The Seattle post-intelligencer. [volume] (Seattle, Wash. Terr. [Wash.]) 1888-1914, 1898-02-09

THE CITYrs FINANCIAL CONDITION
The report OF the city comptroller
upon the financial condition Of the city
ia the most satisfactory presentation
ever made to the taxpayers II is not
satisfactory alone In the method taken
To display the accounts. but in the evil
dence 1t affords that the efforts OF the
city government to carry out the ex-
pressed wishes OF the people have been
crowned with a most remarkable sue
cess
The people directed by their votes
that there should be no expense in
Cured which was not justified by the
condition OF the treasury. and that the
city should be preserved upon a cash
basis at all hazards. 1t was easy
enough to pass that resolution, but IT
was no easy task to take up the condi-
lions as they had been left at the close
OF the last reform administration,
and. while conducting the business
from day to day. remodel the system
so as TO bring the expenses within the
revenue. Following Immediately came
a period OF exceptional stringency,
during which barely 90 per cent. Of the
taxes were collected, and out of the
collections the full amount Of the In
terest had to be paid. Promptly at
every half year has that remittance
been made. and the entire expenses of
the administration have had to be met
out OF the small remaining funds. 1t
can well be believed that 1t was only
by the closest management and the
strictest economy that the obligations
OF the city were met and its credit
maintained"
Ie will be understood. too. that the
retrenchment which became necessary
was resisted at every point by those
subjected TO inconvenience In conse-
quenee. Sincere as the taxpayer was
I'm desiring economy 10 be practiced,
he did not want TO be deprived Of wa
ter, although II cost money to lay the
mains: he was unwilling that the re-
trenchment should include his street
light: he did not consider that his dis
trict should be left unguarded by POI
lice and against fire-he always want
ed the retrenchment made somewhere
else 1t became an anxious task with
the city government at times, when the
Withholding of privileges and improve
ments was not attributed to motives Of
economy. but to the absence OF spirit
OF accommodation.
The report of the comptroller should
be at least SKINNED over by every tax
payer. The fact that the city has been
able not only to pay current expenses.
but to wipe out the floating debt and to
reduce the bonded debt by $4,000 is the
main thing. The remainder OF the re-
port shows how this was done while
still keeping the expenses down.
The tax levy has steadily decreased
since the year 1898. In that year It was
sass, 1853: in 1894 II was sisl, $50: in 1895 II
was $3.50, 1857: in 1896 1t was $685., 1918. and
for 1897 1t was only s532.l or a reduc-
ton in the years taxes of $t56.s43. We
venture 10 say that the taxpayer who
deyotes very little attention to the gov
eminent Of the city had no conception
OF the economy that was being firmly
and steadily pursued. 1T Is impossible
that this low mark can be maintained.
As the city grows there will be a de-
mand for more lights and an extended
water supply. more police and an en-
larged fire department..
The praise 10 be accorded 10 the city
council-both the legislative and execu-
tive departments-is no, OF merely
perfunctory character. The results
show that even with some differences
OF opinion. the council has been level
headed when IL came To matter of
business. No candid man who looks
through these figures. knowing as he
must do. the difficulties TO be overcome.
can fall 20 admit that the city of Seat
tie IS very far from bang badly gov
ernei.