Pittsburg dispatch. [volume] (Pittsburg [Pa.]) 1880-1923, 1890-12-30
HIS HONOR TO COUNCILS.

mayor Gourley S nrSt annual message 10
Councils was presented by Chief Clerk
OstermaIer, and was read by Chairman
Ford, who became a trihe husky before he
reached the signature.
The forecast given in THE DISPATCH on
Sunday had prepared the members of Select
Council for the contents of the document,
and, as all the subjects touched upon had
been discussed in the press from time to
time, it created no undue excitement. The
full text of the message is as follows:
To the Honorable the Select and Common Coun-
cils:
GENTLEMEN-I deem it my duty, as the Chief
Executive Of the city, to respectfully submit
for your consideration several matters which,
at the present time, seem to possess special
Importance In this Communication these mat
tiers are taken up separately, and what have
to say concerning each is presented in con.
nection with each subject.
desire, in the first place. to call your atten-
tion to the fact that our sister city of Allegheny
has virtually become city of The second class,
and that any laws that may be enacted by the
Legislature touching cities of that class will
affect both Pittsburg and Allegheny alike. 1t
would, therefore, seem wise and e6pedient
that some suitable action should be taken by
the two cities in order that any legislation that
may be had may be harmonious and for the
best interests of both. For this reason respect
fully suggest the appointment of q special com
mlttee to have charge of the matter of State
legislation, and which shall meet and consult
with similar committee appointed for the
same purpose by Allegheny.
Similar Legislation for Both Cities.
The great Importance of this matter at the
present time is apparent, because many per-
sons in our own city entertain the opinion that
the act of 1857, known as the New Charter,
should be amended by the incoming Legisa-
ture; and it is moreover probable that Allie
gheny City will especially desire some change
in the provisions of that act The law to which
l refer was enacted entirely with reference to
this city, and differs materially in its character
of legislation from all other acts relating to the
government of other cities OF the State. 1t
briefly prescrIbes the form of the city govern
ment and leaves the details 10 be adjusted by
ordinance of Councils.
II Is flexible in its character, permitting
change in the methods of the government by
simply changing the ordinances of the city.
The ordinances. therefore, of two cities of the
second class adopted to carry the city govern
ment into effect may be entirely different and
thus suited to the requirements of the respec-
tive cities of that class
This act of 1887 preserves all previous legisla-
ton touching cities of the second class, not in
conflict with it or repealed by 1t, and as it re-
lates only TO the form of government of such
cities nearly all the previous legislation on
other matters is retained. Under this act
therefore Pittsourg and Allegheny may enjoy
similar form of government without interior
ence with the existing laws of either regarding
other matters. In these respects the act is a
wonderful improvementover all previous legis-
latlon relating to the same subject, but is still
imperfect. In the opinion of many people the
act of 1857 should be amended by the Legisla-
ture so as to change the form Of government in
several respects, as follows:
The Mayor Wants More Power.
First, the Mayors of such cities should he in
with 0Ua nd i1N,lff
their governments.
Second, some simple and expeditions method
should be provided for the trial and punish
ment of city officers.
The heads of departments should be elected
by the people, and their official term reduced
from four to three years.
These officers are now elected by Councils,
and the charge is frequently made that with
the political power which they can utilize
through the instrumentality of their appointees
and employees, they can either Jointly or other
wise control the election of a sufficient number
of Councilmen, especially friendly to them
to virtually insure their own reelection, IL is
further urged that the citizen being called
upon to vote directly for the head of the de-
partnent. will exercise more discrimination in
making his selection than he generally does
when voting for member of Council who
under existing law, becomes his representative
in this important particular. Through an cleo
tion by the people it Is claimed that the bonds
of affinity between Councils and the depart
ments will be broken except in SO far as the
relation is preserved by ordinances of Coun-
cils Councils will thus become the guard OF
the city and not Of the departments.
1t is furthermore argued that, as the heads of
the three principal departments of the city
government-Public W Woras Public Safety and
Charities-eXpend annually more than 81 co., =
000, and administer affairs which vitallv affect
the welfare OF all the people, they should be
directly responsible to the citizens whose inter-
ests are so wholly committed to their kaepipp
An application to the Legislature for a chanre
in our government would have greater weight
if supported 10y the approval of both cities of
the second class, and l. therefore, ask YOUR
favorable consideration of the suggestion for
some conference with the authorities OF Allie
gheny City.
Discrimination in Making Assessments,
The new charter requires that the Board of
Assessors shall assess all property taxable for
city purposes at It's actual cash value After
determining as nearly as may be the cash value.
it becomes their duty under the act of Assem-
bly, approved May B 1876 to classify the real
estate so assessed or valued in such manner as
to discriminate between built-up property
rural or suburban property, and property used
exclusively for agricultural farm purposes
This same act requires that the full rate of
taxes shall be calculated upon one-haif the
cash value of agricultural property upon two
thirds of the cash value of rural or suburban
property, and upon the full cash value
Of built-up property. It will be observed
taxable for city purposes should be assessed at
It's actual cash value. While this rule is cen-
orally applied in determining the value of what
Is known as built-up property, it has not been
and is not now adhered 10 in fixing the values
OF properties classified as rural or agricultural
l could designate a tract embracing l25 acres
classified as agricultural. which could not be
purchased for less than $500 900 or S6OOOO and
which is paying taxes to the city on a net yalua-
tion of about S4O.O00
This is but one of the numerous instances
-. .s.-N,AA A1a Sod .1,n
not observed, but is absolutely ignored in de-
termining the value of what Is designated as
agricultural property. II the property referred
to is worth in the market S500,000, it should
pay a tax upon valuation OF not less than
$50 600. Examine the descriptive list of prom
erty assessed as rural i'll the pamphlet published
by the Board of Assessors and you Will be
forceC o the conclusion that there must be
something radically wrong in the method of as
sessment
Good Work Done by the Assessors.
Much has been done during the last few
years. especially in some portions of the CITY.
toward equaliZing the assessed values of prop
critics, put much has yet to be accomplished be-
fore our system of taxation meets the require
ments of the law or can be recognized as even
comparatively just to the people. 4 radical
reformation must come sooner or later which
will insure Just and impartial valuations and
distribute IN an equitable manner the burden
of taxation which at the present time is un-
equally borne by the people. This subject
presents fertile field for investigation and
trust that Councils will give it the considera-
ton its Importance demands.
The act of Assembly. approved June is, 1888,
directs the Councils of cities of the second
class to provide by ordinance for the invest!
ment by the Controller of all balances remain
ing to the credit of the sinking fund of said
citIes in the loans of said cities, the loans of
the United States, or the loans of the State of
Pennsylvania, and the income derived from
such investment shall, on collection be credited
to the several funds respectively.
The language of the act is clear and explicit
ana under il the duty deYolYes upon Corncils