Daily Texarkana Democrat., 1893-04-20

'he'h 'iAS "'NA"SN P'ANNS E"'N ~
similar services in other cities
The new light contract provides fo
furnishing % lights at the rate o
$250O per annum, beginning July
1892, thereby securing reduction o
$1O2O per year for the city from wha
had been heretofore paid.
The water contract was amended
by agreement, Feb. 2S, 1898, and by
its terms we get 40 hydrants for fire
protection for $55 each, or $4,000 pei
annum, while under the former con-
tract we paid $2815 for only 81 by
drants. A deduction was agreed up,
on when this new contract was made
of $400 from the then unpaid bills OF
the water company, for failure to fur
nish sufficient water from July 1st to
October 1st, 1892.
By selling the fire team, February
4, 1898, we saved over $125 month
or $1,000 per annum.
On September 1, 1892, we reduced
the pay for police service from $l20
to 1915 per month, or $540 per annum.
By this arrangement, we have no day
policeman except the marshal, and
there Is no necessity for any other
Thus by the determination of the
present council to place the city on a
healthy financial basis, the sum of
$368S per annum, of the former ex-
pense to the city, have been cut of,
without any injury to the city.
The outstanding scrip and liabilities
of the city (after deducting the ad val
orem taxes, now in the hands of the
collector and other resources) amount
to $6375.57, and we are now in posi-
ton to gradually take up this indebt-
edness, and can eventually pay dollar
for dollar for all we owe.
From the beginning Of the present
administration for one year ending
April II, 1898, the total amount of
liabilities contracted by this council
amount to $12, 342.25, and the total
amount of revenues accruing to us
amount to $11,4S5.32. We have there
fore expended $856.94 over and above
all resources. This is explained by
the fact that we have not had the ben
eft Of the reduction Of expenses above
mentioned, except for small portion
Of the past fiscal year. If we had had
these advantages during the whole
year we would not only have lived
within our income, but could have
taken up more than $1,000 Of our IN
debtedness. This administration has
been at heavy expense keeping up
streets, and great deal of good work
has been done. Most OF the principal
streets of the city have been perma-
nently improved and put in excellent
condition, and it will not be necessary
during the remainder Of our term to
do SO much street work. Working
prisoners on the streets has been eX-
pensive, but in addition to good work
done by them, it has aided to great
extent to free our town Of vagrants.
Our street work for the year, includ-
ing lumber, hardware, and working
prisoners has cost us $2400 being
about 5000 more than the average an
nual street work heretofore done.
During the fiscal year ending
ending April II, 1894, we will be able
to reduce our indebtedness $2500, and
at the same rate the city will pay out
in full, within three years. When we
once again get upon cash basis, the
general expenses Of the city will be cut
down % per cent.
The financial report shows the me-
cessity that existed for selling the fire
team, and certainly no citizen who un-
derstands the situation has any cause
for complaint on account Of disposing
Of this unnecessary and very expen-
sive luxury. Our hose-cart, hose, and
hook and ladder truck have been
placed in good hands, and for the use
of the lower story Of the city building
Messrs. Stuart & Reid are under con-
tract to carry hose-cart, etc, with oil
possible speed and promptness, to
fires both in our city and Texarkana,
Texas.
Upon the question Of street sprink-
ling low estimate Of the cost would
be $1,000. It would cost the city
about $4 per day, while il could be
done by private subscription, paid in
currency for $3 per day or less, II
is wholly beyond the power Of the
city to sprinkle Broad street without
overwhelming II in debt, or neglect
ing more important interests. W.
have no right to levy tax for sprink
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