Omaha daily bee., 1895-05-18

Good Government club Suggests Reforms
to Improve Municipal Finances.

Good Government club Suggests Reforms
to Improve Municipal Finances.
The Good Government club held a meet
Ing last evening in the south wing OF the
county court house for the purpose Of re-
ceiving the report Of its special committee
appointed several days ago to formulate a
reply to the criticisms of the mayor and
others and to refute the charge that the
club was engaged only in a destructive as
sault upon the cty's finances and credit
without being able to suggest any methods to
relieve the conditions it was assaling. The
committee consisted of Hon. l.. W. Ross.
Judge w. c. James and Attorney c. NJ.
Harl. The report was read Immediately
after the proceedings of the previous meet
ing were approved. 1t begins with a vigor-
Gus reply to the criticisms made upon It. and
calls attention to the fact that the organiza-
tion is composed of citizens and taxpayers
who should not be charged with attacking
the citys credit or suggesting reputation of
its obligations. Such a course was not the
purpose OF the club, but its objects were to
aid in bringing about wise business methods
whereby the city's credit could be main
tanned and the payment Of its outstanding
obligations made possible at the earliest pos
sible date. Attention Is called to the fact
that similar financial situation in many other
cities has called forth similar organizations,
having for their object the batterment of muni-
cipal government. The avowed purpose of the
present city administration to effect a radi-
cal reduction Of public expenditures rather
than an increased assessment is warmly
! commended. A sweeping denial is made of
the charge that the figures furnished by the
club have been erroneous or Intentionally
misleading but asserts that all the figures
| were taken from official sources.
Then follows seven recommended ons which
are given as the result of the Investigations
and deliberations OF the club. The first deals
with the water works problem and calls for a
legal inquiry into the validity of the com
| panys contract with the city, and recon-
| mends that the city at once abrogate the
contract and bring the proper action that its
| validity may be determined by the courts, tc
| the end that new contract may be made
that will relieve the city Of the burdensome
water rents. The exemption of the company
| from municipal taxation is pronounced
Illegal and unjustifiable.
The second calls for halt in the system
OF putting general fund warrants into judg
ments, for the payment Of which a heavy
Judgment tax must be levied tax greater
| than Is contemplated by law.
The third provides that a part of the sink
| ing fund not available for the payment O
obligation for which II is pledged for a mum
Der of years, shall be invested in the pur
chase of interest bearing obligations of tn,
city.
The fourth calls for a refundlng of tn,
outstanding general fund warrants at a lowe
rate OF interest in long time bonds.
The fifth recommends the consolidation o
the chief Of police and marshals Offices.
The sixth demands rigid economy and tn
careful investigation by the city council O
all the departments of the city governmen
and the checking of useless expenditures.
The seventh objects to the abuses tha
have grown up under the power given tlr
council to order improvements at the expens
Of abuting property, and suggests a chang
in the general law relating to street i'm
provements.
The report was adopted without dissent
Speeches were made by Ross, McCabe, Har
and others.