Arizona weekly citizen. [volume] (Tucson, Ariz) 1880-1901, 1896-01-18
An Appeal to Congress.

II
| America:
The Mayor and Common Council OF
the city of Tucson, Territory of Arizona,
respectfully represent that the city is
without suitable water and sewer sys-
tenn. That the city has population OF
about 1000 and is increasing in popula-
ton yearly. That the actual necessi-
ties of the inhabitants of the city re-
quire proper water and sewer system
as public convenience, and sanitary
necessity.
That the bonded Indebtedness of the
city is 600, with no floating indebt-
edness whatever. That the bonded in-
d ebtedness has been incurred since the
organization of the city in 1873, in grad
ing the streets, IN building a city hall
for the accommodation of the various
city officials. city Jail, fire engine house,
and the purchase of the necessary fire
apparatus. That the revenues of the
city at present are considerable above
the annual expenditures. That within
the last year the expenditures in grad
ing the streets and building bridges
within the city limits have been about
$1,000. That there are no further ex-
penditures required in the near future
for public buildings. fire apparatus,
street grading and like expense, and
therefore, the excess of receipts over ca
penditures could with great advantage
to the city be diverted, so far as it would
go, towards the expense OF the necessary
city water and sewer system, il the city
could under the present law raise the
money to construct a water and sewer
system.
Under the act OF congress, commonly
known as the Harrison act, relating to
territories, the power of the city of Tue
son, to increase it's Indebtedness, and to
levy taxes to pay the interest thereon, is
limited, therefore the mayor and CON-
mon council cannot issue the bonds of
the CITY, >gith which to provide the mon
ey to construct the required water and
sewer system.
Under these circumstances the mayor
and city council of the city of Tucson,
respectfully ask congress to enact into
law the &C ,ompsnying bill authorizing
the mayor and common council of the
city of Tucson to issue bonds Of the
city not to exceed 100000, at rate of
interest not to exceed i've per cent per
annum, to raise funds with which to
construct the necessary water and sew
or system for the city of Tucson.
The assessed value of property within
the city limits of Tucson, is Sl,363, ,267.
The actual expense of administering the
city government, including the interest
on the bonded debt for the year 1894
was 5l5,500. The income derived from
taxes, licenses, and other sources of rev.
enue, during the same period was S21,-
go, leaving a surplus of So, 170. This
surplus was expended in grading streets,
building bridges, building oulverts and
other like improvements, DUNG the
year 1895, withiD the city. Street grad
ing and similar work having been COM
pleted for come time to come, the snr-
plus revenue could hereafter be applied
TO meet the annual interest on the pro-
posed issue of bonds to provide the nee
essary water and sewer system, without
increasing the rate OF taxes, while the
constant increase in population, and
value OF property IN the city would be
more than sufficient to provide for the
payment OF proposed bonds at their
maturity. Therefore, while the debt of
by the issue of the proposed bonds, the
taxation would not be increased, and
the construction of a water and sewer
system would be an actual asset equal to
the additional debt incurred, and at the
same time the city would have the ben
eft OF water and sewer system which
is an absolute necessity.
The foregoing memorial was unapi-
mOusly adopted at a regular meeting of
the mayor and common council of the
city Of Tucson, held December ID, 1895.
ID. BUEHMAN,
Mayor of the City of Tucson.
Attest: CHAs. T. CoNNELL.
Recorder of the City Of Tucson.
An act, to enable the City of Tucson.
in the territory of Arizona, TO issue
bonds TO construct a water and sewer
system.
Be it enacted by the senate and house
OF representatives, of the United States
OF America, in congress assembled. that
the City of Tucson in the territory of
AriZona-by its mayor and common
councils hereby enabled to issue
bonds of said city, not to exceed one
bundred thousand dollars in amount
payable within thirty years from the
date thereof, in lawful money of the
United States of America. and to bear
interest at not to exceed FIVE per cent
per annum, interest payable semi,annu-
ally, the proceeds Of the sale of said
bonds, which shall not be sold at less
than par, to be used exclusively in the
construction OF water and sewer
system for the said City of Tucson.
That before SAID bonds are sold, at least
thirty days notice shall be given. bv
publication in one or more newspapsrs
OF general circulation, asking for bids