The Sunday tatler and Jersey City express. (Jersey City, N.J.) 1883-1886, 1885-01-11
WHAT THEY HAVE DONE.
ROW 1nE FINANCE HOARD HAS
RESTORED THE CXxY,S CREDIT.


Reducirss & the Debt Waahout Increasing
thc 'eaxes-Economy Without xns-
painting the Public Service.
There is still good deal Of gossip around
the City Hall about the proposed Board of
Finance deal in the Board Of Aldermen
which the TArTLER exposed two weeks ago.
Ex-Alderman Jimmy" Reid, who was
talked Of as member, has refused to ac-
cept, and in doing SO publishes letter in
which he says that be believes the people
are more than satisfied with the manage
ment Of the present Financiers. and AID
erman Pearl billiard is quoted as authority
for the statement that three, at least, of the
Board will refuse to enter into any combi-
nation that will displace the present mem
beers. The latest bit of gossip is that
Aldermen Reynolds and Furman are at
loggerheads, and that neither will give the
other any assistance in connection with
new places in or under the Board of
Finance.
Meanwhile the TATTLER has made it his
business to learn what the present Board
has done for the city, and from the several
departments has learned some facts that
make decidedly creditable showing for
their management of affairs The readers
of the TATTLER know that year ago, when
the old Board resigned, city bonds were a
drug on the market at 80 per cent, and
that improvement bonds could scarcely be
given away. Recent sales of city bonds
show that they now command their face
and interest everywhere. This has been
accomplished, too, Notwithstanding the
fact that the Board has within year re-
duced the city debt by the amount of $685.
1913. Is, SO that the credit of the city has
not been bolstered up by temporary loans.
Nor has the reduction of the debt enlarged
the tax burdens. Tax values have not
been increased, and the tax rate has been
put down from S32, 80 on the thousand to
$3.50, and this makes provision, too. for
the reserve of 10 per cent dividend for
the Sinking Fund If the BOARD remains
in office the prospect is that the tax
rate will be reduced next year to
S25 on the thousand. This happy
result has been brought about by
q more ready payment of taxes by the
taxpayers. A resolution of Commissioners
DATES, for instance, cutting off the water
of those who fail to pay their water rents,
has turned in $4,000. Economy in ex-
penditure is another source Of wealth. The
contract system the Board OF Finance is
enforcing wherever it is practicable, is
earning money for the taxpayers. II .
cost of cleaning the streets and sewers
which was, under the old system of last
year $48, 1856 81, will be better done for
$50, 900 this year. The payroll of the Elk
tensions and Distribution Bureau in the
Board of Works, has been cut down from
81, 500 per month or thereabouts to $780,
The laying Of water pipes, which cost last
year so per foot, will cost this year, un-
der the contract system. but little if any
more than 75c per foot. So in the repairs
and building of school houses, it is all done
by contract, and money is saved. Neither
is there to be any sinking of public moneys
for improvements. None viii be made un-
less two-thirds of the property owners along
the line petition for it, and then they must
give bonds to pay their assessments within
year.
This is the kind of work that has put the
city on her financial feet again, and ac-
counts for the fact that public sentiment is
unanimously against any change.