The Lambertville record. [volume] (Lambertville, N.J.) 1872-1968, 1880-07-28
For THE RECORD.
SPENDING OTHER PEOPLE S MONEY.


might talk TO half dozen or more, who
would each advocate different project for
the expenditure of the public money, and ey-
cry one would be able TO advance good rea-
sons why his favorite scheme should be car
ried into effect by liberal appropriation !;
aud the result would be, if they all had their
way, to swamp the city in another slough Of
debt.
In reply, an able writer boldly advocated
the contraction of future debt for improve
ments, citing as examples for imitation, cer-
tain cities which have issued their bonds for
millions Of dollars. Being utterly opposed to
any such course. aud conceiving that there
lies iu the future some danger of such re-
suit, have endeavored to combat that idea,
believing, as do, that in our future progress
we should take sure Footsteps and whilst de-
voting what we can spare for improvements,
keep our expenditures within our receipts.
with no additional burdens upon the people.
And | seriously believe that taking series of
years together, greater aud more substantial
progress may be made in this way than in any
other.
It is ev;dent that the ouest;on of having
onr streets lies ut the roof IF the whole mat
ter Whilst everybody comedies the neces-
sity of an improvement of some kind, there
appears to be in regard TO this paving ques-
ton, three different sentiments prevailing
One party. perhaps. the most numerous. who
are onnosed ia the exnend;ture Of the nnblic
money for any naving at all ALLEGING that
if the streets are nronerlv worked. thew NAV
trade and business demand and our finances
will afford. Another marty conoede the nro--
priety of this paving work being done. with
a fair norton of aid FINN the. c;tv. as fast MS
the funds in the trensurv win permit. hut are
opposed to the contraction az debt for that
or any other purpose. and recognize the
fairness of n,ac;ng a inst nronort;on of the
street exnenditure- unon thosa streets whore
the taxahla va,,at;o, "a h,g,,est With Ills
Marty Mace nvself There are however n
few nersons too ;n,a,;ont q, ,y,;t 60, th;e
gradual nrooress who arc ready at all hazards
and all sacrifices tn do AT once and bv one Of
fort. the work which can only he done in
series Of wears by the former method. To NO.
eomplish this. they woud have the Civ
plunge once more into debt. and TINS renew
in another shane. all the burdens Of the
bounty bonds. inst at . time when we are as
Gaping from it. and lust as ou,. taxpayers are
beginning to experience feeling Of relief
Those who advocate this measure relv FIR
their Justification upon some supnosed nros-
perity to follow. which would COMPENSATE for
the burden. but this believe to be a delusion
and a snare and one point wish to Illus
49,, . - .,.;.,.. ar - -.
increases III proportion to the improvement
The cost of this work has been estimated by
t,o,.s h,,,., ,,,;,,a.sa,,,, s,,,.,,
N"o"s nv" u"'se's ai'y s"0' eS'''h"'os a'o Ga
ceeueu III pracUce, anu no uOuOl, II our city
once began we could spend 100000 in Bel
gian blocks aud sewerage as easy as wink
Suppose we did so, it is only i've per cent of
our taxable valuation, which is in round
two millions OF dollars, A debt of
only five pei cent. certainly does not sound SO
very high, when you speak of 1t in that way
but what would be our increase of taxation
to meet the interest upon that five per cent.
of valuation Many, without stopping to
figure, viii no doubt say, why five per cent,
of course. But If that be the answer it is
mistake, for the increase would be thirty per
cent. Our present tax is in round numbers
$780, COO, Of which the County and State take
rather more than one-third-but call it that
for easy calcuation-we have then, say, $780,
600 left for all City purposes combined. Now
look at the increase
Present taxation. ............ $4,000
Increase thirty per cent ........ 1900
Too, ;n.ro,.od ,..,;,, eoo ooo
Dine County and state. one-thi,d 130o0
Balance ..,.........-. S26, 600
i"'o'es' on no" 'o"us o'ooo
Balance as before 500 600
No steal;uos. no wast;ngs M money ;n;,-
expended supposed 10 be worth its cost and
vet. thirtu ner cent. added annually to the
n r :.