The daily gazette., 1879-12-17

JUST So.-The Republican is truth
full for once whether it is honest in the
statement is not so certain. 1t says:
"The reason why Mr.. McMenamin
don't spend more than 800 week in
repairing and cleaning streets is because
he hasn't got the money to spend"
That Is very true. The Democrats in |
the Council reduced the tax rate last
year to $1.15 OH the 500, and find they
are likely to run short of money because
Of the large number of debts from old
contracts that hung over from the year
before and like sensible men are doing
no work that they cannot pay for in or
der TO get the city clear of debt, aud
have next years taxes to pay next years
expenses with. Heretofore, when the
Republicans in the City Council got into
issued City Scrip and went on rurning
in debt; and thus used up the money
before it was paid to the tax collectors.
The Republican continues
"Before the taxes of 1880 are paid in,
The street pay roll without great change
will be reduced down to $50 a week,
simply because there will be but little
money in the Treasury. But no matter,
this will answer the Gdzette's purpose as
well to show the economy of the Street
Committee. Economical? why yes,
they have to be economical when they
have no meney, and that is the only
reason"
Then Of course, according to the Re
pubiicdn's own admission the Demo
Gratis not having laid sufficient Tax, they
left the money in the peoples pockets.
The Democrats are acting more wisely
than the Republicans. They are usnl
economy because they are not permitted
TO borrow but they used economy be
fore the "Twenty-six" undertook TO pre-
vent them borrowing-they commence
economy when they reduced the ia.
rate to $1.15 and they are determine
To make that tax rate carry them /
next July if they can.
But while the "twenty-six" may hel
them to do so, they could not preveI
the Council from raising money if
chose to follow the example of the II,
publican Council and issue City Scri
and sell 1t, as they did, for 04 cents o
the dollar with back interest added.
1t Is to the credit of the Democrat
that, like sensible citizens in priva
life, they are making what money the
have bear the expenses. They will
this until next July if possible. If tn,
succeed they will then have no furth
difficulty, since they will have comiI
In thereafter all the revenue raised |
taxation.
Nothing could be more saiisfacto
to honest and fair minded people. 1
stead of expending $500 or $500 mon
on the streets, Mr.. McMenamin Is e
pending only about $50 week becau
he will not put the city in debt. G
anything be fairer?
In the matter of curbiDg and paw
the Council are still pursuing the sal
course which the Republicans did thu
years ago, with this difference, they hs
the work done for about 25 per ce
cheaper than the Republicans had
done.
When the Council gets ready it '
probably advertise for proposals for
ing this work, and whenever it does
the contract will be awarded. So far
one has been asked for proposals for
work by the Council, and, therefore,
proposals have been received; or N
that were accompanied with the us
legal bond. There is scarcely ever II
than 81 to 500 worth of it to give ou
one time.
Inc Govenor and Council of MI
Will issue the cert ific Al oa tn aapa ors