The Seattle post-intelligencer. [volume] (Seattle, Wash. Terr. [Wash.]) 1888-1914, 1892-02-02

The entire expenditure shows nothing like
the proportion Of population and valuation.
Yet. Tor tbs amount expended. the city now
owns = lne waier systetn which Is self-support-
iug and inciades between forty and fifty miles
OF service pipe, which will, as The city builds
mp. afford additional revenue with but 8 little
proportionats cost, the city owns the land upon
which all Its engine houses taImost permanent
vniuesi stand, with greatly increased supply
OF machinery appliances, horses, etc: its police
system hss been transformed from village con-
ssabuisry To city force; its sewer system has
been greatly extended: il has opened up tho
old. marrow. crooked streets in the business
part and laid down broad th0roughfAreS eansbla
Of Attending trslhe facilities without which
commerce In three or Eve years would DO seri-
onsly cfippsedi and it has many miles of i'm
proved streets.
The present corporate limits of Seattle en-
brace an area Of about twenty-sight square
miles. not Including the water surface: its
length north and south il 81 miles; east spa
west It's greatest width Is 65s miles. ard AZ the
parruwest place between the Sound and tbs lake
IL miles.
The city engineer reports that the strest i'm.
prcysnlsnts since his last report are as follows:
,.no , Fed
January l, 1871. to December II, 1891 81, yl36g
Total ......-..4.......+..-.... a. sss Is
Most OF this has been done by district assess
uent but the city 81 large has borne probably
80 per cent. OF the cost.
During the great period OF construction after
the IRE the number Of buildings pat u aroused
establishment eyergwhers, aud IL was the gen.
sral impression that with tha close 81 $50 the
work would be practically over. II viii there.
fore, be surprise 10 many 20 know that while
from June 50 10 December 81, 1870, there vera
1,si permits issued, In 1881 there were I5iI per
inIts issued.
From the report OF the superintendent OF
a..
Jane 80. 1890, to Dscsuabsr 81, 1870 Cosl
PERMITS Tor frames, repairs, ssc.,...... 800 50
fernits Tor BRICK buildings. .s.t....... 6>5,7uO
Total .,.-,.........,....S 2.g5s5l9
.1cnsgFg I. issf, % Docszaber 81. 1851 Cost
Permits Tor frames repairs etc.,. ISL Gs7
Permits ior hriek buildings. ............ 4t&9la
Total, ................ i.sl4sls
The property owned by tho city has also Ia
creased in bulk and value;
ISL. .........-.................. G33ia 90
.-..'s.-s....-.-s.......-- Oils 90
-,...s..--..-.-.-- t3,0i5 ca
2g6s0a9 10
19il.ols a.
When, therefore. sny murmur arises because
she city hAs gene into debt rather rapidly for 40
short period as four Years Il win he seen that
fhe total liability Is exceedingly small for such
an enormous fnersase III demand Notwith.
standing ell his the rats OF taxation has been
very low.
Seattle cannot sit still; its growing needs de-
rnaad new provitioa; its brilliant prospects
should stimulate It's people 10 the broadsst
policy 50 that when private enterprise has de-
yeioped The resources OF the rich surrounding
country and opened up railroad facilities the
great volume OF Business which will follow may
be handled with tee greatest beneat and the
prosperity IL ENSURES be shared hv ell.
advise courage no less than caution; / conn
sci that you should rot fear TO incur liability
FOR absolutely hseosssFF improvements, but only
sha; you should observe a wise economy in the
city's Teseaus.
The Ctty's Finances
Tie report ot The city comptroller shonld re-
reive your earnest attsntlen. The statement he
presents fully informs you 20 the clsys
financial condition, ana the accom- psnying sur.
gessioBs merit consideration
DO not think any man who hss devoted the
most eursory attention % city affairs wiz fail 70
concur in the Recommendation that AZ "A esrIv a