Pawtucket tribune. (Pawtucket, R.I.) 1890-189?, 1894-01-01
ADDRESS OF MAYOR TIEPKE
OF PAWTUCKET.

Gentlemen of the City Council:
Agreeable to the custom established by
precedent, II is my privilege to present TO
you, at this time, q statement OF the
financial condition OF the city, togeth her
with such recommendations In the
met hods of administration as seem pro-
gressive and for the Advancement OF the
city's welfare.
As a preface to my inaugural message,
desire to publicly express my high APP
probation of the honor conferred upon
me by the citizens OF this city In electing
me to the Office of Mayor. Standing
upon the Threshold of new year, can
only say that / sincerely trust that no Of
fetal act Of mine during the municipal
year Will bring pain or regret to single
heart; but hope that my official acts shall
tend to bring Joy, happiness and satisfac-
tion to all the people, for the promotion
and protection of whose interests pledge
my best efforts. The future OF Pawtucket
cannot be fully contemplated by the In
teilect OF man; IL can he safely asserted,
however, that the formulation OF sound
ublic policy by the City Council OF today
Will promote its greatness, strength ana
character The clouds of financial storm
have passed away, but commercial
and industrial prosperity is still denied
our people, and amid these discouraging
material conditions we participate In
these inaugural ceremonies In ooedience
10 law. The con iitioDs which surround
us, as well as the future which confronts
MS, should call for the best thought, high
est purposes, and most patriotic service
which he can bring to the discharge OF
our official duties. Let US act, then, with
honesty and courage, not as parti isans,
but as patriots in the work which Ii be-
fore us.
Finance.
In dealing with tho financial condition
OF the city, 1 realize that this vital subject
Is one of the greatest importance. Inc
people who establish government and
support its necessary agents, Will tolerate
nothing but an honest and true statement
OF the condition of their governmental
affairs.
The extraordinary conditions of the
present day require that statement OF
the inaucial condition of this city shall
be exhaustive as well as explanatory,
treating with resolute courage the true
nature of it's past fiscal policy, and its
present needs, and yet granting the fullest
credit to those public servants who have,
by their official acts, striven to maintain
the great value OF financial credit and
financial strength In the development OF
the growth and prosperity of this munich
pality.
Financial ere dit bears the same relation
to a municipal corporation as does Dutri'
tious food to hungry being; II is the
life. giving power. Impair by an unsound
fiscal policy the confidence of the fnan-
clal world In your ability TO conduct safe
ly and economically the affairs OF govern
ment, and you have crippled and practi'
cally destroyed the value OF your bor-
rowing power.
Current expenditures must be based
upon current income, and this theory fur
nishes the foundation OF the fiscal policy
M fn inan0nFafpd
city Council during the present year.
ask you to join me in an honest and fear
less endeavor to secure its adoption.
Municipal Debt
The liabilities OF the city at the close OF
the fiscal year, Nov. 80, 1898, were as fol-
lows: General account, 81 ,613, ,623 .33; credit
Si06, ,4S4 80; net debt, general account,
81 ,207 1873 "a; net water debt, 81 .260, ,5S9.96;
net sewer debt, s56S, ,624 03; city notes out
standing, 1854 ,639 SO. Recapitulation-
Total net debt November 80, 1893, s3, $780,.
s91 SO; total net debt Novem Der 80, 1892,
g. S20,824 %; increase during the fiscal
year, 1893, s570,367.61.
Sinking Funds.
The sinking funds amount to s775,0OO.
Liabilities and Assets.
am greatly indebted to Charles F.
Burnham, City Auditor, for the following
statement OF the assets and liabilities OF
the CITY; Liabilities, s4,17S,O34.l9; assets,
$3, ,495, ,41626.
Municipal Bonds.
The grave error was made in not float
ing the bonds IN 1892, but owing to rea.
sons which need not be referred to, Ii was
not attempted. Ii was an expensive mis-
take, but the taxpayers, as usual, paid for
1t.
SCISSORS be requested to make an appraisal
OF all he real estate and personal proper
ty of every name and nature owned by the
city, and that the same be transmitted to
the City Council at an early date.
city Treasurer's ONCE.
1t is my duty to advocate such reform
In the methods of administration as seem
wise and progressive. The attention OF
the City Council is invited to a recon-
mendation which l submit, to the effect
that all moneys of every name and nature
due the city be made payable to the
City Treasurer. This public officer should
receive all the moneys due the city, and
disburse all moneys in behalf OF the city.
The absurdity of the further continuance
OF the present policy OF paying moneys
due the city to any otner official thon the
City Treasurer, or at any other Office than
the City Treasurer's Office is so apparent
that no argument 1s needed at thls time
in support OF the recommendation made.
firmly believe that City Treasurer
Bates handled our financial affairs during
the recent panic with rare skill and
Judgement. To hold him responsible for
the large amount of the floating indebted
uess, and the compulsory borrowing OF
sums of money to meet the notes OF the
city, which were due and payable In the
midst OF financial panic, Is to do injus-
tice to faithful public officer.
The Schools.
recommend the passage OF resolution
by the city Council requesting the Board
OF Assessors OF taxes to make an apprsis-
nj OF all school property owned by the
city, because of my firm conviction that
the taxpayers are entitled to know the
char tSter and value OF the corporate as
sets, as we'll as the corporate liabilities. A
true financial exhibit cannot be furnished
under any other sonditions.
The School Committee is a body pro-
vided for by the statute lew OF the State,
and their powers are very clearly defined.
They are absolutely independent of the
city Council, except In one or two mat
ters.
Public schools.
The criticism which Is most frequently