The Wichita daily eagle. [volume] (Wichita, Kan.) 1890-1906, 1895-03-10

YOU VIII nave no ullI1cGltN III con
Guiding that the rate must be higher in
1894 than any other year, when the OBJ
legations of the city TO be taken care Of
are practically the same as other years
and could not be materially reduced.
because the indebtedness is fixed and
must be met.
For instance The interest on the
total bonded Indebtedness OF the city
and bonds maturing is about S04 600 per
year. This amount is fiZed and must be
paid. Blame if you please the mixed non
partisan administration OF former
wears. the only kind that can possibly
save the tax payers. Again, contracts
made by former administrations for
lights and water $4,000 per year cant well
be changeduntil expiration of contracts.
1t is true, we played the baby act AMI
succeeded in reducing the light bill for
1895 about $500 and are now being CEN
sured by some because electric lights
don't burn all night You will observe
this makes total fixed charge to be
met of 81. 600 Our levy for 1894 was
$50 900, leaving a balance of S56,OOO 10
run the city one year.
''Our fire department costs us about
SIS 600 This is considered high Ivy the
present administration, and VIII be re-
duced some the coming year, resolu-
ton having already been passed cut
ting out Thirteenth street fire house.
Yet every effort we make towards
reducing it meets with strong obJec-
tons from Insurance companies, and
citizens object, If il increases the rate
of insurance. In my judgment the
money for fire protection is most judi
ciously expended. 1t is true the most
of us are protecting the owner OF The
martgage against our property, bat so
long as we feel we have an equity LETT
in said property We want the insurance
rate reasonable.
I'VE are paying for the support OF
hospitals and charitable institutions
$500 per month, or s., 900. For salaries
of city officers $500 per month. or $500.
Leaving a balance Of total levy for
streets. sidewalks and miscellaneous
items of S26. coo Scarcely a council
meeting passes without from one 10
half a dozen claims being presented
against the city for damages incurred
hy. as petitioner states, falling on de
fective sidewalks. Some of these are
devoid of any merit, others have to re-
ceive attention and are either vigorous
ly contested in the courts or eomprc-
missed. But at best it is a constant bin /
Of expense Yet I'VE times the number |
of me nnow employed III that de- /
rartment and FIVE times the amount OF /!
lumber used could not repair the Walks 1
that have been allowed TO run down by l
former administrations and owners of /
The bridges, last year, had 70 /
be refioored at cost Of about S2,SOo. !
This had to be done or close the bridges, /
and we couldn't do that As one coCn- 4
Gilman. | am READY to listen 70 lntlh- {
gent criticism and accept suggestions
from any tax payer who viii inVesu-
gate the subject thoroughly, but don I 1
ask me 10 accept the statement OF !
marty who actually felt indignant AZ \
and accused us Of being in league with
because we would not pass
an ordinance last Monday night sivinS
him a telephone franchise, before
properly investigating and scrutiniz-
inc ordinance After several amend
nents had been made by committea.
one who actually insisted that the
council should pass an ordinance reEu-
ating water rates for his benefit When
an investigation showed he was actual
" paying sl.35 per month Tor water tax
No. / haven't any patience with such
-efcrmers Il is the duty OF all u as
ole and discuss this subject ana de-
,-ise means for the betterrlent OF pres
mi financial conditions and elect SUch
men to Office as viii carry oct the