The Helena independent. [volume] (Helena, Mont.) 1875-1943, 1894-04-01
THESE ARE THE FIGURES.
The Sort OF an Administration ( W.
Bach viii Give the City
Of Helena
How Mayor Curtin Saved the City
$4,000 Over Republican
Administration.
Outside Of the FiEsd Charges 10 Took 975.
600 10 Run the CitY the Lest
Eleven Months.

Two years ago the democrats offered 10
the citizens OF Helena a business man. John
g. Curtin. As a candidate for mayor. prom
isinR in case Of his election that the sity
should have business administration. He
was elected and his fret years adminiGtTA-
tion 30 fully satisfied the people that he was
called on 10 serve them again. His second
10 m was fully as economical and business
like az the hrst. Not being able TO prevail
upon AIR. Curtin 20 allow his name to 20
before the people ones more. the democrats
decided that the coming year. even more
than any in the past required thA, a bust
ness man should be al the head Of tbs city
affairs and In their candidate. T.. w. Bach.
they have = man who not only has the time
10 devote 30 the oity's affairs, but his large
business expsrienos eminently it's him for
its duties.
That che voters of this city may know
what has been done daring M. Curttn's
Naturalization. The INDEPENDENT fur
nishes few facts and figures. NJ. Curtin
succeeded In eating down the price Of
electric lights from Si8 per month TO SIS
very soon after he went into Office. The
salaries Of the city officials had been fixed
before NJ. Curtin went into Office aud
could not be disturbed during their term OF
ONCE. but he at once cut down the police
force from sixteen men 20 twelve, a saving
Of 800 per month. The police clerk. az a
salary of 500 a month. he dfOppBd. The
city detective was Likewise dispensed with q,
salary 800 per month; the chain gang
officer, whose salary was 800 per month,
was dispensed with; likewise the sanitary
officer, whose salary was 800 per mon N;
also the inspector Of milk and food. whose
SALARY was $75. The building inspector,
whose salary was $50 per month. was re-
duosd TO $50. and finally dispensed with.
As soon as IL could be legally done Mr..
Curtin recommended a reduction OF sala-
rles and the following reductions we're
made: The marshal. whose salary was
e., 800, was reduced 20 1000; the city en-
Qineer. whose salary was s.. 900. was reduced
to 81, 50O ana the list OF volunteer hremen.
numbering twenty whine, was retucsl to
twenty, a saving Of $l,O5O per AMMAN. Al
she end of Mr.. Curtin's second term. not
withstanding the heavy cut Ia salaries that
had already been made, the matter was
taken up again and the police magistrate
was reduced { ON $1,000 10 $l2)O. tue city
attorney was reducel from 81. 90 TO $1,000.
the city marshal was reduosd from g. 900
10 81, 800. the assistant 20 the city engineer.
whose salary was 81, 200, was dispensed
with, the jaileT was reduced from $1,000 10
500, the chairman Of the committee on
auditing was reduced from 5000 TO $500,
and the building inspector WAS dispened
with. The mayor a. the end of his hrst
term recommended the reduction Of bis
own salary but 10 was not made.
The total expenditure OF the
city for eleven months Of the
present fiscal year are $500, Cos %.
OF this emOunt the sun OF SIS, III. % was
paid for water. elect 10 lights and on the
garbage contracts; S35 was paid for
property for opening up streets contracted
for by previous administrati and about
$1,000 was paid out as commissions on IL
censes, refund on taxes and as damages
anu other matters which are no part of the
regular expenses of the city, thus leaving
about S75 600 as the amount expended in
addition to the contracts for water lights
aud garbage. or this amount over Sl9 900
was extended on the streets. much larger
sum than was necessary, but when the pay
rolls SHOW that Il was divided between l.02l
men, the people will agree that IL was
money we'll expended. when 30 many were
Lelped. The total expenses for the past
twelve months will fall below $l32, 600
The last year Of republican rule cost the
city SlS3, $685.. Tne p4st year shows n
saving OF over 5000 IN the police depart
ment alone. A. compared with the last year
Of republican ule, and the entire expenses
Of the city are less by $4,000 than they
were under the last republican adminlstra-
tiou. While she democratic administration
has reduced the expenses Of the city nearly
one-ihird. Il has not asked the lGboring
man 20 work for one cent less than he re-
ceivtd IN the most pros. erous times.
Hive for Ga cents.