The times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1890-1903, 1897-04-28

nm adjustment. He would make such
"A report TO the Council. said he. without
any reflection whatever upon the otner
members OF the committee In reply 10
a question MFR. Allen stated that accord
ing 10 the budget already adopted for the
year the Street department was pracu-
cally wiped out.
Mr.. Ebel followed in speech IN which
he agreed In large measure WIN 'hc
nos,tI9ns Of Mr.. Allen and Mr.. Noble. af-
ter which the motion to include the re-
nort of IN. spccial Accountant I'm the re-
mort OF the committee to the Council was
adopted.
WORTH THINKING OVER.
Captain Mccarthy being called upon TO
give an estimate in figuring OF the exc
penses and revenue OF the city govern
ment for 1897. stated that he had done
this In what Is known as The Problem
Of 1891" This has been published In The
Times in full and shows that the total
amount of revenues for 1896 was N.3Ol.o2
an increase OF $50. 200 over 1885. The total
revenue estimated for 1897 is si,422 053.
The amount OF rctrenchment necessary
TO live within the estimated revenue OF
is9, and pay off the floating debt In that
year s34S 5i1.23. Amount necessary TO
retrench to live within revenue without
increasing or diminishing the bills pay
able" IL the "estimat1d' revenues of 1897
are actually collected $sS.537.23.
Amount OF retrenchment necessary in
order 20 live within revenue OF the rove
nues OF 1897 should be the same amount
as the collected revenue of 1896. the float
ing debt remaining unchanged $l53,5i1.23.
Captain Mccarthy I'm explanation stated
that the practice of bringing forward
unexpended balances on the books of the
Treasurer and Auditor lad formerly
greatly increased the debt of the city by
necesstating additional appropriations.
"rhe bringing forward of unexpended
balances and the closing OF balances I'm
excess of appropriations authorized by
the budget OF 1896" said he has caused
on ostensible appropriation of 1880 go
by the addition of 1896 of balances
brought forward. TO say nothing Of the
balances IN excess of appropriations
closed by the same authority.
THE action of the Council I'm eliminat.
Ing from the budget of 1897 the clause au-
thorizing balances to be brought forwarIf
or closed, as the case might be. certainly
cut out $1,000 Of balances which II was
proposed TO bring forward In addition to
the amount provided for I'm the budget
and also prevented the closing of over
drawn balances amounting TO about $780,
OOO."
A GREAT WORK.
Captain Mccarthy went on to explain
how this practice had accumulated the
floating debt of the city and pointed out
the danger in such methods and the ne
cessity Of putting a stop to them. lie
aleo smoke Of the great advantage derived
from the work Of the Retrenchment Com
mittee and it's powerful influence IN keep
ing the appropriations for 1897 down TO
what they are. and ~ giving the public
an insight into tho workings OF the
city government. He said that the value
OF the services rendered by the Committee
on Retrenchment ard Reform could not
be over-eztimated.
Mr.. Noble submitted n resolution. which
was adopted. requesting that the city
Attorney make application TO the Clerk
Of the House OF Delegates to furnish to
the City Clerk information as to laws
passed by the Legislature affecting the
charter of the city of Richmond.
Mr. Noble explained. in regard to the
reduction of expenses to fall within
the annual appropriation of the city, that
he did not think that more than $4,000
out Of the s21 .i26 estimated by the COM
mittee by a reduction of expenses. would
t.. .r'..ai'v reai'7od Ve WIS su-e that the
committee would find that after 1t was
seen that nothing in the way OF re-
ton ooi''' %. done I'm the Fire.
Police. and School Departments. 1t would
he seen that there would remain a de-
felt Of some $4,000. an amount which
would not be half covered by the items
named. without figures estimated. Tie
would in that event join Mr. Allen IN a
minority report. recommending a scale
reduction that would save a sufficient
amount to meet the deficit.
After some routine work the committee
decided TO meet again next Tuesday
night at S o'clock, to further formulate
IT'S report. It Is understood that this
will not be lady 10 be submitted at the
next meetii. of the Common Council.
Monday nig.f, May Sd.