OF Jackson were author
izcd by act OF the Legislature, 10 refund the out
standing debt OF our city to the amount Of $780, 900.
The proviso to the third section of said act prohib
tng the issuance in any year. Of warrants in excess
OF the revenue Of said city for that year and,
WHEREAS, Notwithstanding said prohibition
warrants Issued, subsequent to the 18th day Of
April 1875 In excess Of the Of said city to
such an extent, that the LIST day of February 1876
the said Mayor and Alderman We're, by another net
of the Legislature, passed that day, authorized
and empowered to issue additional series of
bonds, to bear interest at the rate of eight per
cent per annum, limit being fixed to the
amount OF bonds which were to be issued; and
| WHEREAS, The rate OF taxation has increased in |
order to provide for the payment of warrants which
were issued in excess of revenue and the arrants
of said city have continually gone down in value;
| and
WHEREAS, Tho taxpayers and people of said
city interested in the matter and desire to know
the reason for this anomalous condition Of things
and to be protected against the oft recurring funding
bills under laws which place no limit upon the
power to issue bonds in payment thereof; therefore,
belt
1. ReSolved, That the Chairman appoint CONF
mttee of three discreet accountants, citizens Of said
city, who are hereby charged with the duty Of max
ing full, fair and impassoned examination of the
books papers, records, vouchers, settlements and
accounts in the Office of said Mayor and Aldermen.
and in the Office of City Assessor and Collector of
taxes and ascertain all the facts and for the
present condition of things and report to future
Convention of the taxpayers OF this city.
2. That the Chairman appoint a committee OF n
three citizens of this city who shall be charged
with the duty of consulting with the first committee
appointed under these resolutions after they shall
have concluded their examination and report to S
this Convention what steps, if any may be neces-
ing and reduce the present rate OF taxation as well
as to formulate plan to prevent future difficulties
Col Nugent, in WELT speech, sup ~
ported the resolutions. Ii
Mayor McGill stated that while the pre-
amble was not correct in every particular, ~
yet he would offer no captious opposition %
to its passage, preferring to let the whole :,
matter be thoroughly sifted by competent r. r.
and full, fair and impartial
report made to the next meeting.
Remarks were also made by Judge Har- =,
is, Capt. Estelle, and others, after which,
he preamble and resolutions were passed, "a
All the members of the city govern
nent were present, none of whom offer
d any objections to a full investiga- III
ion; but on the other hand, insisted
pon it. To prevent an erroneous inn -,
Impression from taking root in the minds Gil
4 those abroad, and also to allay an inns fr
ression in the minds of some in our own IN
ity that there is anything "rotten in Dem Fin
lark, as the old saying goes, We give be- oh
wv list of the city officers, some of
HON are our largest taxpayers and prop ~ ~
rty owners, and all of whom are upright fo,
nd honorable men, and we'll known to sci
ur community: iol
inC
OFFICERS OF THE CITY GOVERNMENT. by
Jno. McGill, Mayor; H. Barksdale, City of
Jerk; J. d. Monahan, Assessor; I. Strauss, Col
treasurer; M. Fay, Marshal; E. ii. Reber, his
ollector.
ALDERMEN. ute
North Ward-H. Spengler, J. 8. Hamil- tax
m da,
South Ward--Chas. Williams, w. @. ba,
ovid. Co
West Ward-John Clingan, Thos. An els
,rson wa
-. sus
Since the meeting ths following COM res
ittes have been appointed and are now at rig
ork, and will be ready to report at an CIV
rly day: Advisory ommittee-Messrs. of of
:. L. Nugent, Jno. W. Robinson and H. its.
Taylor, Committee to examine the ope
,oks, papers and accounts of the city teo
essrs. o. Clifton, 1, Strauss and B. w.
riffith, no
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