The Wichita daily eagle. [volume] (Wichita, Kan.) 1890-1906, 1897-01-08
Daily Eagle
NJ. NJ. MURDOCH, Editor.
WIcHIFA's WORRY.

DlQlSIfatlOQ OF Inc dudlTS Ol the CITY
along certain lines. BY both the last
two administrations Of Mayors Carey
and Cox, respectively, many economical
cuts in expenses have been made, and
many earnest and honest efforts have
been put forth TO tighten the burthen
of the taxpayer. But despite all that has
been done in the way of relieving the
situation, and Notwithstanding the gen
eral acknowledgment that all was done
under the then existing circumstances
that could have reasonably been expect
ed, in the way of retrenchment, still the
conditions have continued TO grow more
drastic and the pinch of poverty TO
tighten, and with these comes the un
mistakabe demand for still more eco
nomical policy in the future, even 10 the
curtailment of public service and the
looping off of seeming necessities, at
least until such time as change shall
come in financial and industrial condi-
tons. individuals, companies and cor
porations everywhere have been forced
&c reduce current expenses, and why not
municipalities? If there does not soon
come a change in industrial and eco
nomical conditions. states and even the
general government will be forced 10
adopt more economical methods. 1t is
lust as ruinous for municiality to fail
to live within it's income as it is for
firm or an individual. 1t may be, in
deed, that this country will never see
prosperous times again until its individ-
uals, firms, corporations, communities.
and all, have given over the expensive
habits and enterprises beGotten of boom
times and settled down to living within
their incomes. 1t is certain that those
individuals, firms and municipalities
which live within their incomes and
emerge at the end Of the siege free from
debt and encumbrances, will be the
ones which will lead off. To say that
expenses can no further be reduced is
nonsense The individual whose salary
wages or income has been cut one-half
must cut expenses one-half, Of bank
ruptcy is inevitable. 1t is not case
which will permit of temporizing or eX-
tenuation. If the revenues of city
have fell off one-half, expenses must be
cut accordingly, or otherwise come the |
inevitable alternatives of robbing the |
taxpayers or of piling up debts, which |
is the same thing. Conspiring conditions |
have rendered the situation deplOrable |
for individuals, firms and municipal |
ties. the country over, but the demands |
OF each situation must be met and the |
sooner the better. Those who meet it |
first, by the only way it can be sensibly
met, will prove the wiser and be the
best off. 1t is an utter impoSsibility for
the city of Wichita, on present valua
lions and under the shrinkage and de-
struction of property which she has ex
perienced. 10 keep house on the boom
scale without absolutely stranding all
those interests and values which make
city. We will not at this time attempt
TO enumerate the lines or designate the
places where cuts should and must be
made. 1t will demand something very
near akin TO craftsmanship to admins
ter the affairs of this city for the next
two years in such a way as will not
hopelessly cripple its present and de-
stroy its chances for the future. The
demand is for both wisdom and patriot
ism upon the part of burdened property
holders and taXpayers-if the efficiency
u. into
within our income, and expenses be re-
stricted TO the revenues afforded by a
reasonable taxation. If there is any
thing that should escape cutting we do
not know what it is. ConfiScation by
taxation is the simpest form of munich
pal suicide. Property values once de-
stroyed the very necessity for any gov
eminent disappears. 1t is case of cut
ting your garment according to your
cloth, or otherwise freezing 10 death,
for nobody will deny that the blizzard
is on Just as well have no property as
to burthen it beyond it's capaity to bear
the only alternative Is to become ten
ant Several local correspondents, late S
ly, have called the attention of the au- !
thorities, through the Eagle to the con-
dition of sidewalks, which all about the
city are growing dangerous AS this
one item of expense has been mention ,
ed. We would in this single ca advise, I
and that is. let the council authorize the !
general substitution OF cinder walks of Z
certain character and dimensions every
where outside of certain limits where
tie beard sidewalks have become dan
gerous. That would largely mitigate
our just now very onerous expense and
FOR great many. However. this is but
one little item; there are a number OF
larger ones I
We do not call attention to this public s
question and need with any desire to be $
Hooded with communications from TAX L
Payer" Property Holder" "veritas,"
Ell al. for we don't want them. We are :.
not talking from personal grievance b
but just as we would like 5
to hear candidates for mayor, for mem S
bers of the city council and school board Y
talk. If anybody feels Ike airing him
self in opposition To these views he is
advised TO hunt some other organ. IL h
he endorses them, let him interview the e
candidates. not forgetting the primary Il
D. his ward nor his duty on election b
lay.