The Houston daily post. [volume] (Houston, Tex.) 1886-1903, 1897-01-26

city is less on December 81. 1926, than the
preceding year,
From tho statement OF the city sccrc-
tsry December 81. 1925. We find the total
debt OF the city of Houston was s2,c,5,-
2sioi. total debt December 81. 1876, ST.
1911 ig2. IA: a reduction Of $5i.isi 81.
| Total receipts OF treasurer for issf. sSat.-
| eai, total receipts of treasurer for 1896,
S3aa.2s7. reduction of SIS. 500. Being a
substantial reduction OF our public debt.
| This can ouly be maintained by strict
! business methods. In other words. mauaG-
| iue the city OF Houston's affairs jus; like
| business man or competent private IN
| diVidual would manage his own.
| | desire to call your attention and most
earnestly enlist your assistance in reg ,rd
| TO the proper management oi nur finances
Under our laws. ! per cen, Of all ad
valorem taxes should be deposited for the
REDEMPTION and interest OF cur bonded In
dcbtcdness.
In no case has this ever been done. You
gentlemen o. the city council OF Hous-
ton, and myself. are both morally and
legally bound TO sec that a sinking fund is
annually deposited In some hank in this
city TO keen faith with if~ creditors. We
mist do this In order TO do justice hot only
to ourselves. but the good name and credit
Of Houston.
You must not allow this sinking fund TO
remain inactive. hut use IL in redeeming
outstanding bonds or Investment IN good
securities OF some kind, thus benetting our
CITY.
We are paying $4,000 annually FOR lights
and water. At rate Of per ccnt--ihe
amount which the bulk Of the cify's bonds
bear-,his would pay interest on nearly
Seoo 600 annually. ! mention this circum-
stance for your careful consideration.
In regard to the price Of gas row pre-
vailirc here. ! think with proper effort
on our part. II can be reduced. am con
hdent the owners OF the gas plant will meet
us half way.
We must rocollec; however that inSti-
tu,ons that have been firmly established
and invested large sums Of money here.
should be given very careful and Just
treatment and While DESTROYS Of benefit
inf the people Of our community we can
not afford to make too radical changes IN
a short time.
l desire TO call your attention also to
the future of orr city from the present
date in regard 10 the pavement Of streets.
construction OF sewers. school and fire
houses
Under tho present charter Of our city
while We are allowed 10 issue $4,000 an
nually for current expenses. etc. in no
sense Of the word can we use this money
derived from this issue for street improve
ments The proper system OF saving streets
and how 10 Justly accomplish Same is
much veyed question.
NV judgment and advise ia 10 issue
bonds for such purpose and to 'et each
,aNpavcr bear his or ner burden according
10 their taxable wealth This gcerrr 10 ne
the fairest manner by which We can i'm
prove and better our streets | never could
sec the consistency of ahutting property
paving for pavements upon is frontage
when there is such vast difference IN the
values of such property
For Instance a property holder owning
fiftv feci in tho center Of he business por-
tion Of Main street. deriving revenue from
hia prorerty, Will ray considerably less
thar another property holder at the end
Of said street with homestead with no
r,venuo and owning go feet The iujus-
tie "a plain. nv The issue Of bonds with
general tax each and every taxpayer pays
according 10 his holdings.
II possible think We should -cpair the
wharves at The foot NJ Main and Fannin
streets. enabling more facilities for wnter
commerce. Respectfully submitted
II. y Rice Mayor
The message WIS referred to the finance
committee.
NEW RUsINEss.
Aldermen Monaghan and Aubertln o.
fered motion prortdiag for the opening Of
Providence and Liberty streets and Tor the
lowering Of the scwor on semmcs and
Maury streets. ADOPTED
The same aldermen submitted a notion
The the mayor and the street aud
bridge committee confer with the
county commissioners aud the proper
railway authorities in reference to the
placing Of q ditch to drain certain section
OF the Fifth ward Into Little White oak
bayou. Adopted
Alderman Cronan offered motion tina,
the mayor look into the condition of the
old cemetery in the First ward with tho
view Of determining whether it would he
better to enclose the place and remove the
bodies
alderman kohlhaud said that this was
provided for in tho proposed new charter
Alderman Sonncn moved that the street
ana bridge committee investigate the con |
1iIon OF the hcauchamp spriugs road with |
me view OF making u passahe Carried |
Alderman Cronan desired to submit some |
data for the consideration of the commit. !
Ice having the question Of gas franchise
under consideration suggesting that tho
lualiiy Of the proposed nov gas be thor
luEhly tested. etc
Secretary Warner announced that tho re-
'ort Of tNc charter amendment committee
rad been printed as provided nv Alderman
streets motion and that each alderman had
'een provided with a printed copy
The mayor stated that this repor, would
% Immediately taken MP by the council al
committee NJ the whole and that they
would continue in session from day TO dav
III tho matter was disposed OF
After some discussion IS TO the most con
'enlent time for the d.',y meeting n wa.
iecded that . y. nj would no the most
convenient hour, and commencing today
he council viii meet daily nj n M In
Necuiive session and continue their r1cet-
r - until they are ready to submit a re-
,ort
The council then adjourned
CAPTAIN ENDT LOSES HIS FOOT