Fort Worth gazette. [volume] (Fort Worth, Tex.) 1891-1898, 1895-10-30
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When Mayor Paddock called the
council together at s15 o'clock last
night. the council chamber was crowd
ed TO Its utmost capacity.
The reading OF the minutes Of the
previous meeting consumed consider
able time, which suggested the remark
that II would be n saving OF valuable
time to have the minutes printed in
pamphlet form and distributed among
the members.
Mayor Paddock announced that the
most Important question to come be-
fore the council is the matter of
finances. and he had prepared u special
message to the council on that subject.
which he would have read II the coun-
ell would suspend the regular order
OF business. The request was granted.
The message Is not given in fun. ow-
ing 10 the lateness OF the hour at
which the council adjourned.
I'VE are confronted with a condition
| OF affairs" said he. (which in my
opinion justlfes me in obtruding my
opinions and suggestions upon your
honorable body. When, in April last.
by the suspension OF the City National
bank, a sum equal to one-third of the
annual revenue of the city was taken
from us. counselled you TO the exer-
else Of the most rigid economy In the
| administration OF the affairs of the
| city, to the end that It's credit might
| i.ss VaNagarNnI and ifq nhllHntlnnS dix
charged promptly.
ut was unfortunate that following
| on the heels of the great loss alluded
to, that those who had the power,
and from whose action we have no
appeal, should have stlll further Grip
pied us, and have placed insufmount-
| able obstacles In the way of our car
| ryiug on the AFFAIRS OF the city, with
| out in any way impalrlng Its efficiency.
| Hut the condition confronts us, and re-
plnlngs aand complaints would be fu-
tile and a waste of vitality ana energy,
Since your last meeting the report or
the board of equalization has been
completed and submitted to the proper
deDartnleut To say that the figures
presented are appalling but family eN-
presses the sentiment which you must
all entertain when you contemplate
the work to be done and the means for
| it's accomplishment that are placed at
your disposal. The gross result OF the
tax rolls for the current year are Sl6,-
6d8, S33 against $40, l03243 for the pre-
cedlnE year, a reduction OF S3tSI, 800.
II is apparent that the limit Of the tax
rate fixed by the charter will not pro-
luce sufficient revenue TO carry on the
bue'nesa OF the city and meet its obll-
cations, even with the present very
meager allowances. In my Judgment
the city's BUSINESS is being conducted
az economically as is consistent with
! -.
rlOusly contended that any of the Of
nclals OF the city are receiving OK
brilliant salaries, or that the employees
are being eNtrovagantly paid. For your
Information submit the salary list
Of San Antonio AZ compared with Fort
Worth. II Is true that San Antonio Is
n somewhat larger city than Fort
Worth-but 1t is not 30 much larger
as to Justify the difference In the cost
or administration.
The mayor here gave n comparative
statement OF the salaries paid by the
two cities. showing san Antonio TO be
far in excess OF Fort Worth from mayor
down. Commeniing on that COMPARE
son the mayor said;
"Thoae figures carry their own con-
illusions. The additional fact that ev-
cry official and every employe In every
one OF the nrst-elass cities In Texas
receive better pay than the same of
fetal and employees receive in Fort
Worth. iustiles our claim TO rigid
economy. IL | am correct In my con-
cluslons. that there Is no room for n
reduction in the nay rolls, and I think
you will agree. with me, then our only
reconrao lis reduction OF the forces
employed
"rhe finance committee have prepared
estimates based upon such reduction
and they will be submitted In proper
time at this meeting. These estimates
provide for reduction In the street
department. hre department, police
force and the public schoola suggest
that these reductions take effect No.
vember l."
The message was ordered filed and
the regular order was resumed.
The finance committee reported an
ordinance flxing the tax rate OF the
city
l, nxes the total tax rate at si7b on
tho 500 valuation. ana nm annual pal
tax OF 81 on each male citizen,
The rules We're suspended and tho
secretary read for the information OF
| the council the items OF curtailmcnt
In the police. FIRE and street depart
mcnts az suggested by the ordinance
The first Item Of curtailment was the
reduction OF the aldsrmena salary by
having only two meetings month In
stead 81 every TneHday night, which
called for the statement from Alavtr
Paddock that the mayors salary could
be cut In iwo 10 $50 per month II Inc
council desired. - am not mayor Tor
the salary" said he.
The item OF street sprlnkiinr was
also to be abolished by the ordinance
Professor Alex fIogg by unanlmoug
consent OF the council, addressed TN
body on the question Of the ailNwance
Tor the public schccle "a fixed by tho
tax ordinance. The professor read a
comparative statistical report OF lie
attendance al tho schools during M
service as supcrlntendent. showing a
gradual increaHe In the attendance
and snggcsting the error OF cutting
down the school fund His repart
further showed that there Is a danv
average atiendonce now OF sixty pn-
PTS TO each teacher and ne asked for
At least four more teachers.
The rules were suspended and Tho
ordinance WINS adopted hv the unani-
nous vote of the council.
4 An ordinance fixing tho salaries Of
the city officers TO bo elected ara A.