Sacramento daily record-union. [volume] (Sacramento [Calif.]) 1875-1891, 1882-03-25
TAXPAYERS ASSOCIATIONS.

TAXPAYERS ASSOCIATIONS.
The Executive Committee of the Ta1pay-
ers' Protective Association heiaa a meeting
last evening at the office of Sweetser & Alsip
Present John Mcneil presiding, A. 4
Alsip Secretary, l.. L. Lewis, DIR. u. L.
Simmons, T. Nj. Lindley, C. II. Cummings,
Jos. Steffens. Jas. McClatchy, Frank Miller,
J. II. Carroll, A. Hebron, Fred Cox, W. z.
Coleman and l.. Williams, Mayor Brown,
Trustees Ryan and Guttenberger and Auditor
Mckee. Mayor Brown made lengthy and
elaborate statement relative TO the city
finances The Secretary also read lengthy
report of his examination into the facts rela-
tive to the city debt, the bonds, the liability
of the city on past due coupons, etc. nthis
report was written opinion from promi-
>nent law. firm relative to the liability OF the
city. Mayor Brown gave an opinion very
positively as the result Of mis- examination, and
the legal opinion referred to gave the same
expression, that the law providing that the
city should not be sued on its debt was re-
pealed by the adoption OF the city charter,
and that the city may sue and be sued, and
that If the city should fail Go levy the tax re-
ouired by the law relating to the bonded in
CITY can, by mandamus at the suit of credit
ors, be required by the Courts to levy and
collect the tax. The Mayor said be favored
following the law strictly to levy a tax az
nually sufficient to produce 1872, 400 interest
yearly.
A running debate followed OF question and
answer, intended TO evolve the facts relative
to the condition of the city debt and as to
what the law is relative thereto.
Mayor Brown said that the Trustees hold
that they must provide for the annual inter-
est. and will levy less than one per cent. for
the general fund whenever they can provide
for the annual interest and do so. He
said as executive officer Of the city
he had employed two competent at
torneys TO fight the present suits against
the CITY, and would contest them to the bitter
end. All the issues possible will be raised in
one or more of these suits, that a thorough
test of all may be made. Ia response to in
quiries, Mayor Brown said he believed the
Trustees were doing all and everything best
to be done in the premises. lie had strong
hopes of defeating the three suits o. n ling, ard
at the worst, if judgment is recoveredi it will
be for interest. and there can be no levy. So
long as the city obeys the law there can be
no effective legal proceedings against it. Mr..
Brown was subjected to q cross.examination
that lasted nearly two hours, in which he
took the position that the debt Is not a detri-
ment to the city; that the amount of debt is
not disproportionate to the assessed values,
and is far less in proportion thsn that of most
cities. That city with ST., OO0 600 values
AMI one and half f-.illion of debt, that
refuses to pay that debt, as it can, and as by
law and contract provided, acts dishonorably
and depreciates its standing to degree of
damage almost irreparable.
Mr.. McClatchy finally took the floor and
argued that the true position to take was,
"How can we not pay interest" while all
the other members seemed, ne said, to direct
their attention how best to pay the interest.
He held that steps should be taken to depre
ciate the bonds, and the way to do it was to
pay the least possible interest, and stand on
the letter of the law.
To this Mayer Brown responded warmly,
and declared that he, too, would follow the
law, and if there was to be reputation, or
the shadow of it, or any dishonorable act
to avoid paying the debt or interest, he would
resign his position. He declared that
the same honesty aud honor should bind
a municipality as should bind an individual.
To these sentiments the great majority OF
those present land most of them openly as
sented. The discussion that led up to this
general feeling was long, elaborate, and while
profoundly interesting, would be almost i'm
port
During the evening the air as fairly filled
with figures and became lambent with intrI-
cate calculations. A resolution was put into
effect under which the roll was called requir.
ing all members of the committee to respond
Eyes or no TO the question, Do you own
or control or have interest in any city bonds,
or does the firm or corporation OF business
with which you are connected own, control
~ ,,la i
mo" 4 resolution was adopted thanking
the Trustees for THEM attendance and the in
formation given, and heartily approving their
determination to warmly contest the pending
bond suits. After the transaction of some
other business of interest, the meeting adj
journed until Tuesday evening at 1880 o'clock,
at the same place.
Brio A.BRAc CLUB MEETING.-A business
meeting of the Bric-a. Brac Club was held
last evening at the residence of John Mill
ken, Il street. A goodly number Of members
were present, and important action was taken
on various matters. An election of officers
was held, to serve for the ensuing term, with
this result President, Norton Bush ; Vice.
President, Mrs. w. A. Hughson Secretary,
Miss Lucy G. 0Brien Treasurer, Mrs. j.
I'll. Lewis: Corresponding Secretary, Mrs.
Henry Edgerton. Il was announced by the
directory that the next reception to the
honorary members will be given at the resi-
dence of Charles McCreary, Tenth and L
streets, on Friday evening next. The follow
ing were elected last evening Hon. W. L.
Beatty and ID. NJ. Kenfeld, honorary men,
bsrs, and Miss Daisy Siddons az an active
member.
AUCTION. -Sherburn & Smith will sell on
Tuesday morning, March 2Sth, at 1880
O'clock all the furniture in the dwelling, No.
SIS Eighth street, comprising: One ma
hogany and marble-top chamber set, bed
steads, spring and top mattresses, walnut
hat-tree, bureaus, washstands, carpets. din
ing and kitchen tables, sewing machine, car
pets, parlor and cook stoves kitchen safes.