The record-union., 1898-06-19
REfUNDING THE CITY DEBT.
MAYORLAND BRINGS THE MAT
TER TO THE FRONT.
He and the City Trustees Discuss
the Subject, but No Ac-
ton Taken.

A special meeting of the Board Of
Trustees was held last night, there be-
ing present Trustees Mckay, Devine,
Dolan, Brown, Douglas, Paine and
Tebbets.
President Mckay called the meeting
10 order and stated the object to be
the discussion of the bond question. He
called on Mayor Land to address the
board.
Mayor Land suggested that mes
sage he had prepared for the board be
read, and the suggestion was adopted.
The message was in full as follows:
MAYOR LANDS POSITION.
To the Board of Trustees: The ques-
ton as to the best way of settling the
old bonded Indebtedness is a very i'm
portant one and will require your most
careful consideration. In the settle
ment of this question we have duty to
perform which involves the welfare Of
every man, woman and child in this
city, and the wisdom of the people who
intrusted us with the responsibility of
administering their affairs will be at
tested according to the result of our
management.
Last year the salaries of the officials
of the city We're behind for two months,
and, together with the election eXpens-
es, had to be carried over to the current
year. Under ordinary conditions this
would not embarrass a city as wealthy
and prosperous as Sacramento, but
number of circumstances combine to
make the situation burdensome, if not
distressing
The most important question which
We have to meet is the reduc
tion of taxation We cannot hope
that capital will invest in our city
until some change is made in the
direction of a lower tax rate. Con-
sidering the deficiencies carried Dvar
from last year. the inevitabl tax levy
TO meet the old bonded debt. and the
necessary expenses of running the city
government, l find that the tax rate
for the ensuing year will be SOS
The prospect of exacting so enormous
a tax from the people, especially under
the prevailing business depression, rails
es the question, How can a reduction
be effected?"
The answer readily suggests itself.
The old bonded indebtedness which for
more than a generation has hung over
the city, absorbing the greater portion
OF all our municipal revenues, must be
wiped out before we can hope for any
important reduction in taxation. On
! this il seems TO me that there can be
V no difference of opinion. after careful
and unprejudiced consideration. 1t can
be effected upon sound business prin-
ciples. Let us do just as though we
( We're private individuals doing private
I business.
The bondholders receive 81 per cent
of L per cent of the general fund, to-
+loo,- til
receipts of the water works licenses
and harbor dues. which proportion Of
the city's revenues is set apart to the
sinking and interest fund, and last year
amounted to the sum of $113,745.
This heavy drain upon the resources
Of the city has driven many to seek
other places for business and invest
ment While the poor property-oWner
has been forced to remain or lose his
all. Fires and floods We're primarily
responsible for the bonded debt. but
they supply no reason for its mainte-
nance any longer. 1t is a compliment
TO the taxpayer and resources Of Sac
ramento that they have endured this
heavy load so long.
We cannot reduce the apportionment
to the Street Department, as experience
has proven that the fund provided for
street work is already inadecuate
Long before the expiration OF each
year We are compelled to curtan the
outlay and neglect work that ought %
be done. Instead of cutting down the
street fund, we all know that it should
be increased
Il IS impossible TO find an opportunity
to reduce expenses in the Police De-
partment. Instead of fewer officers we
ought TO have more, ard the efficiency
OF the department would be improved
by police telegraph system. and at
least two detectives, but in our pres
ent condition, we are unable to provide
for them
While our Fire Department is as eff
cient as is possible with the limited
means provided for it's support its use
fu.ness could be materially improved
and the security of property against
fire increased if more money We're al
its command
For example, on last Tuesday night.
the value Of chemical engine pre-
sented itself at the fire in the premises
Of the Sacramento Glass and Crock
cry Company.
In the matter of salaries Of munich
pal officers, we are all aware that none
of them are extravagantly high in com
parlso1 with other cities, and no oppor-
tunity presents itself for reduction
here
There is not, as is well known any
field for economy in the School Depart
ment. The Health Department is also
handicapped i'm the administration of
Its ar1ars by a scarcity OF funds.
The making Of the contemplated pub
lie improvements at this time will
prove an important advantage to our
citizens. who feel the pinch of the de-
pressed business conditions. and 7 adj
vocate the principle of patronizing
home iEdustry-the money expended
Will be spent among our own people
i believe the time is at hand when