Washington standard. [volume] (Olympia, Wash. Territory) 1860-1921, 1896-01-17

, Council met in regular session-all
: present except Mr.. Lane-Mayor Aver
, in the chair.
g The Ways and Means committee
' submitted the following report:
, To the Honorable Mayor aud Council o,
the City Cf Olympia:
GENTLEMEN:
| ain reviewing the present condition
OF the city and its cause, we find that
few years since (about 1880 a
strong bt.producing current entered
the city, resulting in system of ex-
travagant acknowledgement an almost
total disregard of the rights of the
property owners, i'll pursuance of
which nefarious system the erroneous
Indebtedness of over $300,0OO was
loaded ON to the city, in the short pc.
Rod OF three or four years, besides be-
ing collected and consumed within
that time the largest revenues ever
received in the history of the city.
Worse yet, there is little or nothing
to show in return for this immense
outlay except the inevitable results of
financial stringency and threatening
bankruptcy. Our revenues have de-
creased very materially, owing to the
inability of the taxpayers to meet the
heavy calls made on them, and from
two-thirds to three-fourths applied to
paying interest on and liquidating to
some extent, this great monument of
debt. Consequently the most rigid
economy is absolutely necessary in
order to save the city from insolvency
and the property of the taxpayers from
cOnfiscation.
In reviewing the work of the Coun-
Gil for the year 1895. the results are as
favorable as could be expected on JAN
uary /, 1895, the city had interest
bearing warrants outstanding in the
sum of 1893 1888, with claims against
the city for work then about com.
pleted on the Fourth street bridge, fill
aud other claims, in the sum of a.
O75 26. These claims had to be set
tied by the issue of warrants on the
general fund, thereby increasing the
floating Indebtedness of the city.
The plan adopted by the Council
one year ago has been we'll carried
out, and in the judgment of your
committee. has produced satisfactory
results.
The Clerks report shows the
amount of outstanding warrants to be
Jan. LIST, 1896, $S7 ,4Sl. This shows a
reduction of $6,172 for the year, be-
sides paying off the $4,O57 claims
held over from 1895 and the sum OF
81 ,578 interest ON warrants cancelled.
Since the Clerks report was closed,
Treasurer Dobbins paid out in re-
deeming warrants $1,424 principal,
and $3.50 interest on same.
The assessment rolls for this year
amount to $2,175,O0O. The levy for
municipal purposes of 81 mills
amounts to $ll,962. We estimate
that 60 per cent. of this amount can
be relied upon, collected and paid into
the Treasury, which would give us
SLIT. Add to this from other re-
sources, "a 100, and we have $ll,277,
as . probable revenue for the current
year from the levy of 81 mills for the
general, street and sewer fund. From
the money realized from the Qbove.
we recommend that the current ex-
penses be paid and the remainder be
applied to the reduction of the war;
rant Indebtedness.
For current expenses for 1896 we
recommend as follows:
Salary Attorney. Clerk and Treasurer. 81 $50
Police Dept 81. 100, Fire Dept &IlO0.. 400
Street COmmr $780, Repairs 81 no.. ..... l,6SO
Water and hydrant service, $l,l0O; inciden-
| tas tIoO ...............-.. 1,16U
5000
We further recommend that delin-
quent taxes be applied to payment of
outstanding warrants, and to that end
would likewise recommend that said
warrants be received at their face
value in payment OF delinquent city
taxes. JOHN BYRNE.
]. H. MEAYs.
Report adopted.
| A communication was received from
the Mayor and Council. of the City OF
Tumwster, expressing their obliga-
tons to the Fire Department Of Olym-
pia for response at the fire which con-
sumed Downs hall. A check for $40
accompanied the letter.
A delegation of ladies OF the w. C.
7. U. addressed the Council asking
that the laws and ordinances in rela-
ton to gambling. saloons being open
on Sunday, and children appearing on
the streets ut night. be enforced.
Applications OF P. Anderson and E.
A. Olleman for position of Street
Commissioners was placed on file, as
were those OF c.. J. Peterson for Elec-
trician and Alex Wright for Driver.
A communication from the City
Attorney expressing the opinion that
delinquent personal property taxes
have been collectable since Dec. 1st,
1895, and that the County Treasurer
may be compelled by the city TO pro-
coed with the collection of said taxes,
MAS read.
On motion of Mr.. Savage, the At.
torney was directed to take such &C.
ton as is necessary.
Application of John Gimblet for
license to retail spirituous liquors was
referred.
A liquor license was ordered to issue
to P. Dolan.
Reports of the Clerk, Treasurer and
Chief OF Fire Department were read
and ordered filed.
The former Of these was as follows:
OLYMPIA, Wash, Jan. Is, 1896.
To the Homo rable Mayor and CITY Council
gthe City Of Olympia:
GENTLEMEN:
herewith submit statement show
ing the financial condition of the city of
Olympia for the year ending Dec. 3lst,
1895. Respectfully submitted,
| Il. A. GRAHAM,
City Clerk.
STATEMENT ON BONDED INDEBTEDNESS
Bonds Issued July LIST, 1890. s 5000
| Oct LIST, 1891 .... .155,0OO
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