The Seattle post-intelligencer. [volume] (Seattle, Wash. Terr. [Wash.]) 1888-1914, 1895-11-21
SEATTLE, THURSDAY, NOV. Ell.


The city tax levy was made last night
and now the taxpayer can figure out just
how much money ne must raise for next
years taxes While he is thus engaged.
the man who pays no taxes-and no rent
II he can help it-may continue uninteT-
ruptedly 10 stand on the curb and show
how city ought to be run. and demon
strate by MS own experience how little II
matters whether taxes are high or low.
Tho following prineely sums must lie
raised In tbs county next year:
County and state.................s 559. Ess %
School district No. i............. 90. 90 %
0lty 6SI. 40 IS
Total ..........................si o.9is q
1t should be explained that the county
and state taxes are not all borne by the
city. The valuation IN Seattle is 81. OCT. SIS;
valuations outside the city amount 10
70 $i2.o503s5. and the c,ty's proper
ton Is. or course. in that ratio II Is. for
ali practical purposes. ~ per cent, so
that the city's proportion is almost ex-
setiy S$02.6ls. making the total amount Of
taxes 10 be paid by the city $l,eO4I5S. II
the population is g. 900 and the usual pro-
portion OF hve 10 a family he applied.
which also excludes transients and those
exempt from property tax. the burden is
spread over only l20uo, making the aver
age per capita 500 year
Heavy - the city tax is. however. Il
mus. be admitted that the cost 81 running
the current business ~ very far from being
unsatisfactory. The reductions made by
the Republican administration are extra
ordinary. and the contrast between the
cost OF two years ago and FOR the present
and estimates for next year makes A high
iy ereditable showing.
What most interests taxpayers lust now
IS the proportion paid out FOR interest. OF
she total levy OF I2-5 mills. only s.76s Is
fer current expenses. leaving s.s35 for the
payment On debts already incurred. Il Will
hs noticed thst the sum OF Sll0oo0 for va
ter rents Is set down as part Of the city's
revenue. when - per cert. g that Is ser
aside 70 ray the contractor under the pro
posed new deb. the clty's revenue VII De
decreased by ts1.5oo. TO make Up the de-
fclency An additional levy - - Viii be
needed. even Il every dollar Of taxes were
paid in. Ia all probability. the population
VIII increase iu two YEARS, bat 20 orset
that more police. nremcn. electric lights.
sewers and water pipes must BE provided.
Evsa now many parts az me city are de-
fc.ont ia those respects. ana z the city
could afford g, We ouEh, to have better
patrol OK Tire outlying districts, enc - not
tao more tire stations. with additional
equipment and electric lights These VII
more than cover the added revenue By in-
creased population. The city should also.
as soon as PosSiole appropriate sleo. 30 70
hcqulre ssA,a rights and land as VIII lnSars
tie ely control e.: tbs Cedar river wA,e-
supply.
IL is stated above that a levy % - would
be needed. Il must ee remembered. how
ever. that II The revenues 81 the water de-
partmeut are appropriated 70 nav Tor the
extension. The holders ~ water bonds
tconstRuuns the present u.aao0o deb0
VIII have ths right - call f,r the levy %
Sc mills. because tates are never falfy
paid up, ara margin must he LEFT % in-
sure payment q the interest. Those bond
holders are as FUZZY en,iilcd - thar levy
SIS the holders Of tie constitution Co. sirr
warrants VIII be 70 the 3 Ter cent CT the
revenue Of ihe water department..