Fort Worth gazette. [volume] (Fort Worth, Tex.) 1891-1898, 1896-01-22
BACK TAX
The City Must Have
What Is Due.
SUITS ARE TO BE BROUGHT M
MEDIATELY.
ITY WITTY mn NTYrn
ALL WILL Be SUED.
THE CITY COUNCIL HELD AN IN
rEREsTING AND IsIPouTANJ
SESSION LAST NIGHT.
A Resolution Passed Censuring Thos,
He Had Written.

Tho city council met last night in
regular session. Mayor Paddock pre-
siding. Alderman Spoonts, Fry and
Ward were excused for absence from
the city.
The minutes OF the last regular meet
Ing were read and approved
The city treasurer was authorized
to transfer $4,000 from the general
fund to the special fund, the same
to be used in paying the city's semi
annual interest coupons. The city sec
rotary was authorized to issue the
city's note to Zane Cetti for s995O for
insurance on the colored Third ward
school building. The purchasing COM
mlttee was authorized to sell one of
the old sprinkllng wagons for $50.
This is one that has not been used for
long time. w. I. Sorrels was awarded
the contract to repair the pest house,
his bid being Sl05 the lowest one sent
In.
a petition of citizens asking for the
opening of Nineteenth street from
Chambers avenue to the Third ward
school house was allowed. The prop
erty owners will give the right Of sway
and 1t was ascertained that the total
cost of opening same would be Sl44.
An old claim of John Ratican for
balance OF S5Ai20 for improvement
on Front street in 1891 was referred
to the finance committee, with a
statement from the mayor that IL
should be thoroughly investigated. The
city, he said, had no desire to avoid
the payment OF any Just claim against
It, no matter how old 1t might be.
1t will be remembered that at the
last meeting of the council a resolu-
ton was adopted lnstructing the city
attorney to proceed against limited
number not to exceed twelve, of de-
linquent taxpayers, and try to enforce
by law the collection of back taxes
due the city. This resolution was dis
approved by Mayor Paddock and his
veto was read at the meeting last
night. He opposed the resolution on
the ground that all should he treated
alike. He was not in favor of any dis
elimination. II one or few be sued.
all should be. Alderman Lasslter, who
championed the resolution at the pre-
vious meeting, moved that 1t be passed
over the mayors veto. Mr.. Lasslter
made strong argument in support OF
MS motion, arguing that to bring suit
against the 600 delinquent taxpnyers
of Fort Worth would involve an enor-
nous expense. The city could proceed
against few at small cost and thus
determine whether or not collection can
be enforced by law.
Alderman Essex took the floor and
said the council was afraid to act In
this matter. 1.-THE council" exclaimed
the alderman. needs some backbone,
The people demand that these taxes be
collected, and the council is not true
to Its obligations II II fails to put forth
an effort. For my part 1 will vote to
sue every man."
Mr.. Lassiter wanted Alderman Essex.
who Is a lawyer, to explain how any
court could render Joint Judgments
against these parties when there IL no
Joint liability. To sue all the delIn-
quent taxpayers OF Fort Worth would
simply be waste of time and money,
The council said Mr.. Lassiter. is
unit In desiring the collection OF these
taxes. The only question is one Of the
method to be adopted. He favored the
quickest and least expensive way.
Mayor Paddock said, There are
men In this city who have a rent roll
amounting to $1,000 month who do
not pay cent Of city taxes. The
burden OF taxation falls not upon the
rich who are most able to bear il.
but upon the small property owners.
men with small homes who are strug
CLING to maintain them. There are
enough delinquent taxes due the city to
pay the entire expense of municipal
government for year. II IL a shame
and a disgrace that such a condition
should exist"
A yea and nay vote was taken on
Alderman Lassiter's motion TO mass
the resolution over the mayors veto
veto. The motion was defeated by a
vote Of to 5, and the veto was sus-
tanned 4 resolution was then intro
duced and adopted instructing the city
attorney to bring suit against ali the
delinquent taxpayers of For. Worth.
The suits. or as many OF them as
can be gotten ready. VIII come IN AZ
the February term of the district
Aiaerman Mulkey then sent to the
ton which he had received through
the medium OF the United States mails:
Fort Worth. Texas.--Sir: II the cub
stance OF your remarks to the city