Wheeling register. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1878-1935, 1884-08-13
elIMPsEs OF TRUTH
Beginning to Dawn on Our Reform
b. Council sEo - lsa p
Cutting Down Revenue bu. Not Expenses
Reducing Taxes-7-Where Reform
Is Needed---The Loan 0rdin-
apce---ROutine
Work. -

Last nights regular session OF the Coun-
Gil was mainly devoted TO wrestling with the
financial question, and for the first time the
gravity of he situation seemed to have
impressed itself on the minds of the mem
bers. No ready solution Of the problem
was offered and none offered itself Moth
ing was more apparent th'n that something
must be done but what was best was not
evolved. Though the mountain was in
labor, not so much as a mouse was brought
forth. The subject first came up on the
ordinance fixing
THE ANNUAL TAX LEVY,
and the feeling of retrenchment was first
made manifest in move 10 cut away from
the Board of Public Works the revenue
resulting from the 10 cent paving levy.
The ordinance, as reported by the commit
tee, provided for the following:
On real estate, levy of 80 cents on each
800 valuation. ..'
On personal property levy Of so cents
on each 800 valuation.
On each tithable (head tax) so cents.
On each 500 valuation of real and per-
sonal property, levy of 10 cents to go to
the Board of Public Works for paving and
macadamizing new streets.
This is exactly the same as last year S
lew, and the revenue derived therefrom
would be precisely the same. The FIRST
movement in the direction of retrenchment
was motion by Mr.. Jones to strike out the
10 cent levy, which would have the effect
of Ia
REDUCING THE REVENUE
about $4,000. In the discussion which re-
suited from this, the Board Of Public Works
was brought out and treated to a regular
castigation. Extravaganza was the mild
est form of expression, while reckless
extravaganza" was on. the tongue of nearly
every member. Finally the motion prevailed
and the 10 cent levy was knocked out.
Col Wilkinson then threw bombsheil
into camp by offering an amendment pro-
yiding for a levy of 10 cents on each 500
of valuation of real estate, the revenue re-
sulting therefrom to be used exclusively in
paying off the compromise 3 per cent loan.
This raised q decided breeze. The COM
promise loan, as its name indicates was a
loan which funded, at compromise, the
old Hemp6eld, NJ and c. and c. 4 p rail
road bonds, and about $4,000 of them are
still outstanding. Mr.. Wilkinson maintain
I'd that in the agreement of redeemng
hem a. an inverse ratio to their discount,
hey were all due; but Mr.. Hildreth con,
tended they were not, and that it was fool
:sh TO provide now, by special taxation, for
heir payment While he was talking, Col.
Wilkinson
WHISPERED IN HIS EAR
that the condition of these bonds ought
not to be made public, which gentle admo-
milton, he repeated to the reporters saying
most of these bonds were held in Europe
and few in New York, and our condition
should not get into the papers, But alas
1t is Ill known now and the press evidently
agrees with Mr.. Hildreth that nothing
should be kept back. %
The amendment was lost and the ordi-
nance was then passed. It stands iLe same
as last year with the exception that the 10
cent paving fund was taken of, and the
same amount as last year VIII pass lhto tue
the general treasury.
THE TROUBLE IN A NUTSHELL
This, however does absolutely nothing
toward ameliorating the situation. The
trouble is simply this: The tax limit is en-
,irely too low to meet ordinary expenses.
Under its charter the city can place the levy
no higher than 80 cents. This was fixed
in 1886 and was all right for that time.
But valuations have not increased to keep
pace with city expenses and the limit is en-
tirely too low. One Of the best tinanciers
in the city recently said; THE 80 cent
limit is insufficient to city necessities and
will always keep us in tight place. The
Legislature should be asked to increase it. "
This is the situation, and it is submitted
to thinking people for their decision.