Sacramento daily record-union. [volume] (Sacramento [Calif.]) 1875-1891, 1883-02-08
CITY FINANCES.

1t is charged that the City Trustees, in
making tax levies in the past two years,
have taken "snap judgment" whatever
that may mean, upon their constituents,
and that this has been done in the interest
of holders Of coupons and city bonds.
This is, in plain English, a charge that the
gentlemen referred to have violated their
oAths of Office and have been derellct OF
duty. The local journal which makes this
allegation does so with deliberation. but
saves point behind which to retreat by
expressing it as its Judgment" we are
neither the champions of the City Trus-
tees, nor in their councils; but at the
hazard of being denounced as the
organ of bloated and grasping bond
holders. we undertake, in behalf of Sacra-
mento and common fairness, TO suggest
that such charge ia unwarranted We
have observed the administration Of the
present Board, and have found it wise, dis
Greet and solely in the interests of the
people of the city of Sacramento. We
have seen nothing in the conduct of these
gentlemen, since their advent into Office,
TO warrant the indictment so coarsely pre-
ferred against them. The simple truth is
that under their administration the affairs
of the city, under adverse circumstances,
have been so conducted that reduction
of taxation is about to take place OF no
less than twenty per cent. while continu-
ance Of the same policy will bring the tax
levy next year to the low figure OF 81 20,
probably. The Trustees are just as honest
as the men who doubt their integrity, and
the attempt to cast odium upon them be-
cause they, in official position, differ as to
city financial affairs from some who are not
under the legal oath, is objectionable and
not in the line of legitimate criticism. The
city of Sacramento must preserve its good
name and credit, and abide by all decisions
made under the law. She cannot afford, IN
the slightest degree, to suggest reputation,
for reputation is dishonesty, and he who
advocates it is dishonest There is no good
citizen, property holder or not, who does
not desire that the city shall prosper, and
who does not realize that q low rate of
taxation is desirable; in fact, that the pos
sible minimum shall be reached as soon as
is possible-and once reached, maintained.
There is no good citizen, be he rich or poor,
who does not desire the Burdens of govern
ment to rest as lightly as is possible but,
at the came time, there is no good citizen
who will advocate reputation in any form
whatsoever. The iterated cry for given
! arbitrary rate of taxation irrespective OF
the surrounding conditions, is of no mo-
ment whatever in the face of our duty be-
fore the law. Until it ia established that
Messrs. Brown, Gutenberger and Ryan
have willfully violated their solemn oaths
of office, or neglected their bounden
duty, all good and right minded citizens
will indulge in the presumption that they
have been faithful and honest So far as
this journal is concerned, It's position is
well known. It favors the lowest taxation
possible consistent with honest dealing be-
fore the law and the credit and fair fame
of the city, and the blotting out or adjust
ment of her indebtedness on the very
best terms possible to be obtained.
Beyond this expression it will deem it
lost time and labor to give tie subject con-
sideration, no matter how voluble the
tongue that shall impugn, or however
ready the pen that shall question the hon.
esty Of its motive.