Wheeling register. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1878-1935, 1884-10-25

cussiOn oil that question.
The city's power of taxation is limited by
charter to so cents on each 500 valuation
of real and personal property in the city,
and SO cents on each tithable, except that
by the act authorizing the compromise of
1860 the city was authorized to levy a
sufficient tax on real estate to provide for
the compromise settlement
/ believe that for the purpose of provid-
ing the annual sinking fund required by
The compromise loan ordinance, special
taxes on real estate may be annually levied
in excess of so cents on the 500.
We have authority under recent legiSa-
ton to levy annually tax Of not more
than 10 cents in addition to the so cents on
each 500 value OF real and personal prop
erty, which 10 cent levy is to be used solely
for new paving, new matchmaking and new
sewers.
THE SEVERAL LOANS.
When the compromise loan Of 1860 was
made the Council was pledged to provide
annually sinking fund to pay the interest
on the bonds OF that loan, and to lift an
nually part of said bonds.
The loan of 1871, known as the List 4
Davenport loan, requires that out OF the
first revenues received annually, there be
let apart sac, 600. to be used in paying in
terest and reducing the principal OF that
debt.
The Public Building Loan OF 1865, and
he loans of 1877 and 1881 were created
under the provisions of the new consttu-
lion and the ordinances creating those
loans expressly require an annual sinking
fund TO he provided for, by the levy OF
direct annual tax, so as to comply with the
reou rements of the constitution and OF
statute passed to give effect TO the constltu-
ton. Yet how have the requirements OF
these various loans been met in the past?
Instead of making separate levies for each
or any of them which would have required
considerable splitting up of the levy, the
Council has for years been making single
levy Of fifty cents on each one hundred
dollars value of all real and personal prop
erty, and the funds arising from such taxes,
after satisfying the requirements OF the
List d Davenport Loan sinking fund Tor
$40 .000, have been placed (along with
uEds derived from some other sources)
where they could be drawn upon for what
ever municipal purpose first presented it
self And so it always comes TO pass that the
,ntire revenues of each year are absorbed
very early and then the faith Of the city TO
rs creditors holding its bonds, and to its
riEcr creditors, including officers, is kept
,nlv BY the issuing Of orders on an empty
treasury, the orders being cashed by banks
md capitalists for our city who are willing
10 advance the money.
CITY REVENUES.
The money now annually required to pro
zoe for redemption of loans and for sala-
,ltS. prisons, markets cemeteries, scales,
oIice department health department and
Il re Il, pariment. will come, am informed
'v the City Clerk, within s., 900 Of cousum-
rg the revenues from all sources Except
he ten cent levy which come directly or
Indirectly within the control Of Council.
There is therefore left not over s., 900 for
The repairs upon, and care Of the streets, and
ior allincidental and contingent expenses OF
TIC city. Yet by the Board ofPublic Works
ordinance more than 81, 1000 Of those
revenues is set apart for the use ofthat board,
leaving large deficit annually by opera
ton, we might say, OF the ordinances them
selves, which deficit is largely increased by
expenditures ordered bv Council and the
Board of Public Works.
But ! imagine that the request for an
opinion upon the legal status of the 'tloat-
ing Indebtedness was not made with
view to refunding the debt or any part OF 1t,
,iut rather to bring out some plan by which
il can be properly funded, and also some
nan by which the creation Of like debts
may be efTectually prevented in the future.
1t has been held that though debt has
neen contracted in an unauthorized man.
ler, it may berendered valid by such sane
ION OF authority as would have lawfully
authorized it in the first instance.
Therefore this Indebtedness may be taken
p with money borrowed in the manner pro-
,ided BY law upon bonds issued with the
,onsen, of three-ifths Of the voters.
A loan ordinance similar TO that which
was recently defeated BY a vote Of more
han three-ffths will be required and will
require the ratification Of three-ifths Of the
voters voting on the question.
TO PREVENT FUTURE EMBARRASSMENT.
In making suggestions of means for the
rcvention OF future embarrassment, must
lie brief First ! believe it is imperatively
necessary to increase the annual revenues
Il the city. Ifthis is done by direct taxa.
lion Except for the compromise lOau) the
! charter must be altered.
The revenue may he increased by raising
The water rents and the price Of gas, and
taking part of the revenues from those
T. onrces, But the act in relation to the
Boards" should be amended in order to Dc
o. Ii may be done by increasing license
:axes No act Of inc Legislatu e is re-
| aired for that. The market house fee:
nd wharfage rates might be slightly in
| ,rtased
2rd. Reirenchment in expenses and 6
strict compliance with the law are absolute
" NJ cessary.
As a means tending to secure these esdI
would suggest changes in the charter re
Iucirg the representation in Council to no,
xceeding ole halt Of the prcsent number
and giving the Majors office more power
believe the Mayor should have a veto
over and reasonable supervisory power
over other officers He should be given
large responsibilities and should be paid for
| his services.
3rd believe the duty of enjoining lie.
| gal contracts and undertakings by the
Council and other city officers and agents
should not be left wholly to the voluntary
action Of citizens In regard to this subies,
The Ohio idea is good one
Cities in Ohio are classified and governed
by general laws
The revised statutes OF Ohio contain the
following provisions:
Sec iii He (the city solicitor) shall
apply to court OF competent jurisdiction
tor an order or injunction To restrain the
nisarplication of funds Of the corporation,
the abuse Of ito corporate powers, or the
-xccuiion or performance Of any contract
made in behalf of the corporation in con.
raveniion Of the laws or ordinances gov.
,.rnipg the same or which was procured by
;Eaud or corruption.
Sec 1873. In case he fail upon the re.
luest Of any tax payer of the corporation. to
make the application provided for in the