Wichita eagle. [volume] (Wichita, Kan.) 1886-1890, 1888-02-09
FACTS AND FIGURES
GAINED AT THE OFFICE OF THE
CITY CLERK AND TREASURER
Concerning the Recent Expenses Of
the City GOvernment-..Talk
of COuncilmen.

Concerning the city finances, City Urea
surer c. l.. Adams and Carney, of the
city clerks office, yesterday stated that in
their opinion the city at the last of the year
would run short of money unless the city
council put more of check on eXpen-
ditures. During the last year the city had
paid out for miscellaneous purposes over
SIS, 900, and much more would doubtless,
according to the natural run of events
would be required this year. The calcula-
ton brought out the probable amount
coming into the city treasury during the
year about $4,000. OF this $4,000 come
in as taxes, the remaining to be. placed in
the treasury through the city clerk in
licenses and the police judge. OF the $50,
600 to come from these two sources the
latter was expected TO turn in
at least an average of $1,000
per month making $50, coo and the balance
to come from the city licenses. This
source was figured down more closely
than last year as about $1,000 had been
secured last year from real estate men
alone
As to the money from the police judge:
the month of January last shows S704.56.
A drop of nearly 81 400 from the previous
month. His honor so far this month
shows an average little better than for
January and the police court stock seems
to be very low in the market and not
likely to put in -, 600 per month.
The money from the city clerk promises
to be something less than last year, and
taking it all in all it is not the opinion
at the Office of city clerk and
treasurer that from the various sources of
revenue, the city this year will get Sl20,
COO. While it was expected to get this
amount into the treasury for expenses, it
could not be easily estimated what amount
would be necessary to keep in good repair
the working machinery of the city. 1t
might take less than that amount or it
might take more. The experience, how
ever, SO far has made it very suspicious
that at the present rate of expenditures
even more than $4,000 will be needed.
The city has collected from the county
$50, since November, and from other
sources about 5000. OF this there is now
in the city treasury $4,000, and according
to the assistant city clerks statement there
are nearly enough bills now awaiting the
action of the council next Monday night
to wipe out the remaining
SIC, coo now in the treasury The fact that
from November, less than three months,
the expenses have been about $4,000, or
5000 less than for the entire last year,
and the money now expected in the treas
ury for this years expenses is less than
double the amount already spent causes
the opinion in the city clerk and treas
urer's office that at the present rate of con-
tracing bills the council may want more
money by the end of the year than they
can command.
Some of the members of the city council
were accosted on the question yesterday
and strange as 1t may seem one or two
seemed to have given the question little
thought and were not prepared to venture
even guess at the probable income Of the
city, what would be expended or
what had been expended, Others
however, seemed to remember something
about the many bills and the 2:2O gait of
expense so far and were somewhat concern
ed over the matter One of the members
commenced to tell about this and that bill
amounting to so and so, which had been
contranted that did not advance the cause
of civilization to any alarming extent and
in all probability if it had not been con
tracted the city would have gone along
just as smoothly and not from any advan-
tage gained by such expenditure
have known the difference. This wry face
over split milk, however, did not seem to
bring any immediate relief and the only
thing that seemed to come to his mind in
the way of salvation was to grasp the
purse string more firmly or adopt more
policy. The fact of the police
costing the city 81, 400 per month and their
work turning in half that amount for last
month was paralyzer he could
scarcely get over. He hoped
however, that the police would strike an
other month like august last, when they
upset into the lap of his honor s4,475.65
He did not, however, think the police
should be on hand for revenue only, but
the rule had been for them to more than
pay their way and he did not rejoice at the
slight variance.
''In a measure" he continued, this can
not be helped. This is new city and the
council is not paying for repairs but actually
buying new things, as we are compelled to
do like ell other cities. The expense now
is much greater than at any other time,
because the purchase price is always great
er than running expenses. We Were forced
to get better equipped fire department
No one, take it, can object to this and the
apparatus we have bought. Well the
lighting of the city by taking in blinkers is
now costing $4,000 annually, and
increasing with each council meeting as
some one comes in wanting new light.
This is not purchase business, but running
expenses. The water main extensions also
cost the city so much every three hundred
feet which. also, is amounting to some
thing. 1t would be difficult to mention
everything, but bear in mind this great
j is made great, is put
up TO the big figures by the
first cost of number of things, we are
compelled to get and even next year can
see how it is possible for the city 5 expenses
TO be less than this year. However we
will get along nicely and don't let anyone
be alarmed. If we have been too expensive
we will tone down aud in short if liberal
allowance for expenses is going t. run
short, we will hold up.