The Vermont watchman. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1883-1911, 1896-03-25
$40 TROT.

The City Councils estimates of municipal
expenses for the current year were 1853, 900.
The aggregate expenses for the past year
were S67 26o II. We believe the taxpayers
would nov indict the members of the new
council II, having administered the duties
OF their Office wisely and efficiently, the ag-
gregate expenditures for the current wear
should fall considerably below the esti-
mates. Montpelier has spent a great deal
OF money in each year of the past five or six
years in permanent improvements. These
expenditures have, in the main, been wisely
made. The sidewalks have been graded,
and miles of concrete replace the old worn
out brick walks. The streets nave been
improved, the machinery for good road
making purchased and an electric fire alarm
provided.
For streets, sidewalks and sewers the es-
innate for this year is $13, 800. Considering
what has been done, which is permanent,
ana the Consequently decreased area for ex-
penditure, and the diminished necessity for
great outlay, S13,5 D seems TO be q very lib
eral estimate, contemplating the continue
ton OF work on a scale az extensive as dur
ing the past few years. The taxpayers have
a right to suggest to the Council, and to en-
force the suggestion upon their very earnest
consideration, that every project for spend
ing money in this department be adopted
only after the most mature and careful de-
liberation. The sum of $4,000 would be a
large one for this department. The sum of
ST 800, economically and judiciously ex-
pended, in a community of the size of Mont
pelier, would possibly make all needed inn
provements and pay for adequate repairs
and service. These are things for the City
Council to act upon with careful fore
thought.
The school bill for the past year was SILL
215.44, and the estimate for the year to come
is S12, 600. For good schools, for efficient
service, money is well expended. The pub
lie will not begrudge a dollar, in this de-
partment, for faithful and meritorious teach
ing, or for needed and rational helps in
teaching, or for proper and well-considered
ad administration Probably in no other depart
ment are the details of administration sub
jected to less rigid scrutiny. The expendi-
ture of S12, 600 for public schools in this
municipality involves grave responsibility
and the practice of great WISDOM more
grave and greater than in any other branch
of the public service, and the public nave
the right to demand the best employment Of
the aggregate good sense and good judg-
ment of the board. Wisdom in expenditure
for schools is not measured by the amount
Of money handled. Liberal salaries for ex.
perienced and efficient teachers, the judi
cious employment of the aids and accesso-
ries of good instruction, is wise economy.
To practice this economy with sound wis
dom is one of the problems of administra-
ton.
The third longest item in the estimate is
a." miscellaneous accounts, $7,400." 1.-THE
little foxes spoil the vines" and in this null
titude of miscellaneous accounts a large
amount of the public revenue may disap-
pear. The paying out of every miscellane-
Gus dollar, which in the past year aggregated
SIT ,314. "a, should be justified by a clearly
shown and an imperative necessity.
The times are hard. The money Of the
people is dearly earned, and should be
spent under a deep sense of responsibility.
In the matter of public improvement the
city has reached APPOINT where "slow trot'
may wisely be marching orders, at least till
the times mend. When rec operation comes,
there will be time to consider new and i'm
portant public enterprises. When the city
Z" gets a good ready" every son OF Montpe-
lier will wish to see a City Hall, befitting
the capital of the state, rising on the land it
already owns. For the present, and proba-
bly, for five years to come, half the interest
on the sum Capital Hall will sell for will
pay the rent on a hall for public meetings.
By that time the real wants and require
ments of the municipality in the matter of a
City Hall will be better understood, and the
city will be in better shape to meet them,
Not many years ago the aggregate annual
expenses of the village government were
regularly less than the single item OF cleo
trio lighting at the present time, and it was
a goodly town then, with many gospel
privileges" The city will never get back
to those arcadian times, but it can approach
them with no serious abatement of munich
pal luxuries and none of real necessities.
We repeat-the voters will impose upon the
City Council no iron-clad obligation to ex-
pend the entire sun of S63, 800, the amount
of the estimates, during the current year.
By every $1,000 they can reduce expenses
below this aggregate and administer Mont
pelier's affairs with becoming liberality and
wisdom, to that extent will the members of
the Council win the applause of the great
majority of the taxpaying public Interested
only in a judicious administration of mu-
nicipal affairs.