The Memphis appeal. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1886-1890, 1888-12-22
g co total rate

q co total rate Total yicld. ...... $50 COO
The estimates for each Of the various
departments, made after trimming down
10 the very lowest notch. are as follows:
Fine, $50, $50; police, So, 600; health. S33.-
$50; hospital, 81, $50; lighting, S2g,OjO
The estimate for the Fire Department con-
tcmplatcd the putting on OF one new com
pany, the purchase ul two new engines
tnow in the city on trial, aud the pay
ment OF a $1,000 bill for new hose and
apparatus No account was taken OF new
buildings for this department, for which
there has been popular clamor for the
reason that the cry would he raised:
They are luNuries Tor which we can
wait. The increase Of revenue for il
over last year il only about Si5. 900, all for
imperative enlargement and improvement
10 meet the demands Of n growing CITY
On none OF the other departments has
there been material increase, and the
School Board for awhile insisted upon
Sll, 600 more than recommended by the
Commissioners This is the $500 levy.
Now for the S23j rate recommended by
the Committee OF Fifteen and adopted by
the meeting OF ninety-one citizens at the
Merchants Exchange. Deduct from that
amount the rate Of 80 cents, fixed by them
for streets and sewers, aud there remains
Sl.S0. Make a further deduction Of 10
cents, fixed by law for the sinking fund,
and Sl.70 remains for interest, fire. police,
lighting schools, school buildings, board
OF health aud garbage, hospital and water.
The amount fixed ~ needed by the com.
missioners for these purposes sums up, in
the aggregate, SiSS. $50. with delinquent
cies Of 10 per cent. deducted. The COM
mittee's balance Of rate Of Sl.70 on the to-
tai valuation Of S27, zoo, 600 makes $40 900
without allowing for delinquents, which
will aggregate S70.635. The reduction will
leave 800, 265, n difference Of SIS, 1856 be-
tween the two estimates.
The serious difficulty presenting itself Is
In pointing out the departments upon
which the difference is 10 fall. II cannot
be taken from interest and water, because
they are fixed contracts from which there
IL no escape. IL cannot be applied 10
schools and school buildings, when the
board made good claim 10 $1,000 more
than It got in the budget This leaves
only the fire, police, lightning, Board Of
Health and garbage and hospital 10 con-
slider. The total amount Of levy for them
IL $4,000. Top oil that SIS. 1855, and you
have left but Sl2j,7lj. These are the hg-
asl-'Ht hhh ~ - W. AhhFN WIZ NANt HUNNl-
dered the responsibility for them to make
an apporionmcnt that will consist.
What can the council do should the
recommendation OF tbs Committee of
Fifteen be adopted by the Legislature?
Something must drop, and drop very
hard. The commissioners know what Il
needed, and just how lar given amount
for each department will carry II they
cannot, M at present organized, pull
through the year on what i allowed, then
they must be regulated. Some ten men
each will have TO be- released from the
Fire and Police Departments, or salaries
Of the existing force reduced 10 q point
that will bring in wholesale designations.
there can be no retention Of the two now
engines Ia the former aud no hose worthy
the name Tor the balance. electric lights |
will have TO 60, aud what can be done for |
the Board OF Health and garbage aud |
llospital2
Mr.. Elias lowcnstcin, as n member OF |
the Taxpayers Association committee
appointed 10 wait upon the council In the |
matter Of the budget, stated before the |
meeting Tuesday night that be- went
there bent upon s. levy aud no moro. |
lie heard the Arguments advanced bv |
President MADDEN and others for S2G0. |
aud left m advocate Of that rate. Mr.. |
lowcnslcin also believed most OF his as.
sgciaics were In the mmc state Of mind. |
Mr. Lowcnstein'B conversion looks very |
much rs II there was virtue In those argu. |
mcnla.