The Houston daily post. [volume] (Houston, Tex.) 1886-1903, 1897-03-01
SOME SUGGESTIONS
As to the Provisions of the New
Chnrtcr--Compromts Indicated


To the Editor OF Tho Post.
Tho opposition to the new charter Is
mainly directed to.
LIST. Tho fee system and the extravaganza
fees allowed some OF the city officers.
Cd, The failure TO provide against the
diversion OF the excess not required for
interest OF the per cent bond tax from
sinking fund purposes. TO general expenses
OF the city.
50. The large bond issue and the pur-
poses to which the proceeds may b. applied.
4th. The failure to provide restrictions
requiring an economical expenditure of
public money.
18Th. The extension OF the city limits at
this time
9th. Tho contiscatory character OF the
delinquent tax provisions,
Most everybody will admit that these OBJ
!ectiuns have merit.
On the other hand, some offices are bet
ter administered under fee system under
proper regulations
The immediate withdrawal OF a large
sum now used for general purposes worh
tend to cripple the present administration.
such result is not desired. even by those
who feel that the city administration Las
disposition or courage to rctrench In eur
rent expenditures. for instance in Keeping
Thy vote Of 10 to - an imaginary cart
on 'he pay rolls OF the city at a cost OF SUI
Der month under the pretenco of furnish
ing transportation CD to one of It's Of
ficials.
Public sentiment is in favor Of smaller
sum for current expense account ana u
larger fund for permanent improvements.
Is N n.
all municipal governments the real lues-
ton is what is the best To be done to ac-
complish the largest results?
1t is probable that the best course Is be-
tween the two demands. That on the fee
question all fees should bo paid into the
city treasury and that the council bo
authorized to allow not to exceed one-half
of the amount collected as compensation
to the officers in addition 10 salary As an
incentive This would furnish the city ad-
dtional revenue and give proper encour-
agcmont to the officers A portion OF tho
surplus bond tax might be required to be
placed in the hands OF the board Of llqui-
dntion for sinking fund purposes and grad
ually Increased every year uniil used ex-
clusvely for such purposes.
Tho difference on bond issue might be
compromised by authori1lng 5000 .000 issued
annually for 1897 and 1898 for paving end
sewerage exclusively, and 500 900 annually
for 1897 and 1898, and annually thereafter
for paving. sewers, permanent school build
ings bridges and fire houses.
This would limit the special Issue to
paving and sewers and tho 100000 to I'm
provemcnts of permanent character.
Tho extension Of the city limits could 20
over for two years which would bring 1t
before the period for the new census, aud
ut time when Il more active real estate
market would exist and those who could
not stand the burden could at least dispose
Of part of their holdings at fair price.
Expansion should always occur during
prosperous times.
The proper application OF the bond tax
would necessitate re,renchment and bring
about q reduction in current expenses
The provisions in the matter Of ielin-
quont taxes ought to be rigid enough TO
collect taxes and might be as rigid as our
representatives. in the legislature are Will
ing TO assume tho responsibility for, with
perhaps right of redemption for one year
after sale before deed would become alb
soiute
with large fund for permanent i'm
proycments and an economical expenditure
thereof Houston ought to make rapid prog
rcss, The administration would have in
the two years resources about ms follows:
Two per cent tax and other taxes
taxes $500, 900 annually T,OOOO00
Ronds for paving and sewers. 100000
Bonds for paving, sewers. school
houses. bridges and fire houses 2OOooO
Delinquent taxes. 5ooVhO
For all purposes. .............. S,aOoOo0
An amount nearly equal the total in
dcbtedness of the city
Surely things ought to hum.
fall