The record-union., 1891-04-22
POLICE SALARIES.
Citizens Who Believe it the City's
Duty to Pay Them.
Some Expressions of Opinion on the
SubJect-A Committee to See
What 1t Can Do.

The following invitation was sent out
by Mayor Comstock several days ago, to
about one hundred of the business men
of Sacramento:
DEAR SIR:-You are requested to
meet the Board of City Trustees, to-
gether with the other taxpayers, April
II, 1891, at 7:30 P. NJ, at the City
Trustees office, for the purpose of con-
sulting on matters of interest to the city.
''W. d. CoMSToCK,
president of the Board of Trustees"
The real purpose of the call was to OBJ
tain the opinions OF the citizens on the
question as to whether or not the city
should pay the salaries of the extra
policemen who served year ago.
A few citizens responded to the call. and
the Mayor opened the meeting by stating
the object He said he expected to hear
from several parties who were opposed to
the special tax levy. The money to pay
the fifteen old officers was still in the
treasury, and the levy of Il per cent.
would raise about Sl7 600, with which the
board proposed to pay the extra police
men and the attorneys whom the city en-
ployed in the case.
B. u. Steinman moved in order to open
she discussion, that the action of the
H..
lie said he was III favor OF paying the Oftl-
GERS, for it would do the city no good to
become involved in another suit. The
levy might be a tribe larger than was
necessary, but it was the general rule in
making all leVieS to call for q sum little
in excess of what was needed, in order to
meet emergencies. He thought that If
the men who had brought the suit to pre-
vent the payment Of the salaries saw that
the citizens generally were opposed to
their action they would not feel like con-
testing the matter in the courts.
August Heilbron disagreed with Mr..
Steinman. He was not opposed to pay
ing the officers, bnt he did not believe
that when the Supreme Court said the
Trustees were not obliged to pay the
claims the board should turn about and
offer to liquidate them. He did not be-
Heve it would do any good TO indorse the
boards action, for the suit would be pros
ecuted anyway. He did not want to be
understood, however, as being opposed
to paying the officers salaries. He wanted
every cent paid; but he considered that
the tax levy was far in excess Of the
amount necessary. He believed that u
cents on the 500 of assessed valuation
would put good deal more money in
the fund than was needed.
The Mayor favored the payment of the
debt. He thought that if the city did not
do so it would be q reflection upon her
and impair her credit.
Jonh We'll and w. r. Strong believed
the officers ought to be paid, They did
not like to see the city involved in litiga-
ton. and did not sanction the institution
of the suit.
Mr.. Steinman wanted to sknowIwhere
L. a. Burr was, the man who brought
the suit. He thought Mr.. Burr should
have appeared and stated his objections.
The Mayor said he had invited the gen
tleman, and could not account for his alb
sence.
Ex-senator Dray said that, as he under
stood the situation, there was Sl9, 900 lying
in the City Treasury which could not be
used until there was enough more added
tSi4,500) to pay the entire police claims
against the city. He did not believe in
having the money tied mp in this way.
He had supported the law, and was in
favor Of giving the policemen their
money. He understood that those who
Instituted the suit claimed that the cleo
ton was illegal as far as the question OF
lcvying the tax was concerned. He did
not believe that even if the action of the
political parties in printing the tickets
was irregular, it could defeat the inten-
ton of the people.
The Mayor put the motion of Mr..
Steinman to q vote and it was carried
unanimously.
The following named citizens were
appointed a committee to cndeavor to
devise some honorable means to induce
those who are interested in bringing the
present action against the city to with
draw the same: Hon. f. r. Dray, w. r.
Strong, b. L. Steinman, George Schroth,
/. B. MOhr, John We'll, II. Gribble, +.
W. Hale, Fred. Mier, c.. A. Luhrs and
Frank Miller.
The meeting then adjourned.