The Providence news. (Providence [R.I.]) 1891-1906, 1896-12-15
Council Passes Salary
(. Raising Ordinance.
Another Veto Message Re-
ferred Back to Committee.
Official Salaries to Be Inquired
Into-Other Business.

A"oe NHo - iOhS Oho saa Voo oSs
without its important features.
The frst business considered was a
message from the mayor returning the
resolution to increase the salaries In the
Office OF the city treasurer from S10, 600 to
sll,0 900 without his approval. The mes
sage was as follows:
Gentlemen Of the City Council-I herewith
return without approval bill for ordi-
nance presented to me for approval Decem-
Der 4, 1895, in amendment of chapters 48 and
627 OF the ordinances, increasing TO $1,000 the
appropriation for assistants in the Office of the
City Treasurer, to be employed under the di-
rection Of the joint committee on finance. ]
am opposed TO any increase, however small, OF
the salary account at the present time. i de-
prccate the practice Of waiting till the closing
days Of the municipal year to ask for an in
crease Of salaries, which, IL meritorious,
ought to be applied for before the passage of
the annual appropriation ordinance in Sep
tember of each year, and thus be included in
the estimates on which such ordinance is
based and the tax rate fixed / would sug-
gest, IL deemed expedient, that joint spec
ial committee be appointed 10 take into con-
sideration the question of salaries of city
officials, with instructions TO inquire into the
matter and.to report back such recommenda-
tions for increase or diminution of salaries, as
the merits Of each case and the condition Of
the cily's finances justify.
(Signed) EDWIN ID. MCGUINNEss,
Mayor.
The ordinance was passed over the
mayors veto.
The mayor also refused to approve the
resolution remitting the taxes OF Charles
w. Bowen, executor. His message on this
matter was as follows:
Gentlemen of the City Couuoil--I herewith
return without my approval Joint resolution
Of the City Council, presented to me for APP
proval December 4, 1896, to remit 10 Charles
w. Bowen, executor OF the estate of Caroline
Bowen, the sum Of s35.g,, being the amount
of the tax assessed on personal estate as over
taxation.
Under the decision Of the Supreme Court Of
this State, notably in the case of the Coventry
Company vs. the assessors of the town of
Coventry, 10, r. l., 2l0, and Benjamin Trip,
City. Treasurer, VS.. Torrey, IL, r. l., $3.50, and
in the late case OF. .Quimby vs. Wood, this last
case having been decided July ~, 1896, the
City Council has no power to remit part of n
tax on the ground of overtaxation, unless the
petitioner shall have complied with chapter
10, section o, of the General Laws, which re-
-tt#ifes person and body corpo-
rate liable to taxation TO bring in to the as
SCISSORS true and exact account OF oll his
ratable estate, describing and specifying the
value of every parcel of his real and personal
estate at such time as they may prescriba."
Section of the same chapter prescribed
that whoever neglects or refuses to bring in
such account, IL overtaxed, shall have no rem
edy therefor" The case in point is one in
which the petitioner did not bring in to the
assessors the account required by law, and for
the consequent overtaxation he has no rem
edy. The law and decisions are plain and di-
rect concerning such case as this, and our
duty is equally manifest. That portion of the
resolution which applies to the tax assessed
against Abby IT, l.. Hunter Is legal, as the
residence OF the petitioner is in Helena, Mon.
tana, and It should be passed by your body
again In a separate resolution.
/ would suggest the advisability and pro
priety, hereafter, of making e,ch claim the
subject Of a separate resolution.
(sgned> EDWIN ID. McGUISNEss,
Mayor.
The matter was referred back to the
committee on claims with instructions to
place the matter In the hands OF the city
solicitor.
Mr.. Tanner, for the committee on ordi-
nances reported favorably upon q bill for
All ordinance authorizing the city Hucttor
to select one Of his clerks to act as city
auditor during his temporary absence.
It was passed.
Mr.. Tanner, aloo reported q bill for an
providing for the advertising
for BIDS for work or supplies needed by
the city. 1t was not passed.
He also reported q bill for an ordinance
fixing the bond OF the sealer of weig hts
and measures at 5000. 1t was passed.
Mr.. Phillips, of the committee on
nnance, reported back a resolution au-
thorizing tie appointment of q joint
special committee to report as to the
amount of salaries paid city officials and
TO make suitable recommen dations as to
the sdvisability OF increasing or reduc-
ing them. It was passed and Messrs.
Phillips, SturRes. Kendfick and Anthony
were appointed TO represent the council
ON this committee.
Mr.. Phillips. for the same committee
reported an ordinance increasing the |
public school appropriation $4,000. He
sx planned that this was nothing more |
han tho transfer of the usual appropris- |
lion for school janitors to another title |
and u was passed.
The resolution authorizing the park |
com missioners to cxpend Si00, 900 In the
srcction OF bridge and In carrying .out |
other work in Roger Williams park |
caused q long discussion. On the motion |
of Mr.. Waterman, Mr.. Dep,ing, the chair |
man OF the commission addressed the |
council explaining that the work. ~ done |
now could be completed OF much less ex-
pense than IL postponed until next sum
mer.
Mr.. Gardner said that he was I'm favor |
ot tho resolution as II would tend to |
provide labor for the unemployed and Mr..
Bullock said that while he was heartily /