The evening tribune. (Pawtucket, R.I.) 189?-190?, 1897-01-04
mayor DAVIS MESSAGE.


OF the city, reviewing appropriation
and expenditures, with recommends
tions for the future. His appreciation
OF the work of the highway department
In positive and shows that he favors th'
reelection Of Loring G. Ladd as com
missioner of public works. He say'
that the control of the streets shouio
be iealously preserved to the city IN
der all circumstances, and their use py
corporat,ons or others for the purpose
of gain. whether for quasi public con-
renience or otherwise, should be grant.
ed but for limited terms OF time for a
fairly reasonable either direct or indi.
rect consideration.
In touching upon the affairs OF the
school committee Mayor Davis reflects
the sentiment of the majority Of the
people when he says that it is fair, but
lust criticism to say that the laudable
ambition to make the school system
ideal, but at the same time there Is
such a phase as surfeit of scholarship
and the multiplication OF studies and
experimental Celebrations is their pres
eut most threatening aspect.
Our water works system is commend
ed and Mayor Davis believes that as an
announcement to manufacturing in
dustries it should be kept in first class
equipment.
1'More than all others, because all
others are dependent upon 1t for sup.
port, our financial condition demands
our most thoughtful attention." says
Mayor Davis.
Ours is one of the most progressive
OF New England cities. Our industries
are well diversified and prosperous,
giving employment to larger proper
tion OF our people than those of almost
any other city in the country and, be-
cause this is 30, ours is comparatively
eainful community.
Continuing the Mayor says: 1--WE
are well able to and will and shall pay
all our financial obligations according
70 their terms and tenor; nevertheless
there is pressing demand for reform
In the administration Of our fiscal af-
fairs"
We find upon review Of the situa-
ton the city's expenditures for the last
ten years, if not longer, have exceeded
Its income upon an average (speaking
In round mum bers). of some 100000
per anuum, while within the same time
its population has increased about 30
per cent, its valuation of ratable estates
for taxation has been advanced about
30 per cent, and its Indebtedness has
increased 800 per cent. 1t is not the
amount OF our dsbt, large as it is
which, as have said, we can we'll pay
butts ceaseless accumulation that gives
us reason to pause with anxiety.
The large apparent increase in deb
sbown during the past ten months j
due in part to the change OF the clos
OF the fiscal year to September 30 from
December /, as heretofore, which pre-
vents the books Of the city treasure
from showing credit for amount o
taxes assessed and due on October 1.
The recommendation Of Mayor Davi
that special committee be appointe
by the City Council to enter into q
earnest and prudential consultation
with the heads OF the different depar,
ments Of the city, pruning from sal
departments all superfuous charge
and unnecessary employees, is along tn
right lines to get q moro correct ide
and better understanding of the condi
tion Of the City Treasury and also ~ t
the numerous avenues Of outlet Tn
reduction Of wages OF officials which
suggested by the Mayor as last re
sort, 10 bound to meet with disfavcr
There 10 no denying the fact that man.
Of the heade OF departments receiv
Less salary than similar officials in cite
Of the size and Importance of Paw
tuckeg.
Al for an increase OF the tax rate 4
% on each 600 CT the taxable propert
OF the city IL might seem that this
the only alternative for the city I
take ut the present time, considerin
the financial condition OF the treasury
but the fact remains that more equi,
able assessment Of property would be
remedy that might be applied. On
thing 10 certain and that is that th
citszcns OF PAwtucket cannot enio
metropolitan methods without provi,
ing means for their payment, and th
i what il beiuR done at the presei
time. In cities where there il % "a
rate there IL lacking many OF the moe
srn methods which are now in use /
This city. There is another point frol
which this feature can be viewed, an
that IL that the increase Of the city
population IL due in . considerabl
degree 70 its up-to-date methods.