Grand Rapids herald. [volume] (Grand Rapids, Mich.) 1892-1959, 1893-05-02

bS0o0oe COo0otoooo ana Future tO1bcy
Are Ably Ouslinea
To the Hooogabls Common Council Of
the City u Grand Ranids:
GKSTLxnES--At the beginning q my
ssc,nd term q once - mayor il u not
yet too late 70 express my sincere thanks
10 the members Of tho last council for
their cordial CD operation and support in
the trannetiou a public business during
the year Just ended. nor 10 il too soon
for me 10 say that ! hope to enjoy =
similar measure u confidence Tor the
year % come. - well on the part Of
those Who have been member Of
thu evening take seats for
the 6rvt time Ut our municipal board.
Tho past year has. In many respects.
been m unevental one. No extravagant
&C uncertain ventures have been en-
tered upon; but We have coutented our
seivcs tor tho most part in trying to pay
Wat indebtedness had already beeu in
CURED. IN catch up-so 70 speak and
10 live within the authorized income,
which sm confident can eventually be
done by proper vigilance on the part Of
those intrustsd With tho public bust
nsA
The Finances.
The annual report made by our city
treasurer indicatee q financial condi-
ton somewhat moro favorable than that
which was disclosed ono year ago. 1t
which time several important funds OK.
hibited balances on the wrong side Of
the account In consequence Of these
adverse conditions 10 Wa found neces-
cary early in the year 70 resort to tho
expedient Of temporary transfers from
other fund.- for the relief Of 0vertirawn
accounts In anticipation al revenue
thereafter 10 b derived from the pro-
ceeds Il annual taxation, an expedient
which it ought not 10 b necessary to re-
sort to 1t al. and IL at oil. only in ex-
trems cases. for il u liable tn deceive us
into the belief that the fund has abund.
ance, when In fact il 10 bankrupt. The
amounts in this manner temporarily
transferred have been from time to
time restored a. speedily "a the condi-
ton Of the indebted funds would ad-
init; but the process Of restitution re-
mains incomplete. and upon this coun.
Gil dcvolyes the duty to accomplish its
final completion. The inability 10 effect
full restitution Of these transferred
sums within the same year. during
which the necessity for making the
transfcrs became imperative. was due
mainly TO unavoidable appropriations
for other purposes, and especially To
the large amount Of t29,3}5.24. which il
was found necessary to devote 10 the
payment Of a matured contract on and
about the police headquarters building.
and the similar amounts Of t2,O7l 50 and
e5l6.D 20 the Madison avenue and
sixth ward engine house funds. These
items from last years budget are So
lscted aud noticed for the reason that
they were special expenditures, not Of
the class 10 demand further appropria-
tions during the coming year. and the
fact that these liabilities are this year So
happily conspicuous by their absence
viii set free . corresponding amount Of
revenue FOR current or other expenses.
and the further fact that We have dur
ing the past year strictly observed the
charter provisions 40 % the incapacity
al one council 90 bind its successors by
contract beyond ito taxing power. shields
us from the unwelcome apparition IT
obligations wearing the garb II financial
mphsnage and demanding allowance at
the hands oe the SUCCESSORS OF those
through whose agency they were first
brought into being and left uncared for
Ia shift for themselves.
Ecowomy Mast He Exercised.
IL should b our aim here at the out
ut % strike tiscal gait at which in.
come can keep step With oufko all the
way from start 10 finish. In order IN
do this. there must be exercised at all
times . visc and intelligent economy.
We have about reached the full limit of
taxation allowed by the charter. and the
increase In necessary expenditures
causcd by the growth % the city from
year % year. will fully keep pace with
the Increase in TAXABLE property. ~ that
nothing short II an actual curfailmcnf
IL expenditure will restore the finances
IL the city TO their normal condition.
While unable In Indicate any one de-
partment or direction in which the nee
ssrasry reduction can he effected. I am.
nevertheIcssl confident that proper de-
gree % diligence and vigilance in the
transaction % business on the part -
this council at all times. even in small
matters. can and will secure such a
iiminution u the outgo IA to demon
ssrats the suficiency 10 the income for
all legitimate purposes. As Careless
l-vislsticn OF other Rad work on the
part % the council inevitably results In
q drain OF the treasury. IL follows that
90 permanent relief can come 90 the tar.
payers unless the utuo~t care IL exer.
cised IN the inauguration - measures
that have their origin in the council.
No unnecessary drain on any - the ci,y's
funds should be allowed to go IN