The weekly tribune. [volume] (Great Falls, Mont.) 1891-1894, 1893-10-06

1893, SlSS,37l.i5, of which sum $4,000
is bonded. bonds bearing six per cont
and S3S,3Il45 in outstanding war; 4 I
bearing seven per cent interest.
Warrants issued since May J., 1893,
S49,Gl19G.
Only until recently the receipts and
expenditures of the city could be de-
termined accurately as the treasurers
books only showed the registered war
rants No record of unpaid warrants
was kept except as they appeared on the
stub of the warrant book or such as
we're paid and returned as vouchers from
the treasurer. TIE committee found
where warrants had been paid when
signed only by the clerk in which case
there appeared no reason why the same
could not be reissued and payment de-
manded.
There was no check or counter-checIx
on the treasurer and clerk as the former
pays all warrants presented. 1t was rec.
ommended tha: the treasurer have a
list Of what he is expected to pay. The
legality of diverting money from one
fund to another was questionable as it
might lead to discrimination against
certain warrant holders. In tue matter
Of the payment of licenses it was found
that many individuals and firms had
never paid cent, while others had reg
uarly lipuidated. 1t was estimat, d
that by reason OF his neglect or carelsss
ness of the treasurer the city was
loser severa. thousand dollars rhree
cases were found where licenses had
been collected and not entered on the
books of the city.
'fhe city funds were fouud to be dis
trlbuted among the following funds:
General fund, Sj,SjS 80; water, SJ,G7G39;
park. s:}2.j9; park purchase. $40 JOB jG;
street. SGi522; library, sS7G,12; sewer
35,34G,G5: contingent, SSS2S5; poor, $50;
police, SlSS; fire, S:S9i25. Total, 5G2.-
33402
The bond of the late city treasurer,
p. }. Elliott was found to be for $4,000
with p. j. Elliott, Will Hanks. X. b.
McIvcr, \. +. Dickerman. H. p. Rolfe,
r.. f. Brady, ID. II. Churchill, Robert
Vaughn and }. ii. Mcknight as sure
ties. In regard to the city monev in the
suspended banks it vas found that the
First National has S2l .2l3Gl and as an
offset $4,000 ia city warrants. The
Merchants National. sd Isis and Sl13-
So in warrants. The $4,000 DARK fund
has been in use by three banks without
ed the early disposition of this fund.
Available cash in the general fund
Sj,SGS.:0. outstanding against this are
SG3,510 in warrants
Assessed valuation OF lots and acres in
the city 55.52l ,03l.
Total value of improvements 81 ,2SI ,1Gl.
Total personal, Sl,1SJ,0Si
Total valuation, 5S.19O,2jS. less 81 090,-
r.,ln lntS lna, b., tnf |
valuation at S1.J0OOOO. The cost of run
ming the city government to January |,
1894, $4,000.
The police department was found to
he in excellent shape the books we're
checked and found correct. The city
marshal was complimented on. For the
month Of August the prisoners board
was 5lG32J AMI the police payroll 2SGi.-
30. Ninety days work by the prisoners
at - per day amounted to $4,000. fines
collected in the police court @;il3 80
making total Of $3.50.
AS further evidence Of the DEPARTMENTS s
efficiency it was shown that in July
twenty eight va@rants were arrested, in
August thirteen and in September only
twelve. The council as recommended
to pass an ordina' ce i'm posing a fine
upon minors fou' d in about saloons,
gambling hor ses and variety theatres.
1t was also ecomm nded that the police
magistrate g furnish a book in which
to record notes or money received The
magistrates department was found in
fret CLASS order, the books were cherH' Il
and found to tally without an error with
those of the marshal and JaIl"r.
The paid fire department was tDund IN
equally good condition. 1t consists Ut
tive men ana costs lGj per month. The
cos! of the volunteer doparirl"n, ~" the
quarter ending July II was *l99. aver
age cost per mouth s'i';,,i. From Chief
Burns il WAS ascCrtained that from May
]. 1852 to May |. lS.n tine cost Of the
total apartment was SG,,IuGo daring
whici lme fifty one alarms were rang
in. The losses paid on the damages for
that period were $41.iN}oO while the iu-
surance carrie on the property damaged
amounted to Sl3s.llGOu.
The attention Of the board Of trade
was called to the unusually large insur-
ance rate the city pays considering the
multiplied facilities provided for the
protection of property, 1t was suggested
that lower rate can only be secured by
providing extensive reservoirs for water.
The city attorney found "to b in
volved in some important lawsuits which
are highly important to the taxpayers
Whether the Central avenue paving con
tract can be annulled without involving
the city in suit for damages by the
contractor is yet to be determined.
The forfeiture and collection of the
5000 certified check given by Spokane
parties needed careful attention, while
the recovery of the 800 fee paid Hell
enG attorney was still unfulflled. 1t
was Geemed illegal for the ,ity attorney
to receive $50 q month for office rent.
He should be required to uctupy the va
cant room heretofore used hy III treas
urer.
Attention was called TO the trouble
that has arisen in several cases by the
city contractors failing To pay all out
standing bills for labor and material. 1t
was the sense of the committee that in
the future the city reserve unto itself
the exclusive right and privilege of ne
gotiating and paying for all materials
and labor furnished in performing any
given contract.