The Providence news. (Providence [R.I.]) 1891-1906, 1891-12-01
GOOD BUSINESS METHODS.
StrikingIy ExemrIi6ed in the cOnduc,
ofProvidence Affairs.

10 Me Edttor Q The Providence Neics:
1t does not appear that our citizens
need work themselves into condition Of
nervous apprehension nor imagine the
city nearing bankruptcy ON account Of the
city's Indebtedness, even il they take as
true statement the juggled figures Of the
most unscrupulous calamity declaimers.
IL is true that the Telegrdn's statement
OF the net debt Of Providence includes
large amount that the city has
the right TO borrow, but has not
yet expended. Still allow the figures
OF the most extravagant statement" net
debt 81, 1O5, OIL. Is made in the Telegram,
and compare this with the State valuation
for purposes OF State taxation as found in
the State manual lsS0-9l, viz, Sl6S. .547, ,126
and it will readily be seen that the in
debtedness Is less than 81 per cent. of our
valuation. But this indebtedness does
not represent expenditures for the run
ming expenses Of the city government,
those are met by ample resources from
the annual tax.
The whole of the Indebtedness repre-
sentS actual property bought for public
uses, exactly as house and lot purchased
by an individual would represent the
value or the purchase money. Leyond
this large portion of this property in
cluding the water works, is so valuable,
that if owned by an individual, il would
est on its cost and the exp .nses OF main
tainance but would pay handsome
bonus over and above all TO its owner.
Some Of the other property such as school
houses, public buildings, parks, high
wavs, sewers, land, etc, while represent
ing real value are for the free use Of our
citizens.
If this property was owned by an indi.
vidual very slight charge for its use
world pay an enormous income over in.
Il -. -.
Nnce. In other words, our Indebtedness
represents first-class property, greatly ex-
ceeding in value the amount Of indebted.
ness.
1t is exactly as though a citizen, In thu
receipt Of good income ample for r':n-
ming expenses and owning In addition free
and clear an estate worth 10000, should
conclude TO crafty his desire for an i'm
provement on his estate TO the amount or
81, 1000 and give his note for the same TO
be paid at his convenience. Such course
would hardly brand an individual as
reckless spendthrift nor injure his reputa-
tion as shrewd and careful business man.
The question whether the city shall ex-
pend $500, 900 for school buildings for the
accommodation OF hundreds of children
who otherwise must be crowded into cell
lars, entries or unsafe halls, or be denied
the advantages OF the public schools, is of
proportiopate magnitude to the problem
that would be presented to the owner OF a
house worth 70 800, who desired To repair
leaky roof at an expense OF $40
The expenditure by the oity of $4,000
for a park equals in comparative financial
magnitude the problem Of citizen, who,
upon carefully counting bis wealth and
finding himself worth S9,742, should con-
clude that he could afford TO take his
family for days outing in the country at
an expense Of -.
OF course Providence must govern the
amount Of expenditures even for desirable
Objects but II the people demand such
improvements as have been authorized by
the General Assembly and ordered by the
City Council, nobody need get themselves
into any agony of mind over the matter.
Ii those who believe the people do not
desire sewers, lights and highways as pro-
jected will examine the list OF applica-
tions in these particulars, they will find
the demand far ahead of the ability Of the
city to furnish.
Let, if those who believe that the people
do not desire ample and comfortable
school-rooms for their children go before
the people on that issue if they dare.
Let some aspirant for public Office plant
himself on the platform OF hindering ter
minal facilities and announce himself in
favor of leaving our depot and cove lands
in their former condition, and he Will be
enlightened, If not elected.
AS to parks, ii is beyond gainsaying that
liberal expenditure for public parks has
always been Of exceeding popularity and
has always greatly enhanced the business
and increased the taxable value of prop
erty in every city where such liberal ex
penditure has been made.
The hue and cry against these improve
ments meets with no sympathy among
the people. They are rather impatient
that the projected improvements should
be FASTENED to "A conclusion, and that the
stagnation that has come from obstruc-
tion should no longer be tolerated or al
lowed to thwart the progress of the city.
This has already been shown by the hearty
denomination of the city government who
have advocated these improvements, and
will, on Tuesday, be more emphatically
expressed by their election.
TAXPAYER.