St. Paul daily globe. [volume] (Saint Paul, Minn.) 1884-1896, 1894-04-23

To the Democratic City Committee.
Globe Building, ST. Paul. Mimi.
SIrs: The undersigned. who were re-
Quested by your committee to investi-
gate the question: What, if any, re-
duction III the municipal Indebtedness
of ST. Paul has occurred since June s.
1892, rs the result of economy practiced
by the present Republican administra-
ton IN the conduct OF the city's affairs?
beg leave 10 submit the following re
port:
The Republican newspapers of this
city for ttle past ten days have teemed
with statements to the effect that since
the present municipal administration
came Into power that administration mas
reduced The city debt IN the sum Of
more tnau SS64, 600. This statement. ac-
companied by the further statement or
inference that Whatever reduction in
the cIty's debt has occurred is attribut-
able TO Republican economy III the con-
duct of public affairs. has been persist
emily repeated by Republican speakers
with such efrOntery that the less IN
formed among our citizens might well
believe them sincere and assume the
statements made 10 be- true. The
statement with reference to the re-
duction in city Indebtedness is based
upon q statement made by MIR.
McCardy, the present Republican city
comptroller. TO the chamber OF COM
merce and published in the st. Paul
Dispatch OF a pril l3. This communion
ton does not purpOrt TO contain a state
ment OF any reduction that has occurred
in the debt. Mr. McCardy knew that
statement that any reduction amount
ing TO the sum mentioned had occurred
would be grossly untrue. Yet MS state
meuT. as published, was so artfully
worded as to misiead the average reader
into the belief that the payments NEIL
toned i'll the statement mad resulted in
4 corresponding reduction of debt, and.
as we nave said. Republican papers
and speakers have persisteutly so stated,
dttrlbuting this result to the econom-
ical administration of the city'S affairs
by the present, s9-eailed. reform adj
Ininistrauon-
What are the facts?
!. To begin with. since June 6. 1892.
the day upon which the city government
was turned over to the present Repub-
Hcan administration. 4 net reduction in
the city's debt has occurred to the eX-
tent Of S153, G9O.30 only. Here are the
figures:
June 8, 1892. the aggregate
city debt Including judg-
mentsl ST. POI, sol 50
April 10, 1894. it was dixie
wise including Judg-
ueuiS). ...... I'll, 04S. POI %
These figures, ike all those we shall
give upon this subject, nave been taken
from the records OF the city comptroil-
er's Office.
SO The Republicans are lying in re-
spect OF this matter to the extent OF Just
SIlO.641.92-a good round lie and worthy
OF It's pareu5age.
NJ hat the Republican administration
has done IS II substance this: 1t has
taken money already in the treasury
lwhence it was derived we snail show
later on and with it has paid maturing
bonds and certificates of indebtedness.
and then. to supply the money necessary
to meet The ordinary charges upon the
city treasury, including current inter
est, has issued TAX levy certificates lin
effect short time notes of the citv).
thereby running the city into debt
again. IN some instances tax levy
certificates these amount in
the aggregate to 1912. OOU) have
been issued for the express purpose OF
obtaining money TO take up maturing
certificates OF Indebtedness. Indeed
wien Mr. McCardy said. rs he did. thai
the present administration had paid OF
S626. 500. 81 Of certificates. he included
ST.. COO Of certificates which, in prac
ticaI cfecT. had been directly renewed
IN the form OF tax levy certificates Ii
ther words. the present administration
has been doing the same thing that al
ordinary individual does when. having
grocery bills on one hand and note
due at the bank Oh the other, he takes
the cash i'll his poker, with 1t paws hi.
note. and then turns around and Dor
rows money al another bank with whicl
he pays his grocery bill. a comparison
of the amounts OF certificates of in
debtedness and tax levy certificate,
outstanding June 6. 1892, with thos,
! ~