San Antonio daily light. [volume] (San Antonio, Tex.) 1886-1907, 1892-01-20
SNAP SHOTS.
BY THE KODAK.

condition OF the city finances, maze
by Mayor Callsghan, some days ago,
should not excite more comment and
public discussion.
The Kodak last week gave it's
Views upon this subject, which views
the official Court Journal" adopted
as an editorial. A few short COM
ments approved in other papers,
and then general apathy. Nobody
seems to know or care anything par
ticularIy about the city's affairs; ex-
cent that the people are practically
unanimous in saying: "NO more feed
for CalIaghan aud his crowd; they
have had too much already"
It Is believed, however, that if May
or Callaghan would, even at this late
day, furnish the people with plain,
Ineligible statement OF the condi-
ton of the city's financ es for the past
three years, and their present cOndi-
ton, the lost confidence of the people
might be restored, and they would
probably come to his assistance in the
present crisis.
Without such a showing from our
mayor aud city officials it is sheer
nonsense to talk about asking the
people to vote for more b( nds or to
grant any additional powers to the
present city government.
What the people want is an exact
statement of city affairs. The amount
of bonds issued, the amount due the
bank and full report of the mayors
junketing trip to Chicago, and not a
rough estimate of their Indebtedness
as given by the mayor, when he says:
1--WE now owe the San Antonio Ma
tional between $3.50 900 and $500 000."
In other words. the mayor gives the
people the condition of city finances
somewhere near the truth, but don't
deem it necessary to come nearer than
$50, 600 of it.
Just such careless, reckless and in
def ate statements as these coming
from Mayor Callaghan, will cause the
people to condemn his bond scheme,
In advance of its actual proposal by
the city council.
Why not take the trouble Mr..
Mayor, to for once, lay aside your
kingly in difference and dignity, and
give your clamorOus subjects full in
formation about city finances. Give
it to them in good PLAIN English
bookkeeping style, NOT French, nor
yet Spanish.
Why not state the facts instead of
giving theories. Tell the people plain
ly, that Mr.. Brack enridge is 100 smart
to loan, the city any more money on
worthless nOtes-don't tell them as
you did, that In a short time no bank
will be willing or able to advance the
money needed for increased expendi-
tures;" but say mo bank will now
lend the money! You ought to re-
member that President Lincoln once
said: "You can't fool all of the people
all the time"
Had Mr. Breckenridge continued to
loan you the money, you certainly
would have been eDjoined from fur
Their borrowing il, 80 he has
saved you a law suit by
fatty refusing to loan you
any more money op these notes; but
your bond proposition is more sen
sible. OF course the city charter is q
little doubtful on the question of their
legality, but what does the charter
amount to anyhow.
How would this do as an official
statement from you to the people,
Esteemed individuals: The city hall
cost you $50 900 more than you folks
authorized me to use. BY doing
away with the best volunteer fire de-
partment IN the state have added
some $50, 900 more per year to your in.
debtedness. By creating many IN
necessary offices 30 make places for
my political pets, have added hesvi.
ly to your burdens-yea I have even
tackled telephone on to one of my
officers for pelone. L have been
mayor for seven years and
have just discovered that it
is bad for the city to borrow money
from bank at s per cent, when it
has large sums on deposit there. 1
have also discovered in this, the last
year OF my reign, that running the
city into debt Is all wrong, and 1 want
to start new "pay-as-you CO." drop
a-nickel-in. the-slot system. 1 have
got your old town into bad box, but
Pm sorry for it." This, surely, ought
to make the people vote the bonds.
No use to dodge the issue Mr.. May
or! The people don't want any mere
second hand interviews from you
they want to Interview you directly,
and want vOu fn falE fn thap,