Sacramento daily record-union., 1881-03-07

In the tax of 1874 and 1875 there was pro-
vided only cents each year for levee and
drainage purposes, while in 1879 the tax of
81 30 included 81 cents for levee and drain.
age.
The property tax for 1881 is estimated in
the above table at the same as in $780, Itcan-
not, however, be reasonably estimated at above
$40, 000,00 in view of the fact that values
must be taken as they are on the first Mon.
day of March, with the southern part of the
city overhowed, and the further fact that the
present Legislature has exempted stocks and
savings banks deposits from taxation. The
resources of the city, other than from the
property tax, cannot be any greater in 1881
than in 1880, except in one particular. Not
more than S20,0 900 can be obtained from IL
censes, police fines and harbor dues. The
Water Works, now for the first time in eight
years, may be expected to produce revenue
to the city, and such net revenue cannot ex-
ceed $50, 900 for the current year. charging
the same water rates as during 1880. "Tax-
payer" a Bee correspondent, says that tax
of 81 will provide money enough 'to pay
the expenses of our schools, fire and police
departments, run the City Library for the
year, pay what has to be paid to Mrs Fowle,
and leave $40, 900 for the use of our levees
and drainage system" This estimate pro-
vides nothing for street repairs, sewer repairs
and sprinkling, which last year required q
cents, and nothing for that portion of
of officers and other general expenses
(not provided for by special taxes), which has
for many years past required not less than
Is cents Thus Taxpayer, for the purpose
of making his facts fit his figures instead of
making the figures fit the facts, as he ought
to do, conveniently omits the above 45 cents.
The FIVE subjects of special taxation men
toned, namely, schools, fire department, po-
lice, Fowle bonds and library, last year
required SO cents. The same subjects this
year require 50 cents. Add to this the AZ
cents above mentioned, which can no more
be dispensed with than any other tax, and we
have 81 27. In the 81 tax of last year was
included special levee and drainage tax of
15 cents This year the same tax is Is cents,
which is as high tax as the law authorizing
special tax for that purpose permits. 1t
is admitted on all hands " that much more
money than this special tax will produce will
be required this year for levee, drainage and
sewer purposes, all of which necessities
must be met by the general fund; so
also must all demands for street repairs
and sprinkhng be paid from the general
fund. The special taxes OF last year
lnciuueu streeV-Iepair anu spIInhhnS SaA, u
cents bond-redemption tax, "A cents sewer
repair tax, cents, equal to 81 cents. But
these taxes are not included in the special
taxes of the present year. Taxpayer" estl-
mates the whole city revenue with one-per-
cent tax at S184, 600. This estimate is at least
S2s, 900 too high. He allows S34, 900 out of
this for the city's creditors, and then says
If any candidate for Mayor thinks this city
can't get along this year with S1S4,000 rev.
enue he had better step down and out" 1t
is evident that Taxpayer is not for Mr..
Green, who, when Mayor in 1877, levied a tax
of 81 and in 1876 tax of 81 0S, and in 1879
upon property assessment of S11, GIL ,776)
a tax of 81 67, only three cents of which was
for levee and drainage, and in 1874 upon
81 IA. only three cents of which was for levee
and drainage. Y.