Wood County reporter. [volume] (Grand Rapids [i.e. Wisconsin Rapids], Wis.) 1857-1923, 1879-04-10

Total indebtedness, S5147.73
At the request of the owner of
the judgment for s578.79, no tax
was levied to extinguish that obliga-
ton, and hence that item still stands
against the city. During last fall,
the engine bonds was converted in
to Judgment, which, together with
various others, amounted to $4,000
SO; and this, added to the old iudg-
ment, makes a total of S5580.65.
Of this judgment Indebtedness, we
have just paid $3214.43, leaving I'M
paid the sum of s2366.22. So that
on the 18th day of March, 1879, our
Indebtedness was as follows:
Outstanding Orders, Observation-Disclosures 1o64 IL
Due on Judgments. NEUTRALITY-SUSPICIOUS.. 2366. %
Total, S543o. IS
In city treasury, 1929 "a
Total indebte ansss, s190O41
There is in the hands of the
county treasurer quite a sum ON de-
iinquent taxes paid to him since last
fall, which includes about one-third
of the "Rablin tax" of over $4,000.
Of this latter item of about $4,000,
one-fourth will 60 into our school
district treasury and another por-
ton will be paid to Judgment cred
itors-the precise figures of which l
am unable to obtain to-day. But
reckoning the latter at $500 and
placing the $500 which will go into
the school treasury against city in
debtedness, and it is reduced to
81, 2O0.41.
Again, it is probable that the
amount now in the hands of county
treasurer and other amounts in pro
cess of adjustment, will entirely ex-
tinguish all obligations against the
city, excepting that which the coun-
ty holds. This Indebtedness is
about 81, 500, and the county has in
trust for the city about $4,000 rep
.reseutedjn tax certificates and de-
linqpent taxes. 1t is confidently ex-
peoted that the redemption of these
certificates, on the reCurn of business
prosperity upon which we are just
now entering, will over-balanee this
Observation-Disclosures, So that in fact
it will be source Of revenue, in &C
tual money, to our city treasury.
Besides, we have paid $1,000 on
state school loan, as we'll as $420 of
interest on the same. The estimates
of the board of education and the
amount that will be asked Of you to
levy for school purposes for the COM
ing year will be at least $1,000 less
than that of last year.
And now just as we are about to
emerge from financial embarrassment
and to levy for the coming year a
smaller tax than has been levied for
several years past, prominent citi-
zen-one who has been honored with
Offices Of trust and emolument many
times, and who now holds a lucra-
tive position by the suferance Of his
neighbors-has instituted legal. pro-
ceedings 70. recover against the city
for an alleged damage sustained by
his wife, by reason of defective
sidewalk, some six years. since. As
a precaution against future suits,
several prominent taxpayers and
most excellent citizens have asked
me TO recommend to you to condemn
and remove every sidewalk in the
city, excepting the one leading from
the G. B. & NJ. r. R. depot to the
bridge and from the bridge to the
top Of ''Searls' Hill" TO this re-
quest 1 cannot accede; but I would
suggest that all sidewalks that are
not absolutely necessary and in very
bad condition, be SO condemned and
taken up. The one On Drake street
is in wretched condition and must
be either removed or repaired with
out delay.
THE FIRE DEPARTMENT.
Because we have had no destruc-
tive fire for few years past, and be-
cause of the cost necessary to main
tain, ths steam fire engine, there is a
demand on every hand that tbs ex
penses be cut down to the lowest
possible limit. This demand is rea
sonable. While it is desirable to re-
tain the services of the present eff
cient engineer, yet in view of the
chespness of all the necessaries Of
life and Of the appreciation of our
City Orders, he ought to be, and un-
doubtedly is, willing to submit tc a
reduction Of his salary.
CITY PRINTING.
Again I would call your attention
to Sec. 9 Of Chapter 8, Of the city
charter, relating to all printing au
thorized and required to be done fer
the city, and to Sec. 4 of Chapter 4
which provides that Gall laws, ordi-
nances, regulations, resolutions and
bylaws shall be passed by an affirm
alive vote of a majority of the COM
mon council and shall be signed by
the mayor, and shall be published IN
paper or papers, to be selected by
the council, printed in said city, be-
fore the same shall be in force. p
This latter provision of law renders
necessary the publication Of every
act by this council, and it seems to
me clearly your duty to make the ne