The Dalles daily chronicle. [volume] (The Dalles, Or.) 1890-1948, 1898-10-26
MAYoR "DousEs lie eLIM,"
Or EndeavOrs to DO So by Refusing His
Signature to the Light Ordinance.

The following document was fled with
the recorder this morning, to be pre-
sented to the city council at it's next
meeting. 1t will be seen by Il perusal of
its contents that the mayor vetoes the
ordinance adopted by the council at its
last meeting, which authorized the
mayor and recorder to enter into con-
tract with the electric light company
whereby cur streets might be lit with
arc lights.
This, however, does not end the ques-
ton, for it is to be hoped the council
will pass the ordinance over the mayors
veto, as it is not thought the objections
are of sufficient weight to deprive our
city of what seems to all to be a positive
necessity:
To the Councilmen of DaIles City:
Special Ordinance No. 315 is hereby
returned without approval. Among a
number of reasons are these two import
ant ones: : First, that the lights provided
Tor will not give satisfaction or do justice
to all PARTS of the city desiring light.
Second, that the finances of the city do
not justify 'the council in making the
contract.
10 any OuO ndklnS ndo OK pCIlCuCC III
the council during the operation of the
former contract, the first is demon
strated certainty and needs no argu-
ment. In regard to the second reason 1
| hold that the duty is imposed on the
council by our charter to set aside each
year sufficient sum to retire at their
maturity the $57 900 city bonds issued
in 1895, and if that duty we're not i'm
| posed by the charter the dictates OF COM
! mako rnnorafiUa that
such action be taken.
By statement compiled by the re-
| corder at the request of the com mittee
of the council, it was shown that for the
year ending May or June, 1898, the ex-
penses exceeded the revenue by about
$50; add to this $1,000 for a sinking fund
and the deficiency becomes serious. If
the contract authorized by this ordi-
nance be consnmmated it would become
operative about Dec. 1, 1898, at least four
months before any funds could be de-
rived from the extra tax authorized and
needed for another purpose. At that
time there would be about $4890 in the
general fund of the city. In four months
there would be ex pended $500 under this
contract. The amount of the sinking
fund should then be about $4,000, and
the same proportional deficiency as last
year would be 500 in four months, max
ing an actual liability of the city in
! April, 1899, OF about sou ABOVE It's cash
resources.
For the year succeeding that time you
have an estimated deficiency of $50; the
amount for the sinking fund, $1,000; the
amount called for by this contract, 1880
to offset which you would have the
amount to be realized in the twelve
months from the extra tax the SUM o
!, $l410, and the amount heretofore ex.
pended for coal oil lamps, which at $400
) the highest estimate for year. in yeal
and four months would be $535, making
an almost certain deficiency of ovel
$1,000 in April, 1900. And this woult
: only create for the council condition
not as satisfactory, as the present condi
, tion.
In my opinion the council will be do
ing an injustice to themselves and thei
successors if they make any contract fo
: arc lights until the right is granted tt
2 obtain an increased revenue of at leas
two mills. / believe arc lights are al
] ornament and advertisement much t.
be desired, but 1 also believe that th'