The Seattle post-intelligencer. [volume] (Seattle, Wash. Terr. [Wash.]) 1888-1914, 1895-10-23
SEATTLE, WEDNESDAY, OCT. cd.
WANT MORE TAXEss

The county tax levy is now before the
people. and II is not difficult to guess what
the city levy win be. The state. county
and Echool tax for Seattle will be Col
mills. and II the city levy should be II
mills, the total viii be about 30 mills. If
the proposed plan should be adopted OF
issuing more bonds and making the tax
payers pay the interest on the old water
bonds. instead OF out OF the water re-
celpts. II il probable another mills must
be added. which will bring us up almost
20 the charter limit. and our levy Will be
IS mills. There will be one resource left.
and that Is to put on poll tax Of 81, as
allowed by the charter. Then some of the
voters who want TO issue more bonds, but
are not subject to a property tax. can be
made to bear part Of the burden.
The city charter was framed five years
ago to tit population of 10000; We
haven't the population and we haven't the
property. but we have every cent OF the
taxes. The trouble with this city for the
past five or six years is that we have been
20 busy preparing for fifty years hence
that We haven't had time 10 put ourselves
into shape 10 get something TO eat for the
present ard something to pay the debts
we already owe. The city council will sit
up nights scheming and planning how 10
save a policeman's salfry: they will hold
long sessions and have joint conventions.
and appoint committees OF both houses
and pass concurrent resolutions 20 the ef-
feet that depu,y's salary shall De re-
duced from So 10 so a month. hut when
81 comes 20 plastcring on an interest debt
OF $4,000 a month and principal debt OF
g million and a quarter Il goes whizzing
through with the fash or 4 meteor across
the startled darkness OF November
night.
While from every growing and progress
i've city goes up the cry for cheap power
and lower taxes. our aatute policy IS 30
sill of every ,nducement for manufactur-
snr capital 10 invest Ia Seattle. and 10
keep raising the taxes
Year by year our lead OF debt Is In
cressins. Slowly but surely the day is
cominS when we must begin TO provide n
sinking fund FOR several 81 our bond IS
sues Year by year our tax levy gets
higher. our property valuation decreases.
and Tho amount OF money sent out In in
torest increases. We have vowed with
each new issue OF bonds tina, this should
positively he the last. yet With undaunt-
ed assurance. Debt comes percnniauy for
ward with & chrruping eheerfullness. So
hcitlng the favor e your votes onco
more aud walks or with another wad OF
coupons.
There ts always a good excuse for II
Every time we arc asked 20 fund an old
debt. create n new enc. issue new bonds
or validate cid warrants. there IS always
a plausible reason. Pressing necessity
has Justified II in tho past, there is no
such plea for the present. II We can
condemn for water supply now. We can
certainly Go IL as wei fifteen or twenty
years hence. when public necessity shan
he its justification and public policy vii
sweep away ell obstacles On the statute
books and In the courts All public spirit
sagaesty and courage viii not die ont
with the present council We have faith
that future lawmakers. future councils
and future tribunals VII b. emlnen ~
well qualified 70 take care OF the Interests
% q future generation. As for TIRE pres
en-. Sufficient unto The cay Is the evil
thereof.