The Telegraph-courier. [volume] (Kenosha, Wis.) 1888-1946, 1890-10-16
HIGH ENOUGH.

In an interview recently with a member
that the city taxes would be raised to 4
per cent. next year. He stated 1t as a
thing that had been settled on and was
certain to be carried out. He is generally
well posted as to the minds of the rest Of
the Council and it may be taken as a
pretty we'll settled intention on the part of
the City Fathers Such an intention is
very likely not without certain good reas-
ons and should have weight, but the 9TH
er side of the question needs to be given.
Last year the taxpayers of this city paid
fne patrons Of the saloons paid an extra
S10 600 in the shape Of licenses, making
total of $50, 900 realized on 81 tax rate.
Of that sum ST. 900 was intended to APP
ply on the new school building and would
have been half of the amount necessary to
pay for the building. But the Council in
it's wisdom used So, 900 of the
amount to pay bonds Clearing per cent,
and now are borrowing money Of che To-
cal banks at six per cent. or over and
turned 49, 900 Of it into the contingent
fund Not content with the load the city
was already carrying, the Council pro-
ceeded to build an engine house at cost
Of about ST. 600 right in the midst Of its
difficulties in paying for the school build
ing. That makes 81, 900 this Council
has spent on the fire department in one
year The TELEGRAPH-COURIER is not
behind any one in proper appreciation
Of the work and value Of our fire depart
ment and is glad to see the boys Of the
department furnished with all the facili-
ties the city can afford and ordinarily
that amount would not cut such a large
figure, but just now when the city has
$35, 900 to pay on a school building it was
rank folly to load the taxpayers down
with the extra expense. -Four per cent.
taxes are enough to keep manufactures
out of Kenosha forever. 1T is a heavy
load on every man who by industry, en-
ergy and economy has accumulated
enough for the city to lay its hands on.
The wealthy will not feel it SO much as
those in moderate circumstances and the
poorer people, Public sentiment ought to
be expressed on this subject. 1t is who
~ unnecessary aid very poor policy for
the city to pay another dollar OF the prin-
e do IL h
lie improvements are pressing for atten-
ton 1t may be that this administration
has got itself into such hole that four
per cent. tax rate is absolutely necessary.
If So the taxpayers will have to submit,
and if they are anxious to pay that rate,
all right, but if not, succeeding Councils
ought to be a reflex of that desire. Three
and half per cent. is high enough to pay
the running expenses Of this city, iuclud-
| ing the $4,000 year to The McGivern
brigade and make necessary public i'm
provements with reasonable rapidity. 1t
| is quite interesting to note that the city
has suffered the disgrace of a Main street
that is worse than most country villages,
sewer that is almost utterly worthless,
and dark streets for 10 half a century,
and still endures them, but it is to have a
fine ornamental engine house added to its
already heavy load when the load is the
heaviest. No wonder the people outside
the city limits do not want to come in.
But then, thus is a Democratic admins
tration and perhaps it does the best it can.