The Indiana State sentinel. [volume] (Indianapolis) 1868-1895, 1889-01-02
DON'T REMOVE THE LIMIT
OPPOSITION TO MIR. DENNIS PLAN.
Citizens Generally Think the Present Rate
of Taxation High Enough-A General
Distrust of the CounciI-Property
Owners Give Their Views.

The deplOrable condition of the city's finsn-
ces and the means for remedying that
condition are subjects receiving a vast deal of
attention from the citizens OF indianapolis just
At present On all sides il is conceded that
some relief must be provided, but as to what
form that system of relief shall take there is a
very decided difference of opinion.
Mayor Denny has suggested that the present
tax limitation of 90 cents per hundred for gen.
sraI purposes be removed. This suggestion on
the part of the mayor does not meet with
very hearty Endorsement in any quarter except
Hmong the contractors. who want plenty of
money and few restrictions upon its expendi-
lures
Yesterday a number of large property own
ers were interviewed and their opinions will
be found below. 1t viii be seen that while
some would be wiling 10 accept an increase OF
the rate OF taxation, there are none who favor
the removal OF all limitation upon that rate 1t
is also noticeable that but few of the gentlemen
interviewed think there Is aay necessity 10
even raising the present limit. This is doubt
less due 10 the fact that all recognize the pres
snt valuation for taxing purposes as far be-
low the actual market value of property IN
Indianapolis
Another noticeable feature OF the interviews.
and one not very fatteTing 10 the character Of
the councils, is that nearly all express dis
trust of those bodies. and insist that if the
limit be removed, additional restrictions be
placed upon the expenditure OF the city funds,
30 that the reckless extravaganza Of the past
and present shall not be repeated in the future.
To SENTINEL reporters the following ex-
pressions OF opinion were gwen:
John T. Frenzel-''In my judgment, il would
be mistake, under the EXISTING order OF the
management OF our municipal affairs, to in
crease the limit OF the tax levy. Considered
in the light Of their past record. 1t does not come
with good grace To ask tins additional privilege.
Our authorities must be able 10 show cleaner
score. To widen the tax privilege without pro-
vidine the necessary safeguards 20 insure better
and more patriotic management, Is simply 10
invite increased extravaganza and iObbery."
John W Murphy am opposed 10 the re-
m0val OF the tax limit Of go cents, so long as
the present council has anything 10 do with
pending the money. There must be new
order OF things before would favor an increase
d taxation"
A-B. Condnitt-'The tax levy isaIready high
enough. ! think that pay enough taxes and
I think everyone else that pays taxes thinks
sbout the same. These politicians never
satisfied you know that. Ii they were given
ssl they asked, there is telling what they
would want. am opposed 10 taking on the
tax limit
N. O'Connor-'I do not believe il wise TO
take of ali restrictions on the tax levy. II the
city must have fUnds ] think that some other
luetnOu OF relltf tudn taxing on Ninety cent
limit could be found. \ vehicle tax, | think,
would be Just. vt any rate ] not in favor
ri increasing TIE levy withou, proper safe
guards, in the matter OF ezpendlng the money.
being adopted
VK Hendrieks-"It Is strange 10 me that
the city finances eannUt be administered in
business way. / have not given the question
ri increasing the levy tax, however, sufficient
consideration 10 warrant my saying much about
il al present.
=. IL
financially and 1t is imperative that something
be done at once. | see no reason why the tax
Limitation should not be increased. Ii we ever
expect TO make 2 city cut 0l indianapolis we
must spend money. But / do not see that ii is
positively necessary to raise the tax limitation
20 get money. For my part ! am decidedly in
favor OF raising the saloon tax at least SlO0.
Then q vehicle tax woul{ raise $4,000 or Si0,-
ttD per year Tor tn city and we ought TO have
2 tax Of this kind There IL no use expecting
the gas companies 10 make the streets as good
as they found them, and the city great cx-
tent viii have 70 bear the expense of their re-
construction
T. :. Ayers-sI haven't given the subject
much thought. but nevertheless am afraid 10
Jet the bars down. indianapolis was plunged
hopelessly in debt few years ago by increaS-
lag the tax limitation and fear the result OF a
second experiment. Still / think the tax limit
might be increased alittle as the citys finances
are evidently very much strained.
John II. ButleT-'Have given the matter no
thought but ii the city needs money, raise the
rake Of taxation"
Theo p Haughey-"I am not in favor Of
allowing the council much swing IN financial
matters. Stin / think the rate OF taxation
ijtle low and ] know that the school tax
should be increased
William Gallup, Meridian national bank
There ought 70 be q prudent, economical
management Of the city's finances, but the
city should receive a sufficient income not
only n stand the current expenses, but also to
pay some Of the bonded debt every year.
They are paying more interest now than what
was the original income when l came to Indi-
annapolis II the city was free of debt IL
would be the greatest advertisement and in
ducement for the investment of capital that
could be offered. can't but what the
city has very little to show for the money that
has been expended"
Frank NJ. Churehman Fletcher & Church
man, bankersf-''We don't know anything
about such matters We don't want TO get our
names into the papeT."
y. +. MalOtt-'I am decidedly against any
Increase. From what 1 can observe the year
1850 is going o. be 4 very prosperous one for
indianapolis, financially. indianapolis has
become the cynosure OF the eyes OF investment,
Had the first thing capitalist asks when he is
contemplating an Investment is: What is the
ate OF taxatonz, The rate Is high enough, and
Mould remain where II is.
Charles Mayer oil Mayer 4 CO.-"The rate
most certainly should be increased. We need
money and need IL bad. The rate Is too low
aud II would be- no harm 10 raise II 4 few cents"
Mr. Bassett Of Pettis, Bassett & CO.-"In-
7iauapolis needs great many things that she
las not got. Ii she is TO gee them she must
have more money"
p. IT. Parry OF the Parry Manufacturing COM
pany-"I do not believe in letting the bars
down, but do not think slight increase would
make much difference 10 the community. All
] say is, keep the council out Of the pie and
things viii be lovely
The SESTEEL's 1fty dollar prissggessing
soztest on Horyiso,ts cabinet 'ciH remain open
sentd FEB. I.