The Cape Girardeau Democrat. (Cape Girardeau, Mo.) 1876-1909, 1897-07-24
CITY COUNCIL.
Journal of Proceedings-tOfficiaD-
Adjourned Regular Session.

journal of Proceedings-tOfficiaD-
Adjourned Regular Session.
CITY OF CAPE GIRARDEAU.
Council Chamber Monday Evening
July 10th, 1897.
Council met in adjourned regular
session.
All members present.
Mayor William Il. Coerver presid-
ing.
The Mayor presented bis annual re-
port to the Council which was read by
the Clerk as follows:
MAYORS OFFICE. CITY OF CAPE
GIRARDEAU. July 8, 1897.
To the Hon. President Protein and
Council of the City of Cape Cir
ardeau.
GENTLEMEN: Complying with the
law making it the duty of the Mayor
to submit annually, to the Council,
his estimate OF the necessary appro-
priations to meet the wants of the city
for the current fiscal year, | respect
fully submit the following as a report
to that effect. with such suggestions as
may meet with your approval:
Reviewing the record OF the city's
financial affairs for the past fiscal
year, | find hat we have much cause
to be satisfied with tie result, although
much better results could have been
obtained had the ordinances in refer
ence to the collection of the revenue
been more strictly enforced.
COLLECTION OF REVENUE. tTAXEs.
While we have decreased the city's
liabilities over sIOOO.OO in the past
fiscal year. yet We might have reduced
it still moreh had a more vigorous sys-
TEN been adopted for the collection of
the delinquent taxes and licenses.
These taxes were first assessed and
levied for the purpose of defraying
the expenses of the city and lessening
her bonded indebtedness, and if they
are to remain on the delinquent lists
from year to year without any effort
being made to collect them, then it
would have been better forthe city had
she not gone to the expense of making
said assessment and levy. It can
not be charged hat the city taxes are
~burthensOme, for it is a fact that these
taxes have been made less for the last
three years than for any ten years
previous to that time.
There isno reason, however, forthese
taxes emainingdelinquent, and in some
cases lost to the city by reason of fail
ure to collect within the lawful limit
of time. for the ordinance bearing up
on the collection of the revenue is
plain and emphatic, and it only rests
with your honorable body to see that
the same is enforced.
LICENSES.
The same is true regarding the col
lection of the licenses aud the enforce
ment of the license ordinance. AS |
stated in IL former report, there is no
justice in Il majority of those liable
for a license tax paying the same,
while the minority are permitted to do
business, and that openly, without
having paid a license tax.
This is plain language, yet it is
nevertheless the truth, and until a
more vigorous policy is pursued in
compelling the officers charged with the
enforcement of the license ordinance
tn do their dnty. it will remain the
same. The license ordinance was pass
ed for the purpose of raising ad-
ditional YER to meet the added ex-
pense of hydrant rental for fire pro-
and the first year of its enactment
yielded over S1i00.0 0, more for that
year 1873 than for any succeeding
year since. The reason for this de-
creaseis obvious. Thereareasmany vO-
cations liza BILE for a license tax now as
there were then. if not more. The ex-
DllllfttLOh WI III lS SllLliiC.
The license ordinance is not enforced
as it should be. and all who are liable
for a license tax have not paid. The
law abiding citizen pays promptly,
while those who seek to evade in every
way any tax. whether license or other
wise, shirk their duty as citizens by
not paying until threatened with suit
or arrest. We trust you will consider
this matter.
TAX FOX GRADING AND SEWERS.
While upon the subject of taxation
We would recommendation an addition
al tax, the rate to be fixed by your
honorable body, for the purpose OF
grading streets and building sewers
and repairs, be added to the tax levy
the current fiscal year. as authorized
by state law. Under our present re-
for general expenditures We can
not keep the streets of the city in good
condition without this additional tax.
FINANCIAL.