San Antonio daily light. [volume] (San Antonio, Tex.) 1886-1907, 1892-04-12
kNTI-BONDS.
AROUsING MEETING HELD.
Splendid Speeches by Col. wright,
Messrs. Routiedge and Carsner.

drew out crowd of over 400 taxpayers of
the city.
A brass band furnished the music and
the speakers were Col. w. B. Wright, Mr..
Routledge, c. f. Carsner and Joseph
Ryan.
Mr.. RYAN was chosen chairman and c.
M. Kingsley, secretary.
Mr.. RYAN sald the city was about to
have an election to determine II the tax
PAYERS would vote for the issuance or
$4,000. 6 per cent. 80 year bonds to pay
off the Indebtedness Of the city: Instead
of borrowing from the bank, as heretofore
for actual expenses, they propose to issue
bonds for the lump, S250,OOO. If the city
would chop off great many surplus
salaried offices, the debt might be easily
paid.
Col. W. B. Wright was called upon and
made stirring eXtemporaneous speech.
Taxation, from all time had been serious
subject. IL was never so more than at
present Improperly levied it tyranny.
Properly it is was a blessing, a protection
The people should not be taxed more than
necessary for the economical administra-
ton of aigovernment.I have always voted
for bonds for public improvements, but it
is different when the money is taken from
the people and squandered and there is
nothing to show for it. What becomes of
the SB5O,OOO taken from us every year?
We have no explanation. What is their
reason for getting this additional S250,0O0?
They say they owe Breckenridge over
S3OO,OC0. Where did this sum go? Is there
any account of it? Callaghan and the
council are simply our agents. Do you
propose to submit to it, If the bonds are
voted, Breckenridge will sell them and
the city will borrow as before and in two
years more we will be as bad off, nay,
worse than ever. The county has put
your assessments at S27, 100000, while the
city has raised them to s31,O0O,0C0
There's the diff erence. Can anyone be
elected here unless he has the support of
the king? Are you slaves? You have a
duty to perform to your wives and chill
dren. Vote against the bonds and say
you will not feed the Catalina of this city
and see that Rome is free once more.
Col. Wright was warmly applauded
for his ringing speech and then MIR. SolmS
moved that the secretary read from the
DAILY LIGHT of Monday, the communi-
tion of George c. Altgelt. Reading was
deferred until after Mr.. John Routledge's
speech. That gentleman was called.upOn
and said he had always earned his bread
by the sweat of his brow. He had resided
in San Antonio for nine years and San
Antonio has done well by me and | will
do my utmost TO glorify the city. | will
stay here and my family will stay here
until the cemetery receives our bones.
When the bond proposition was first put
before the citizens he was in favor of it.
Now he changed his mind. We are a
mixed people, rich and poorS and should
be careful not to tax the poor too heavily.
l believe it is mistake to vote for these
bonds. 1t is not a question of politics,
democracy or repu6licanism. 1t is queS-
ton of the city's veal. Let us not be led
away by any such schemes. Let US
see that the taxes meet the eX-
penseS of the city. IL they do not let US
see that the expenses do not exceed the
taxes. It's business proposition which
any business man knows well. | have
not word to say against any of the city
government. l honor the mayor and the
councilmen, but the best government will
fall into this state of things IL not so cor
rected. Careless administration should
be guarded against. The argument that
Dallas is doing well under heavy bonded
debt is advanced. Is she challenge the
assertion. No man, no city, no nation or
government can do we'll under a heavy
debt which they cannot meet. Russia
Germany, and others. have tried it, and
look at their heavily taxed, starving
people! The example is to get out of debt
and keep out, and San Antonio should set
VIC VIII uO UtIItT we take care.
Let US not have any feeling against the
city government. They are simply mis-
taken in their position. Look at the tax
lists. They are dreadful, but will be
worse. The speaker ended with another
appeal for conservatism and was followed
by Mr.. c. + Carsner.
He said he had spoken a good deal on
this question lately and free horse
should not be ridden too hard. But he
had hoard nnnd nnnH th;pn,c %
night. He was a simple, plain, taxpayer,
but he didn't like TO have il laid on too
heavily. He scored the Exp ess'
editor for being ignorant on several
subjects and then proved by tie editorial
of that paper and the statement of City
Treasurer Herff that San Antonio really
did not need the bonds voted. Let free
dom and intelligence rule. Study this
bond question. The financial policy of
the city is not wise legally or economical
". But waive the legality of the bonds.
Ihe policy OF creating a debt for pay
ment OF actual expenses is not wise. He
then quoted from the financial state
mentS Of the city, and offered to get the
money for the city at the rate of interest
II they would show him how to paw off
the debt OF S25O,OOO with less than $500. OOO
interest. That is the sum the interest
would amount to.
Mr.. Carsner then mentioned several
items of expense that could be dronned
He said, Every month the city corncil
lays in a drawer 500. for the mayor To
give to tie paupers. With this our Lord
does as he pleaSes. When he is out OF
money he goes to this drawer. puts his
hand in and pulls out all he can stuff in
his pocket for small change for the needy
Does all this go to the poor? Well. I won,
attempt 10 say. AT least he does not ac
count for it all. And what goes TO tn,
paupers goes out to buy their votes fol
the Lord Mayor. Every month there i
about $40 of this pauper fund accounted
for as hack fares. | think he might GA,
his own hack bill, don't you? Ever;
month while the Lord Mayor was In Pari
Who got it? That is another thing