The Helena independent. [volume] (Helena, Mont.) 1875-1943, 1892-04-03
Mr. Kleinschmidts Administration
Spent More Money Than Did
That Of Bradford.
The City's Net Debt Has Increased
More Than Sixty Three Thous-
and Dollars.
Figures Taken Frsm the Public Record,
Showing the Mayors Promise of
Economy Was False.

1t has been tho one atand- by Of tho de-
Tenders of the present administration that
it has been an economical one; that it has
saved the city money, and that il invitsd
criticism. In all references to it's record il
has referred to that of MIR. Bradford az the
one with which to make \ comparison, at
the same tins dsnounclnR Bradford'a al
the most e1psnaive the city has over had.
II the figures show Mr.. Kleinaahmidt's has
spent more money than did Bradford's, the
taxpayers will tksn conclude that the pres-
ent mayor is not ~ good a manager OF the
city finances ~ he is OF those of private in
dlviduals and his own, or that be is unfor-
tnnate in not looking carefully after tho
work of his appointess and tho interests
committed to his care year ago. The
following tables, taken from the records,
will be read with interest by every tax
payer. Mr.. Bradford went into otfioo NAV
!, 1890. retiring April 30, 1891.
Net city debt when Bradford retired. S429. 1874 50
Net clty debt whom Bradford assumed
once ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS. 3TSS15 55
Increase during Braiford's term ..s Sc, $40 o.
By this it will bs sesn that during Mr..
Bradford's administration tho debt ia
creased a littls over $4,000. When Mr..
Bradford went in he found tho streets in
terrible condition. and largo part Of this
increase was speXt on thom, so that when
Mr.. Klsinsohmidt assumed office he found
tho streets in such excellent condition that
there WAS little necessity fer spending large
sums. During the Bradford admins
tration there was added to the property of
the CITY an addition to ths city hall, ooss-
ing $4,000: lot for the west side hose house,
costing 81, 300; the hose house itself, 800;
paid balance duo on chemical engine, 5000,
span of horses for ire department.. 1896;
land for opening Ninth avenue, S2.250;
land from HALE to strAiRhten Main street.
$4,000; balance paid on fire alarm system,
S3, 200; paid contractors for grading Brock
onridgs street, $500. Judgment against
city for inj,nries sustained previous to his
administrsfion, 3675, total of S17,75O.
Now. what j. the record Of Ar. Klein
achmidt's adm aiatration frsm ! financial
standpsint. Here are the figures:
Net debt March !, 1892 2..............$ 4a2,378 80
Net debt April %, 1891 91............. 429, 1854 80
Increase Of city debt during Klein
schmidt's administration. .......-.-$ 63.214 OF
Increase during Rradford's.. 5Q.3A9 o.
Difference in favor of Bradford. .....s 1885 90
MIR. Koinseh naidt, his newspapers and
his friends have asked tho taxpayers to
judge hiHa by the way no has administered
the oity's finances. They did not take the
trouble to go to the books and did not think
the taxpayers would. Bat the above il the
record, and if the statement of the Klein
achmidt mon ia correct, shat Bradford's
was an s1travaRaat dmiristration, what
can they say of the preEent one?
Here arc two more tables, showing the
expenditures from Nav to February, in
1S9c-9l, under Bradford. and in l89l.92
urGeF KIaina hnaiit.