St. Paul daily globe. [volume] (Saint Paul, Minn.) 1884-1896, 1891-02-06
Expert Bends Financial Re-
port Backs UP the Comp
trOllep.
Abatement of Finances Sim
plified for ALI to UnderA
stand.
The Chamber Of Fossils Has
Its emi-Weekly Chance
to Talk.
And Talk, Without Much Else,
Occupies It's Even
ing.

slime may come, and time may GO,
but we talk on forever" should be in,
scribed on a bnnner and presented to
the members of the chamber of COM
merce as a mark of appreciation Of
their sincere efforts to keep the air in
perpe ual motion. Last summer the
chamber assembled to hear the
report of Col. Bend as to
the examination just completed
of the city comptroilAr's books, showing
the state of the city finances. The
reading of the report by Col. Bend occu-
pied long time, and at its conclusion
he stated that the report he had pre-
pared differed very little from the one
prepared by Comptroller Roche. Hav-
ing heard the report, the members of
the chamber proceeded to air their elo
quence as to the extravaganza of the
city government and the best means of
putting a stop to it.
Al the previous meeting of the cham
Der special committee, consisting of
City Attorney Holman, Judge Green
leaf Clark and Senator Dean, was APP
pointed to make report as to the best
means of handling the indebtedness of
the city. The committee brought III a
resolution suggesting that no bonds be
issued, but that certificates Of indebted
ness be issued for four years, S3515, 900 to
cover local improvements, and S225.000
for the board of education for Indebted
ness incurred for buildings. They also
recommended that the expenses of the
city be kept within the limits of the tax
levy.
Judge Clark said that there were two
important points to decide, one whether
it WAS wise to run the city on credit
from year: to year, or have the cash in
hand at the commencement of the year.
The bonded debt Of the city was as
large as it ought to be, and money must.
be raised by taxation in the next four
years TO put the city OH sound fiuan-
cial basis. A tax of two and half
mills per dollar for the next four years
would raise s1,0G0.000, and, with the
hope of a general economy in
the running of the city, should
lessen materially it's indebtedness.
Gen. Sanborn followed with very
elaborate explanation of his amended
charter, copies of which were lying
around the room. lie also objected to
running the city on credit and have to
depend upon the money markets for
money to pay the servants of the city.
Fred Driseoll GRATED against the ex-
trayaganee of the city government, and
suggested cutting expenses right and
left. f.. ~
At this point permission was granted
a MI. Miller to furnish the chamber
with some figures as to the cost of run
ming the city of Milwaukee. He had
not proceeded very far when he abused
the courtesieS extended him byleveling
a most scurriIous attack on City Attor-
ney. Holman for the manner he man
aged his Office. President Noyes
promptly put stop to the affair, and
Miller retired. -
Attorney Holman explained the ami
mus Of the attack by stating that Miller
was a candidate in the last spring cleo
ton fol city treasurer against Mr..
Refs. whom be PHofman) had strongly
but was refused a hearing.
Mr.. Lindeke made strong speech
against city extravaganza, suggesting,
among many other things, ''if your
street sweeping costs $4,000 and you
only have $4,000 to do it with, why, you
must do it for S15,o0O," and so on
through all the city departments the
gentleman went. Before steps were
taken to cover the Indebtedness he
wanted some steps taken to stop the ex-
penditure OF the city.
{ Capt. Peter Berkey and Maj. Espy
followed in similar strain. until Fred
Driscell took the floor. He had rem
edy for the evil. by moving as a substi-
tute to the resolution Of the special
committee that the Ramsey county del
remedial legislation.' ''Then," ex-
claimed Driscoll. with alook of triumph,
I'VE can take steps to cover the indebt-
ednesS of the city," Gen. An
drews asked for some information
as to what remedial legislation"
meant. This was explained by Mr..
Drlseoll as meaning legislation to rem
edy the present state of city affairs.
This explanation was worthy of Diog-
enes, and brought down the house.
The substitute of Mr.. Driscoll was
put to vote and carried, the previous
resolution being withdrawn.
, Maj. Espy sent up resolution that
committee of five be appointed TO help
the Ramsey county delegation to draft
! a new charter.
Hon. w. P. Murray had been waiting
patiently for his opportunity. and here
but soul-stirring speech, in which he
ridiculed the amount of talk INDUCED
in, while nothing was done. AS for
city charters, the one now in force was
as good as any. He characterized as
cowardly the conduct of the dele
cation, who shirked their du-
ties and came to the chamber
to ask for help to draw up a charter,
and when they did draw it up, not one
of them understood line of it, As for
the question of extravaganza, he did
not believe that any head of a depart
ment was overpald. He was tired of
this business Of new charters being
brought before the chamber constantly,
and moved that the resolution lie upon
the table.
Senator Stevens was pretty mad when
he asked MIR. Murray if, when he was
city attorney, he did not insist upon
always being consulted by the delega-
ton upon any matters pertaining to the
city. and now he accused them of COM
ing to ask the advice of the people, as if
it were monstrous fault.
YES" replied Mr.. Murray, "when
you consulted ME, and [ gave you my
advice, the delegation always went and
voted to the contrary. while any wild
cat schemes they always carried through
OH their own responsibility"
This sally brought down the house,
and Senator Stevens did not look as if
he cared TO cross swords again with the
late city attorney.
Maj. Espy here withdrew his resoIu-
ton, and the matter dropped.
The chamber then adjourned until
Saturday evening, when the public is
invited to be present to hear the oratori-
cal flights of eloquence for which the
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