Fort Worth daily gazette. (Fort Worth, Tex.) 1882-1891, 1884-10-15
THn oITY.
Some Things Discussed Which Are Ag
ItAiInR tho Public Mind.

Some Things Discussed Which Are Ag-
ItatIng the Pabiic Mind.
The citizens Of Fort Worth who are
tax payers and who have the interest
OF the city at heart have been waiting
long and patiently for an Official re-
port OF the financial condition Of the
city. This lisa very important subject,
both TO those who are already bearing
the burden Of taxation and those
who are seeking an Investment
In town property. No business
man would put any considerable
money In any corporation without
first finding out whether or not that
corporation was In n healthy cOndi.
ton, aud we cannot expect 10 secure
investors until such times as we have
u financial statement from the proper
authority giving the desired informa-
ton. II Ia difficult 10 see how
q city treasurer can recon-
cile failure 10 publish this
statement with strict performance OF
duty. IL is duty particularly en-
Joined upon him by article 1896. chapter
Q of the Revised Statutes OF 1879; which
says In effect, that twice year the
treasurer shall cause TO be published,
at the expense OF the city, statement
showing the amount Of receipts, dis
bursements, etc. This has not been
done; or, at least, there Is no trace
OF II on record. No money has been
paid out for lts publication; no one
ever has seen II, and IL is safe 10
say that Il never has been
done, not even Ia the old style OF
FASTING aslip OF paper on the door OF
the city hall. II Is but justice to the
treasurer to say that TO make cor
Iect report of the clty's finances Is
difficult task, and without the aid OF
the finance committee, nearly impos-
slble. While the treasurer knows TO
cent the amount OF money he has on
hand, under the peculiar machinery
OF the city government, he cannot tell
what warrants have been drawn
against that fund. For instance, say
the treasurer has 800 on
hand, while he knows that
this amount will not be over
drawn, still he cannot tell how many
warrants have been issued against It,
or for what amount until they are pre-
sented for payment, and this Is not
done always, some people preferrlng
20 defer collection of these warrants
for many months. Thus II will be
seen that while the treasurer may
have the 500 on hand, IL has already
been drawn against and does not In
fact belong 10 the city. The finance
could easily tell
how many warrants have been Is
sued or by n little effort,
IL is not unlikely that the
treasurer could find out himself. 10
should be accomplished in some man
ner and at once. People naturally
like to see what becomes of the money
30 cheerfully paid In taxes for the adj
vancement OF the city. They want to
see, too, what kind OF trades and con-
tracts the city council makes; whether
too cheap or too expensive; they want
TO see each Item set out where II can
be seen and commented upon. While
there is perhaps a universal faith in
the ability, honesty and integrity OF
every officer In the employ Of the city,
the law requires that its finances be
published. People want 10 read IL and
are opposed 10 anything that savors
OF either negligence In falling to pub
lish, or star chamber practices in will
AhAtg WHICH,
should be accessible TO all. We hope
this matter will be attended TO, and
until such time as II Ii, THE GAZETTE
Will bear tho expense OF gathering
what information II can on the subject
for the benefit OF its patron, the pub
lie.
~
Albert Pike Ia said to have written a
book on FreemasonTy, which no one
In the world IL permitted to read until
after Pixies death, Are the affairs of
Fort Worth run ON Masonic principles?
-
"A moro economical administrntlo
of the affairs of the city Is demanded.
Money can be saved IN various ways
which has been spent In u manner
which Taxpayers would scarcely APP
prove of.
A few weeks ago sacked oats was de-
llyered on the Santa Fe railroad for
fifteen cents per bushel. Corn IL high
but oats and hay are cheap. Thirty
dollars per month Is big sum TO pay
for the feed Of two horses, when the
stable and attendance Is free. -Four
teams at $50 per month each is an item
worth looking after,