The morning news. [volume] (Savannah, Ga.) 1887-1900, 1897-12-30
TAX RATE NOT CHANGED.
AN UNSUCCESSFUL MOVEMENT TO
PUT 1T BACK TO $3.50 PER 500.

Not Passed-An Ordinance PrOvid-
ing for Plumbers Examining
Board and a Plumbing Inspector
IntrOduced-AIderma WyIly's Res
fgnntiOn Accepted with Regrets.
The tax ordinance and budget were
adopted by the city council last night, as
reported by the committee of the whole,
An effort by Alderman Krouskoff to have
the tax rate raised from $l.45 to $50 per
500 was unsuccessful, being defeated after
some spirited discussion.
Alderman Krouskoff advocated the in
crease on the ground that it was neces-
sary to provide for the expenditures of the
city. The reduction had been made year
ago by the last council to pose before the
public he said, and it was known at the
time that the receipts were not sufficient
for the expenditures 1t was bad policy
10 decrease the appropriations TO the de-
partments, he said to avoid putting the
tax rate where it should be.
Alderman Smith said he did not believe
In grand-stand plays. He took
exceptions to Alderman Krouskoff's
remarks. He saw no reason
for increasing the tax rate. "There is not
a department in the city of Savannah that
is not extravagantly operated and you all
know 1t as we'll as / do" said Alderman
Smith. 81 am one of those who prefer
to say to those in charge of the several
city departments we make you certain APP
propriations and we expect you TO operate
these departments as economically and as
efficiently as possible for you to do
Alderman We'll said the members of the
present board had said a year ago that the
reduction in the tax rate was made for a
purpose and he believed this to be the
case. The present tax rate did not return
a sufficient amount for the city's expendi-
lures. The figures would show that had
1t not been for the unexpected receipt of
the back taxes of the Central railroad the
city would not have been able to make
ends meet.
Alderman Krouskoff said there was
hardly a civilized city that could show
streets and lanes in such condition as Sa-
Vannah does The streets and lanes COM
mittee and the public works committee
had kept within their budget for this pur-
pose, but with this result. The police COM
mission and other departments would have
to cut their forces or otherwise decrease
the efficiency of their departments in Or
der to come within their budgets.
Alderman Guckenheiner asked if it were
not true that both departments referred
lanes and scavenger, had not kept within
their budgets, and consequently were re-
sponsible for this condition of the streets
and lanes
Alderman Krouskoff's motion was lost
by vote Of to 2. Alderman We'll voting
with Alderman Krouskof.
The tax ordinance was then adopted
Alderman Krouskoff voting against 1t.
Alderman Davis ordinance for the i'm
provement of Bull street was lost for lack
of a sufficient vote The ordinance came
up on its second reading. 1t provided for
the paving of Bull street from the south
ern side of New Houston street to the
southern side of Anderson street, width
of forty feet and from Anderson street
to the southern side of Twelfth street.
width of 45 feet.
Alderman Guckenheimer said that while
he was partially in favor of the improve
ment of Bull street. he was opposed to the
plan by which it was proposed to do the
work. All work of this kind should be let
out by contract he said, and
the commissioner of public works
should be required to sub
init an estimate of the cost of the work.
He accordingly moved that the ordinance
be laid on the table and bids advertised
for.
Alderman Davis said the city had paid
$1,000 for steam roller, which it did not
desire to leave idle.
Alderman We'll was opposed to paving
Bull street at present There are other
streets which are much more in need of
paving than Bull street. he said. While
only two property owners opposed the paw
ing, these two own three-quarters of the
property between New Houston and Alb
ercorn streets. He considered Bull street
in fair condition at present.
Alderman Krouskoff said that the peo-
pie who have TO use Bull street find it al
most impossible after a rain 1t is abso-
lutely necessary, he said, that the street
be improved at once.
Mayor Meldrim announced that nine
votes in the affirmative would be required
to pass the ordinance under the rules.
When the vote was taken there were
six in favor to three against-Aldermen
Guekenheimer, Well and Reid voting IN
the negative. A motion to lay on the table
was lost
The vote was taken a second time with
the same result, except that the chair
voted in favor making seven votes in the
affirmative.
Alderman Krouskoff said he thought the
city had had about enough of contract
work 1t has an illustration of it now.
The Indian behind the bush, he said, is
not to save money for the city but op.
position to the commissioners of public
works. Alderman Guckenheimer prompt
ly denied that he had any such motive
and the mayor declared the discussion
out of order.
The ordinance was declared lost by a
vote of z to 8.
The committee of the whole reported
favorably upon all the petitions for liquor
license with the exception of that of b.
Crum, which was reported upon unfavora-
bly,.
Alderman Guckenheimer demanded a
division upon the report on Crum the
rest of the report being adopted. Alder
man Well seconded the motion. On the
vote the report of the committee of the
whole was sustained by vote of to 4.
The Suburban and West End railway pc
titioned that the special tax on street rail
way companies be fixed at $50 for each
company and $40 for each car instead of
$500 for each company and SIS for each car.
There was some discussion of the petit
ton. 1t being held that the matter had
been passed upon by council in framing
the tax ordinance.
Alderman Wells substitute that the mat
ter be considered at once did not receive
a second, and Alderman Guckenheimer's
,aeoi,ttion that the DetitiOn be received as