Washington standard. [volume] (Olympia, Wash. Territory) 1860-1921, 1895-01-11

year the Council exercised the most
rigid economy. but even with this the
city finds itself at the end OF the year
with much larger debt than at the
beginning of the year. We believe
there is only one way by which the
city can regain its former good credit
and give hope and confidence to its
citizens and creditors. That way is
to make the annual expenses, includ-
ing interest on bonded Indebtedness,
| less than the annual revenue of the
city. If the current expenses are
equal to our revenue, then the city's
Indebtedness is necessarily increasing
on account of accruing interest on
outstanding interest-bearing warrants.
ave believe the police and fire de.
partment cannot, with reasonable
safety, be further reduced. Next in
amount to the annual charge OF inter
est on our bonds, comes the amount
paid for street lighting. This charge
can be, and in justice to the city should
be, entirely dispensed with. The
present condition of the city is more
chargeable to the enormous amounts
paid for electric lights than to any
other one item.
ave can see no way by which the
city can meet any amount for lights
and still have reasonable hope of be-
ing able to meet necessary current ex-
penses and providing for its outstand-
ing Indebtedness. AS citizens, we
believe, . limited number OF lights
should be maintained till midnight on
Main and Fourth street. But no part
of the cost can, in our opinion, be paid
by the city.
"The next great expense to the city
is the amount annually paid for the
use of water. This, in our opinion, is
too much and should be reduced to
the requirements OF public safety
against loss by fire. From a careful
consideration Of the matter we cannot
see how any of the recommendations
hereto attached, can be omitted by the
council and still have a hope that the
city will recover with honor from its
present embarrassment.
The recommendation are as fol-
lows:
First, Under no circumstances
create any more Understanding in
debtedness.
Second. Provide for the current
expenses by using one-third OF our
revenues for current expenses, pay
cash, and create no debts that cannot
be paid from the current expense fund,
except where legal obligations have
been incurred prior to January l, 1895.
"Third. Provide for payment OF
bond interest, and the annual reduc-
ton of interest-bearing warrants by a
debt-fund into which two-thirds OF our
revenue shall pass.
| Fourth. No officer. committee,
nor member of the Council shall order
work done, material or supplies fur
nished, nor any other thing or act
which creates II charge against the
city, unless such be ordered by this
Council at a regular or special meet
ing.
Fifth. That the city no longer
maintain electric street lights and that
the electric light company be so mott
fled at once. We recommend or sug-
gest that light districts be established
with view of sustaining lights therein
during the winter, and that immediate
charge of this matter be taken by resi-
dent and business men, should they
regard it as worthy the trouble and
expense.
"Sixth. That the amount paid by
the city for water and hydrant service
be limited to $1,000 for the curren,
year.
Seventh. That the City Council
hold regular meetings once in two
weeks.
Eighth. That committee be
appointed to prepare and arrange fol
necessary legislation for the city
charter.
ninth. That this Council invite
the Board of County Commissioned
and Board of School Directors to meet
with it in joint meeting to consider
ways aud means to meet our financial
situation.
"Tenth. That the City Treasurer
be authorized to receive special as.
sessment taxes under such regulations
as the Council may deem best"
Mayor Mann suggested that the re-
port be referred TO an executive session
to avoid hasty action, but the Council
on motion adopted it by unanimous
vote.
The following bills were reported by
the Mayor for allowance, payment
having been recommended by the
Finance committee: ]. S. Dobbins
$50; II. C. Hungerlord, $500; B
Johnson, $l7.15; A. Merryman
$500: G. Veitzen, 1923: r. B. McIn
tosh. $35; ID. S. Covert, $3.l5; ]. T
Cline. $3.50; w. L. Murphy. $21.75
w. II. Penches, $20.65; +. P. Kistner
$2335; F. Krahn, $l4.35; Bilger &
; Going, $lS.35; A. johnson, $24.49
|, Olympia Door & Lumber Company
$4O.l7; H. R. Hill, SO; Bowers Dredg
ing Company, $25; ID. S. B. Henry
$3.50; Robert Frost, $19.67; Walter
Axtell, 81; L. E. McCausland, Sc. 25
A. L. Seward, $S1 20; pay roll, $548.55
The applications for appointment t.
local offices, were as follows: L. NJ
Atkins, Police Justice; w. H. Dodd
driver of Fire Department; w. E
Mitchell, Street Commissioner; Johr
, Aldrich, Patrolmen; d. Myers, Stree
! Commissioner. The applications wer'
, all filed.
A communication from N. H. Ow
ings, Freeman Brown and S. NJ. Per
cival, referred to the fact that mas
much as the city had refused to ap
propriate any money to assist in con
structing the bulkhead and filling thu
area bounded by Water, Columbia
First and Third streets, the propert.
holders interested would endeavor Il
make the improvement themselves
without expense to the city. Thu
communication says:
1--WE respectfully request that vol
donate towards this great improve
ment, such straw, brush and ole
planking as you may have on hand
the use of tools and implements be
longing to the city, and such aid a
you can lend that will not cause tn
city any expenditure of money. w
call your attention TO the fact that
successful, in carrying out this i'm
provement, nearly $500 feet of street
on the water front will be improved