The Providence news. (Providence [R.I.]) 1891-1906, 1893-05-27
ECONOMY IN Salaries.
Ihs License Commissioners Pay Fixed
at One Hundred Dollars
THE TAX Al RATE DISCUSSION,
Interesting Session I'm the Hoard OF
Aldermen Last Night Rate OF Taxa
tion Fixed at e1.50-Minor Matters
Passed Upon.

session ast night dill with the increased
tax rate bill as the News suggested sew
eral days ago. The original bill was so
amended that when it was concurred In
the vote was precisely as it stood before
the council acted on it-ln short IL
first undid all the work OF the council.
Only six mem rers of the board wee
present, a bar quorum, ana each OF the
measures involving any serious consider
ations were carried by vote or four TO
three. -
its strength while only three OF the Big
Six were then to do anything. Each
time the vote was taken, the several
members Of the little Four" would
grin MT President Ballou
When the license commissioners salary
bill was presented the Little Four" were
'right In IL" and the few spartans or the
"Big Sixn had nothing to DO but put in
their three little votes against It
Mayor Potter called the board to order
at 1880 o'clock and stat' d In few words
that the object OF the special meeting
was to consider the IL creased tax rate and
to either concur or non-concur with the
council.
The Tax Rate Bill Discussed.
President Ballou called the bill from
the table and moved concurrence. lie said
he realized the difficulties OF Al creased
taxes on the people, but in view OF the
improvements going on, an increase In
the rate of taxation Is nee led TO meet the
expenses OF the city. lie believed thas
xl.60 was mean limit and that what
ever deficiency afterward existed was
within the power of the assessors TO
make up.
Alderman West hoped that the board
would not concur. The city auditor has
told us that SLIGO was not enough.
Either we must raise it to 81 or in
crease tie valuation sufficiently to cover
the increased expenses. The assessors
shoul provide the means OF relief.
Alderman Gilmartin wanted To be re-
corded as voting against concurrence.
He believed that the only remedy was In
the assessors power, and that was to in
crease the valuation. He moved the APP
pointment OF some joint committee con-
sisting of three members or the board
and three Of the council TO consider and
devise some plan other than that or rails
ing the tax rate.
Alderman Giimartin's movement was
ruled out of order as there was already
motion before the board.
Alderman West moved that the bin be
amended to read 81 so instead of Sl.60
and Alderman Fuller seconded the mo-
tion.
Alderman Lansing wished to be un-
derstood in the matter. We are told by
the committee that this increase practi-
cally amounts to nothing, and II
IL is true We ought to leave
petent to judg. the matter say it is
farce and why make farce Of u serious
subject Why not make it large enough
to meet the demands of the increas ex-
pense OF the city IL seems TO me that
iu is foolish to raise the rate 10 cents,
when 20 would not be more than enough.
Let us do IL right aud begin right by
having the rate as it is and not make
burIesque OF the matter.
Alderman Bllou said that those
competent and authorized to, consider
the matter had figured that An increase
of 10 cents was sufficient, and even if tn
10 not so il the increase OF 10 cents wilt
emeliorate the condition of tlings at all
why should il not DO carried through.
My sole idea in moving concurrence Is
that II we increas the rate 10 cents, that
the deficit between that amount and the
amount needed at the end of the year
can be made up by the assessors looking
mp those big property owners who now
do not pay taxes on all their property In
stead of chasing the little fellows all
over the lot.
ing Tor a rate OF $3.50 he was doing his
duty. He wished to stand between the
poor man aud tue assessors and the rich
man aud the assessors. They do not
properly assess property and do not tax
property in the centre of the city In the
same proportion as that taxed in the
other portions OF the city. Alderman
Little said that he came prepared TO vote
In favor OF this increased tax, but he
thought now that in view OF the argu-
ment he had just heard that committee
ought TO be appointed to consider the
matter as Alderman Gilmartin had sug-
gestcd. He thought the board ought TO
concur with the council.
The Tax Rate of $3.50 Adopted.
The vote was then taken on the amend
ment fixing the rate at 8. 80, the alder
men voting as follows:
Ayes-Fuller, Gilmartin, Lansing,
Noes-Ballou. Little, Oiney. The bill
was then concurred In.
Alderman Lansing moved that the
matter be laid on the table and COM
mittee be appointed to consider the sub
ject. The motion was not seconded.
Alderman West presented an ordinance
fixing he salaries OF the license COM
missioners to be appointed under the act
passed by the general assembly, at Sl00
stallments. The commissioner who is
elected secretary shall be paid. in add-
tioD to his salary as license commissioner
mt the rate OF $500 per annum. payable
monthly. This ordinance seeks TO repeat
the ordinance fixing the compensation of
q year and with 500 additional To the
secretary.
Motion to Table Lost.
Alderman Little moved that the bill be
laid on the table. Colonel Ball on
seconded the motion. but it was defeated.
Alderman Ballou thought that this
ought not to be passed. IL had not been
seriously considered and was a very radi-
cal measure. He aid not undersi and the
motive which had actuated such "a
measure, and saw no reason for Layiug
aman salary for such an Office without
consideration. He had not even seen the
act passed by the assembly.
Alderman West replied that the pres.
ent board bad already grantei 1856
licenses ont of some 400 and there wasn't
much left for the incoming toari. He
considered IL a rebuke to the politics OF
the gentleman from East Providence in
the legislature. who had interfered in the
Affairs Of tie city. He had forced upou
the city a political scheme.
All erman Ballou-I suspected that
politics had something 70 do with the
bill at fret, aud now know IT,
Aldrrnnu West-Supposs IL has. IL is
true. But IA we are reducing salaries TO
minimum there caa't be much polite .
In IL. Tor you know that there must be