The Saint Paul globe. (St. Paul, Minn.) 1896-1905, 1897-03-27
NYE MAKES A STATEMENT.
HALF MILLION OF CITY MONEY is
TIED UP-APPROPRIATION
MUST BE CUT.
Talks EntertainingIy of Life in Gen.
trail America-Minneap
Matters.


it has been gaining recently by disposing
of large amount of work in short space of
time. When President Loye called the meet
ing to order at O'Clock the clerks desk was
covered with documents Of all kinds and for
two hours and a half the aldermen attended
strictly to business. This neatness and dis
patch may be accounted for in the fact that
President Loye at the beginning of the ses-
sion, was made the recipient of a beautiful
gavel composed of whitewood, cherry and
walnut, the work of students of the South
side high school, and presented to the presi-
dent of the council by Linus S. Bristol be-
half of himself and fellow students. In ac-
cepting the gift, President Loye made one OF
his characteristic speeches, thanking the
students of the South side school for the token
of their esteem, and assuring them that
when his term of office should cease he should
cherish the emblem of authority made and
presented by them.
The old gavel was Immediately laid aside
and the new one substituted.
The much abused salary resolution which
has been travelling back and forth between
the council chamber and the mayors Office
Tor some time past, having been vetoed twice,
was presented with a communication from
Mayor Pratt, giving as his reasons for the
second veto the fact that his recommended
Mons IN the first instance had been entirely
ignored, in so far as they related TO the re-
duction of the salaries of telephone operators
and patrolmen detailed to police court duty
from $1,000 to 5000 per year The mayor ex-
platned that to a great exten he
sponslble for expenditures in connection with
the police department and requested tine sec
ond time that his recommendation be acted
upon.
Aid. Webster moved that the resolution be
amended TO conform with the expressed
wishes OF the mayor, which amendment pre-
vailed, the original motion as amended being
carried by vote of 10 to 2.
City Comptroller Wallace G. Nye presented
statement showing the exact condition of
the financial affairs of the city as they exist
at the present time explaining as his reasons
for doing so that he had been repeatedly
asked for such information by city officials
ana members of the council and as he had
grown tired OF explaining affairs to each in
dfvidual. he wished to make a complete state
ment through the council.
Mr. Nye dwelt upon the absolute necessity
or pracdcing the strictest economy. The
amount of money tied up in defunct banks
represented an amount equal to $549 600
Wh1ch amount would be unavailable during
tne coming season. The revolving fund from
wren money for the construction of sewers
cufbs, pavements, etc, is taken, is represent
60 IN the amount tied up, and it will be i'm
Poss-Die TO prosecute any such improvements
at present or for a long time to come None
OF the work contemplated can be taken up
until the city knows how much it can count
on from May collections, and perhaps not
then.
Another serious phase Of the situation lies
IN the fact Of a considerable shortage in
belongs to these funds and that sum repre-
sents Is per cent of the tax levy for this year.
whikh means that the wards will have to do
the beSt they can on the IS per cent of the
funds ON which they are counted In order
TO keep within the limits, Mr.. Nye said many
contemplated improvements would have to be
annulled.
The report referred to the committee
on ways and means.
report was also read from c.. A. Nimocks.
relative to the large amount of money due
and Shp
between the books of the county and CITY
treasurers, which he thought should be cor
rected He also recommended that the af-
fairs of the defunct banks in which the CITY
had deposits. be closely examined and the
responsibility of the bondsmen determined.
He suggested further that the books Of the
late city treasurer be checked up to the time
that Mr.. Hubert assumed the duties of the
Office. In conclusion Mr.. Nimocks asked that
he be allowed to do such work.
This report was also referred to the COM
mittee on ways and means.
A report was also presented and read from
City Treasurer Hubert, relative to the affairs
of his office.
petition from j. E. Keelyn, representing
the National Electrical Construction company
/ of Chicago. asking for permission to construct
/ and operate telephone exchange system in
/ Minneapolis, was referred to a committee of
! one from each ward.
Aid Websters ordinance relating to the
/ management of the city treasurer's Office was
! read for the first time.
If the ordinance, as at present contemplated
/ by the alderman from the Eight ward. is
/ finally adopted, it will make considerable of
| change in the Office to which it refers 1t
| provides that all receipts for money handed
! the treasurer must be signed Jointly by that
| official and the comptroller. Likewise all
/ checks must also bear the signature of the
comptroller or be valueless. At the end of
each day the treasurer will be obliged to de-
post all money received during that day
and to make a complete statement to the
comptroller of his receipts and disbursements
together with the amount of money on hand
and where deposited This latter statement
! shall also be made daily.
At the end of each month a statement is
! to be handed to the city clerk for presenta-
ton to the council showing the condition of
the various funds, the amount CT money on
hand and where deposited At the end of
every month ii shall be the duty of the comp
| troller to check up the books Of the city treas
urer and to count the cash, thus verifying
! the statement made by che treasurer. On
| the first day of each month all banks having
/ city funds on deposit will be required to
| make to the comptroller detailed report Of
| transactions during the month and amount on
| deposit at the end Of each month A revolv-
| ing fund will be created, limited to $40 00O
| to provide the treasurer with ready money.