The record-union., 1897-09-05
ONE DOLLAR NINETY-TWO.
TRUSTEES FIXED THE TAX
LEVY LAST NIGHT.
Proclamation Ordered Prepared to
Submit to the People $12o,Ooo
Sewer Propositions

last night the matter OF the LAX
levy was taken up and the report OF
the Board of Estimates was read as
published in a former issue. 1t calls
for the amount Of $304, $50 TO be raised
Devine said that for the latter part
of the year for two years past there mas
always been a shortage of funds. IL
q few thousand dollars more a year be
raised for sewers and applied each
year, the city would soon have a sew
er system without going into debt. he
believed In levying a direct tax on the
people for the sewer instead of paying
interest on $1650OO and paying each
year into the sinking fund for forty
years.
Tozer said Devine talked about inter
est as if the use Of money was worth
nothing. The use Of money that would
be paid out in taxes by business men
would be worth to 8 per cent to
them, while the money could be bor-
rowed on good bonds at or 412 per
cent. He considered a direct tax ar
outrage on the people.
Corporation Counsel Johnson made
plea for the construction of the TWen-
ty-fifth-street sewer, which he believed
would cost about $4,000 and would
be an immense benefit to the eastern
part of the city. He spoke Of it, as Mr..
Bentley, who had expected to bring up
the subject when the tax levy was
made was not present.
George Murray estimated that the
enty-fifth-street sewer would cost
about $1,000.
Assistant Surveyor Phinney ex-
planned how under the system contem-
plated the extension of the sewers in
that part of the city would be made.
Whatever work is done, ne said, should
be permanent work, and should be
done with a view Of drainage.
Mr.. Cody said the estimate of $llOO0
would not pay the necessary running
expenses and repairs to the sewers al
ready existing.
Pennish said the Library Trustees
We're getting too high toned, as they
ask for $12 900. He thought $4,000
would be ample.
Tozer said that, to do all that was
wanted, 2 cents would not be enough,
and that , 20 would be needed and he
favored raising it. To raise it by is
suing bonds and let future generations
pay for it, is the proper way to build
the sewers and he favored issuing
them.
Davis also favored the issuing of
bonds, but Devine opposed it.
In relation to the library, Devine said
he favored letting the amount rest at
$S,000 although he knew it needed
more room, and should be able to buy
v,1a aF I1n nIf
ones that are worn out.
Mckay thought half the Librarians
should be cut off, as the library could
get along with less, but Devine said
that he saw considerable of the library
and knew that all the Assistant Libra
rians are needed to do the work.
Kent said he had asked the Chief En-
gineer to present the needs of the Fire
Department for a chemical engine and
other improvements, and he was here.
Leonard said the board should stick
to the sewer proposition. He did not
think that the proposition of building a
sewer system by direct taxation was
worthy of a moments attention. The
people of the eastern part of the city
should certainly vote for the bonds and
the people who have already been help
ed by the S-street sewer should vote to
help them. The city is growing and
the board should give the people what
they are asking for and build sewers.
A long argument ensued. Devine in
sisting that by his plans the system
could be completed in five years and
not pay interest for thirty-fve years
longer.
Kent moved that it is the sense of the
board that the Corporation Counsel be
requested to draw up proclamation to
submit to the people the proposition
of voting a direct tax or bonds to the
amount of $4,000 for completing the
S-street sewer from Seventeenth TO
Twenty-fifth and three mains north.
Tozer moved to amend by submitting
the proposition of bonds for a suffi-
cient amount to complete the sewer
system.
Devine moved a substitute submit
ting to the people the alternative of
assessing themselves $4,000 a year
for six years or issuing bonds for $120,-
900.
The substitute was adopted unani-
mously.
FOR A WHARF.
Tozer proposed to add TO the esti-
mate . cents for the sewer fund and
cents for the levee fund for the wharf,
etc.
Leonard said he had favored at first
putting up a warehouse and elevator
on the wharf, but did not now think it
was worth while to go TO so much ex-
pense in order to accommodate one or
two little steamers coming up the riv-
er. A crane could be put up to han
die the heavy freight.
Tozer said there were several steam
ers that go up the river that complain
and the lumber men say that if there
We're facilities they could unload their
lumber there cheaper and pay wharf
age.
Devine said If this would encourage
commerce he would favor spending the
money necessary to do so, in order to
accommodate such vessels as would
come to the city.
The report of Superintendent of
Streets Croly was read, estimating the
cost OF a 200-foot wharf and elevator at
$4,000, and Tozer moved that the es-
innate for the levee fund be raised from
one cent to seven.
Leonard favored giving more mod
erately and raising it three cents. Kent
moved to make the raise four cents and
Leonard accepted the amendment.
Devine said if the wharf would be-
come a source of revenue he would
vote for Tozer's proposition. He be-
lieved in building good wharf.
Kent's amendment was lost and
Tozer'S motion suffered a like fata