The Providence news. (Providence [R.I.]) 1891-1906, 1895-01-22
here ARE MORE!
OIneyviIIe as the Bride OF
Providence.
The Anti-Annexation Spirit is Strong
In Today's Interview.
Mr.. s. w. Budlong and Others Ex-
press Themselves on the Question.
auK NEWS BUREAU. oLSEyvILLE,
No. .. Hartford Avenue,

auK NEWS BUREAU. oLSFyvILLE, I
No. =. Hartford Avenue,
The anti-apnexationists have the best
OF it In the latest batch of interviews
with Johnston citizens printed below and
the net balance Is now pretty strongly
against the annexation movement, al
though the best OF the argument is by no
means on that side.
TIE result of the interviews now stands
as follows:
50 favor annexation.
26 are satisfied with present conditions.
16 favor fire district.
Is are in doubt.
want to see the town divided; and
suggests an improvement district.
Total 95.
Here are the interviews:
Annexation VS.. Fire District
Stephen w. Budlong-I am asked my
yiews upon the subject and i must say
feel as IL was intruding when i attempt
10 say anything upon a subject which be-
ongs only TO the taxpayers to decide as
:on,ribute SO smalla mite to the towns
income.
In discussing let us see which will be
the best for US. Where lies the advan-
tages In a business way. First, do we
want to saddle upon us the burden OF the
debt of the city OF Providence. Let us
see. The total indebtedness of the city is
$12, ,42s, ,137, which (less water works
6,935 ,691 which is not debit
leaves net debt OF s5,492, ,446,
or 81 per cent. of the taxable property
(f167, ,264, ,200) II you include wa ter debt
~ PEI cent; then the debt OF city, includ-
Ing water, Is per capita $50 (less water),
$35. What has the city to pay this with?
Taxable property per capita OF sloS0, or
$50 to pay every one of debt. Let me say,
here, this city valuation is only about "a
Of cash valuation.
We should not include in the total in
debtedness of city the water works which
is not debt as 1t Is self supporting and
when bonds are paid in about 20 years
the increase from water rents lover $780,
000) would pay the entire debt of city in
about twenty years, with our other rev.
cEtes. What about Johnston? The in
debtedness of the town is s267 ,652.53,
exclusive OF school debt. which
Is held by the district which will swell
the amount to about 100000, which is
per cent. Of taxable property (s6,e69, ,5oo);
the per capita debt is S37. What have we
to pay this with? Assesable property per
capita of s607, or $40 to pay every dollar OF
ebt with our property assessed at nearly
fullcash value, and ifyou divide the town
taking out one and one half millions, and
add entire amount which it would cost
~ for sewerage and fire district. we could
not get along without paying a tax OF
nearly g per hundred, as in the years '93
and '94, with tax sl.50 for District Is,
we ran behind.
We see we would be benefited by an
nczation as follows: BY difference of over
so per cent. debt for assessable property
by per capita of about GO per cent. BY
difference of assessable property to pay
with OF about 80 per cent. or nearly twice
ns much property to pay every dollar of
debt with as we now have In Johnston,
thon the city has sewerage
system which Is not cxcelled by
any. And contagious diseases (scarlet
fever and diphtheria), are smaller in city
by over 50 per cent. and those in city are
confined mostly to unsewered streets or
poorly constructed plumbing. The city
health department sees that the swill Is
gathered regularly. Their fire and police
departments are seconded by none in this
country. There are other benefits which
j could enumerate had time and space.
Let us turn now to our towns dsadvan-
tages. No sewer, which we must have IL
wewifh to increase in population and
wealth, also good fire department, better
health regulations. How are we TO have
them unless by annexation? You may
say establish fire district (Which is divi-
sion OF town. before we do this
- 49,
neighboring towns and not Jump
into this to make numerous Offices for a
certain class who look only after their own
interests which would be their gain to the
great detriment of the taxpayers. Now,
under the circumstances as they confront
us, would 1t not be well for us TO ask the
city to take us into its fold instead or
thinking we may be able to dictate
terms to them, which will never, be ms we
are beholden to them in part for connec-
tion to main sewer should we build one,
and think 1t our golden opportunity, IL
they accept us, to jump aboard before we
get SO far into debt they will not take us.
am for annexation not because | do
not like the town where 1 have lived for
about twenty-five years, and spent the
pleasantest part OF my Lie, but because
we shall be gamer in more ways than
financially. The city OF Providence now
stands the third city In New England in
population. and financially 1t is second to
none, besides it is renowned the country
over for its enterprise, cleanliness, police
and schools.
Many other reasons might give were Il
not for taking SO much space in your
nper.
Says He's Not In IL.
q. Walter Davis-I don't favor annexa-
tion. II ! lived near Olneyvillo Square /
should no doubt do so.
Has Changed Ills Mind.