The Providence news. (Providence [R.I.]) 1891-1906, 1897-01-04

posi- bic, at least three months previous
TO the commencement OF SAID second
period. In case OF fsilnre to agree fs
Aforesaid, at least two months prior to
the commencement Of such period. three
disinterested persons shall be- chosen. one
by the City Council in joint convention,
one by said company, and the third by
| the two SO chosen, who shall determine
the value of the special tax To be paid by
said company duripg the next period OF
| ive years. This IL matter OF great I'M
| portanco and the confederation thereof
should not be delayed.
FINANCES.
During the year new buildings valued
| at 80, Az, 700 were erected. The assessed
valuation of property for the financial
year beginning Oct. I, 1896, was as fol-
lows:
Real estate. S133, 296, 200
Increase over 1890. ........ 3.s5s, lao
Personal property. 40, e36, 300
Increase over 1881. ............ $50, 500
Total sssessed valuation Tor
1000. ..................... ia, ~, boo
Total increase over lsg5...... 4,447, $40
The total amount of tax assessed for
the present financial yesr was S2, ,S74,-
S36. 25, an increase OF Sl5S, 2S3. 30 over 1895.
Ibe nnancial question 10 q most impor-
tant and pressing one In every munich
pality. In order to meet the necessary
expenses OF tho city the tax rate wss in
creased from $1,000 to ZIG. 90 per thousand
dollars. The increased demands on city
governments arc in excess OF The ordinary
revenues provided to meet them. While
our expenses are constantly increasing
and must continue to increaase, II we In
tend To maintain our position ss pro-
gressive city, We still continue to practi-
m lks nh htats 81, taf fr<.
same old sources. The question that
forcibly presents itself to us is: How
mGy the revenue OF the city be increased
without adding To the burden Of direct
taxation upon the people? Tnis question
was exclusively discussed in the report
OF the Board of State Valuation made TO
the General Assembly at its January ses-
sion In 1892, and also I'm the report OF the
joint special committee relative to tho
assessment and collection of taxes made
to the City Council on March is. 1895.
The salient point affecting the city's in
terest of both these reports, Is that all
tangible personal property should be
taxed in the place where the same is sit
uated. There are millions of dollars
worth of goods, merchandise and other
tangible personal property located In
stores and warehouses in this city, and re-
ceiving the protection OF the tire and
police departments, that DO not pay one
cent OF tax into the city treasury. IL such
property were taxed In this city az 1t ough hit
in right and justice to be, the tax rate could
be materially reduced and oil necessary
Improvements at the same time be made.
In order to attain this wish for consum-
nation, legislative action must be oh
tanned making the necessary amendments
to the tax laws of the State. Another i'm
portant source OF revenue from which |
a city ought to obtain the greater part Of
Its necessarily large revenues Is the in
f-r... HrAs 49, H. 4
lie streets. IL municipal ownership of
street railways, gas and electric lighting
plants, in the same manner as we own |
and manage our water supply, be deemed |
inadvisabie, the city, at least, ought to |
have large share of the profits arising
the people and for which in many coses,
such as Washington street and Elmwood |
svenue, the people have paid large sums OF |
money to construct, enlarge and maintain. |
Fhis source of revenue rs fudfrecr and I
therefor Is not felt by the people as 4, the |
I'm the tax rate. The examples furnished |
US ty European cities such as Glasgow,
Berlin and Paris, are object lessons in |
favor OF such plan. / would, therefore,
urge thct while the present franchises
continue We should avail ourselves Of ell |
proper meaus under existing legislation
to Increase our revenue, but especially |
would | urge that no new arrangement |
or contract 90 made, except on the lines
OF an oquita bic share OF the profits, and
the supply of gas and electric lights to
the city. at actual cost, as part compan-
sa ito n for such franchises.
/ am aware that the experience of the |
past has shown that unwarrsnted inter-
ference of the legislature may prevent
all our efforts to benefit the people and |
reduce the burdens of taxation. This
mas been especially shown i u
the case Of the Union Railroad Compa ny
already referred to; also In the increase
of salaries of the Board of Canvsssers and
Reg gistsation. twitbstnsdiDg the refusal
Of the City Council to grant such in
crease; and lately in giving the school
the control of the appropria-
tion for the public schools, in violation
OF the spirit of our laws, which provide
that only representatives of the taxpayer
should expend the money of the tax
payer. I his continual interference with
the administration of the city, despite
Its earnest protests, Will continue unless
D public sentiment shall be created strong
aud powerful enough to compel the
granting of representation in the Lepis-
aturs to the city, proDorticnate to it's
population. That this sentiment is
aroused is evident, and continued acts of
viciou, political legislation will make it
rresista BILE.
Such, Gentlemen OF the City Council, are
some OF the most important thoughts
v hich consideration of our atiairs forces
1pon my mind. [ have uttered them
with no other desire than to benefit the
,ity, which has SO signally honored me,
hat it may march forward in the line
If progress and improvement in which
1 should be found. Its futuTs may
argely depend on our work this year.
Hay IL ee our proud privilege hereafter
% point to our iabors during the ipcom.
ny year as prominent stone in the
idifce OF municipal improvement and ad-
which each succeeding gener-
tion Is helping to erect-a structure of |
municipal greatness that, under Divine
)roNidence. will be an honor to ia and |