Pittsburg dispatch. [volume] (Pittsburg [Pa.]) 1880-1923, 1891-11-01
DO NOT FAVOR BONDS.
Many Allegheny Citizens Against the
Proposed Indebtedness.
A FEW ANIMATED DISCUSSIONS.
City Councils and officials Denounced at
Mass Meeting.
STARTLING COMPARATIVE FIGURES

neighbor. 1t was the occasion of the sec
ond and final meeting of Allegheny citizens
to consider the question of increased bonded
Indebtedness.
A large gathering was present and great
deal of interest was manifested in the issue,
So marked was the opposition to the ques-
tion, that all parties conceded its defeat. lt
could scarcely be considered that the
speakers discussed the question at all, al
though once in while they managed TO
get up an argument ALI the speakers
seemed to be against the city government;
Captain G.. w. Gerwig presided and stated
that e was ready to answer any questlons
that might be desired before calling upon
the speakers. He had good many to an
swer, bearing on the methods proposed to
be adopted for spending the $3.50, 600 IN case
the issue carries. The explanations ne
gave have already been published.
Decidedly Opposed to 1t.
Mr.. Albree, representing the Citizens
Reform Association, then took the noof
against the proposition and read the follow
ing, which had just been prepared Dy tne
Executive Committee of the Association TO
be circulated among the voters:
To the voters of Allegheny:
The Executive Committee of the Citizens
the bond issue.
First, because the matter has been sprung
upon the citizens but few days DeIore the
election, giving too short q time TO examine
into the so-caIied merits of the scheme.
Second-Because in the matters OF water
supply and lighting, SO much lncapaclty
has been shown, and Omitted by tnose nay nay;
ing these matters in charge, that we should
hesitate in placing more money in the same
hands, possibly to be followed by more ex-
hibitions Of like incapacity or worse.
m ;-l hn
street improvements, including the pro-
posed street in the Butchers Run district,
can be raised as fast as it should pc spent Dy
proper collection, and honest use of the
money that could be collected under the
regular assessment.
strong enough that the heads of the depart
ments that would have the spending OF the
proposed bond raised money, have fair
share of trustworthy capacity
against the bond issue, but we trust the
foregoing are enough to lead you to vote
against the scheme.
GILBERT FoLLANsBEE Secretary.
The reading of this paper and the subse-
ouent remarks of Mr.. Al.ree seemed to be
a signal for an outburst of criticisms against
the manner in which city affairs have been
managed lately. Mr.. Alfree said he agreed
with the recommendations OF the committee,
whose report he had read, and believed it
would meet with the approval of the major
ity of the best citizens. He was sorry for
the position the Light Committee had got
ten into, but he believed that if the people
could feel the money would be wisely and
economically spent they would vote for
that proposition at least.
The Money Would Net Be stolen.
Councilman Henderson said he pro-
posed to vote against the issue, not be-
cause he thought the money would be
stolen or souandered, but because he was
opposed to the proposed methods for raising
money for the necessary improvements. i
In case the proposition carries it would
cost the city $40 900 in interest and an /
additional $50, 900 for the sinking fund. It
was not proposed to spend more than |
800, 900 a wear of the s95G00O. and in this |
event, with the additional money that will |
be received from the liquor licenses next !
year, the city would have an abundance of |
money for the improvements intended by |
the promoters of the measure.
A young man, who did not seem to be |
very we'll known at first, but whose name |
was afterward learned to be Pearce, next |
took the floor. He said he had only lived |
in Allegheny three years, but that was long |
enough to inform him of the corruptness in |
Allegheny politics 'The ruling powers"
said he, care either dishonest or incom-
petent."
Chairman Gerwig cautioned the speaker
as the to character of language he used, and
got into a war of words with Commodore
COUNT, who interrupted the Chair. Mr..
and in 1898 elect honest men
whom we can trust with the money and
then give it to them"
John B. Kennedy then took the floor and
the character of the Councilmen
and city officials and favored brieiT the
proposed ISSUE Councilman E. A. Knox
said he had voted in favor of submitting
the matter to vote of the people, but was
opposed to the measure. He
was particularly opposed to putting any
more money IN the electric light plant until
they discarded the Westinghouse system
entirely.
David B. Oliver, who had occupied
front seat ali evening as an interested spec
tator, created the liveliest applause of the
evening by saying: .
1 have lived in this city and paid heavy
taxes for so years. have dealt more or less
all these Years with the City Councils, and
of dishonesty on the part Of
either officials or representatives, and I
therefore cannot forbear resenting the
of those who come here and
ylibly call our Councilmen fools and un-
thieves.
Comparative Figures Shown.
John Wilhelm, Jr., said there was in
capacity in the city government somewhere,
ind quoted the following comparative fig
Tres from the report of the controller to
how that their recklessness and extrava-
rance ran rampant.
The appropriations for salaries in 1879 were
81 233: in 1889, s5s 800; for re in 1879, $4,000;
1899. SOL 900; streets, 1879 $33 5O0 1882 $40 900,
With an additional s12. 900 for roads; police,
q s1s, - @0,12s; lsss: ssl 600; water works lSaS, |
o0o 1sss s,s gas 1sss so ss
ary purposes, 1879, $500; 1885, $500; markets,
s79, $500; 1889, $1,000 with no apparent in
;rea BE in the revenue. [Laughter.1
The figures showing the revenue received
placed the water rents as the only source
rom which any great amount of revenue ac-
'rued in recent years.
j. L. Boardman favored the issue, saying
hat it was an imputation upon the Coun-
ills to stand in the way of improvement.
Ex- Councilman Cochrane opposed the
MEASURE, laying particular stress on on the
vater improvement bonds. Since 1884 there
lad been over $50, 900 feet of water pipes
aid and he could not see that it was neces-
ary to extend the system more rapidly than
is now being pushed.
Commodore Kountz said he would favor
he issue of bonds for 81 ,00O, 900 for water
providing Councils would ask for
egislation and get commission appointed
D spend the money. Continuing he said:
But could name Councilmen who have
rown rich while in office. There is a lack
nd the people viii not trust them any
nrther There is not q man IN City Hall