New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1891-07-27
ELMTRA WITHOUT FUNDS.
DEADLOCK IN THE CITY COUNCIL.
BANKS REFUSING TO CASH ORDERS ANY LONGER

THE DEMOCRATS CONDEMNED.
Elmlra. July 90 speciaD-This city. the home Of
David b. HILL is now In what might tr1thfully be
called state Of bankruptcy. The city treasury is
empty and the banks have reshed to cash the orders
issued by the Mayor and his clerks to pay the runhn
expenses Of the city, The result Is that people are
dissatisfied with the manner IN which the business
affairs Of the place being conducted and the CITY
employees are wondering what they will do to get
money TO pay the living expenses OF themselves ana
families.
This trouble is owing to a deadlock in the Council
over the question Of making extra assessment on
the city for money to carry the government through
until after the regular annual tax levy can be made
The fiscal year has ended, and with the end came
lack Of funds Heretofore 1t has been the custom OF
the Council! to authorize the issue OF orders on tho
city at low rate Of Interest to tide the city over al
such times. Until within few days that has been
done and the Chemung Canal Bank has cashed these
orders until 1t had something like 100000 OF them
The bank officers cheefully would continue to cash
these orders there were any prospects that they "ou
at time another get back the money which hao
been advanced to help the city out OF its financial
difficulty. But the members Of the Council 90 noo
appear to care whether not the citys financial up
rghtness is preserved. This is due to the operations
of the six Democratic members OF the Council WHO
form the minority Of the board and to one Repuocan'
who seems to have been won over to the Democratic
the Council want to levy tax to raise the necessary
funds but they are powerless to do anything There
the matter rests.
II is not the fault of the seven Republican members
of The Council that the city is without funds for they
have done all within their power to get the Council TO
raise money to pay the remcn police school teachers
janitors and other employees for their services. or
course. the MAYOR and the Council can continue to
issue orders for the amounts due to the various city
employees but when the banks will not take them and
men to get their pay must 60 around town ana sell
them for anything that they get it does not place
Emira in an enviable light
The politicians who are trying 10 run the town dd
not realize until last Tuesday in what shape their
actions were getting the city's financial arrangements
on that day Chemung Canal Rank stopped cashing
the orders and sent out word that no more OF them
would be paid unless they bore the Endorsement OF
some responsible citizen or merchant. With such In
dorsements, the orders would OF course, be III the
nature of notes. The orders are perfectly good, for
the entire city property is liable to the amount OF all
of the citys debts On last Tuesday night tho Mayor
called meeting of the Council but Immediately after
the members got together he left the room, putting
member In the chair Soon after the Mayor had gone
the deadlock began, and 1T lasted until O'Clock In
the morning when adjournment until the following
evening was taken. Not all OF the members OF the
Council present when they met again, but those
who did brought luncheon baskets with them, and
were prepared to stay all night again. The Democrats
acted much the Democratic Senators In Albany dd
last spring during the Senate deadlock Elmira is
tho home Governor Hill, and he has absolute control
over the Democratic members Of tie Council as he
had over the Democratic members of the Senate. Ills
followers here lndulgcd in about the same sort OF
tactics did his followers in Albany and now they 90
not act as II they woud retreat from the position which
they have assumed. Unless the Republican member
who has deserted his associates be brought back
into line again. not of the city employees Will have
a dollar OF wages.
The Chemung Canal Bank Is not the only 1nstitu-
ton here that has been loaded up with the city orders
The officers of the Farmers and Mechanics Bark nave
shut down upon them, the Second National BANK WIN
cash only those orders that presented by Its regular
customers and the officers of the Emra National Bank
have reached about the same conclusion This Is all
very well those who have bank accounts or wealthy
friends but there are hundreds Of poor men who are
employed in various capacities by the city who nave
no such advantage They cannot get anything out OF
their orders until they have gone through the process
of being shaved by brokers. ,
on all sides the actions Of the Democrats In the
Council are being vigorously condemned. Merchants
and worngmen both agreed that the city Is being
injured greatly every day that this condition of affairs
is allowed TO continue