Alexandria gazette. [volume] (Alexandria, D.C.) 1834-1974, 1899-06-28


atoms OF the Aldermen during the
term now closing.
Mr.. MarbuIy expressed his apprecia-
ton OF the confidence thus expressed.
On motion of Mr.. Havener the thanks
of the beard were also extended to Mr..
R. E. Knight, the clerk, after which
the board adjourned sine die.
COMMON COUNCIL.
The last meeting of the Common
Council which was organized July 1,
1897, was called to order last night al
SIS, most of the councilmen being in the
committee room, but they soon took
their seats.
The finance committee submitted
their annual report and Mr.. Uhler made
the following statement in relation
thereto
Mr.. President and gentlemen of the
Common Council of AleXandria-As l.,
with others, have betn charged with
the proper administration Of the fiscal
affairs of our corporation, and speaking
for the finance committee, have for
several years past made notes of how
we expected to raise money, from what
sources, &c. stated last year that in
the year previous it was estimated that
we would receive from taxes, rents,
licenge, &c., $102, 733. We did receive
sos, 052-a very slight difference where
ems of thousands of dollars are taken
into consideration. When one care
fully examines the Auditors statement,
which l present tonight, the close esti'
mate of receipts for the year 1S98-99 is
obvious. This statementin its addition
makes the sum total of receipts S123,
433 %; if we deduct 50, 953 "A the cash
balance to the credit of the gen.
eral fund June l, 1898, and So, 1850,
the net proceeds of temporary
loans, we have left $l10, 4312S, or
S1,729,47 more than the estimated re-
ceipts were placed at $10S,90l, 81. II is
not to be understood that every esti-
mate was just as placed CD paper; this
$1,729.47 is made up from what we had
no way of knowing would be received
prior to the time it passed into the
treasury. To Observation-Disclosures from
sewer taps 1888 so, surveys 500, street
openings $72, sale of street material
1855 05 and electric light $500, a total oil
81, 365 IS, and while these items served
to increase receipt they also increased
disbursements. Of course the receipts
from taxes form a considerable portion
of our revenues. We estimated from
taxes $S4, 100, received $50, 1929; from
gas works, $4,000, received IS, 900; from
Mayors licenses $l2, 800, received $l2,-
SOL 20, having received about 81 500
more from taxes, licenses, fines. &C..
than expected. $1,000 was not taken
from the gas fund and We had just
S454 SO to credit OF general fund on
Jnne l, 1899, and this, Notwithstanding,
some gentlemen imagined that large
sum would be paid out on interest il
the difference between 3 and 81 per
cent, which difference would have
saved the city just 81 25, the loan being
for $4,000 only and $4,000 of that for
only twenty days. So much for receipts.
said last year that the appropriation
bill carried expenditures of S2,400 in
excess of estimated revinues, and that
money can be expended much easier
than collected is fact as we'll known
to one person as another. A referenc,
TO the appropriation bill of last year
shows Sill, 0SS 76. Take from that
amount the last item, S3,08S 70, which,
while it mas really been used on the
:streets, we will say it has not, and
Sl0S 600 remains. Now there ia a dit
ference of S14 ,97S. 26between the amount
expended and appropriated. If we
take the appropriation bill and make
comparison with the expenditures a.
given in the auditors statemen'
it will be found that Their
was less expended on following
accounts-Salaries, S165, police S125.45
public debt 1904 35, courts and jail
IS Sc, law expenses S225.67, chain gang
S2OO14, coroner's perquisites S139,
public property 81 26, printing S3l.25,
ditching $40 2S, pumps 50 Sc; total OF
S1,S48 So II we add this last named
sum to S14 ,97S.26 we have $16,S2676,
which should represent extra appro-
priations and other charges. We will
start with smallpox cases, $8,360.03;
electric light, 1889 SS; elections, Sl02 %;
poor, 81 400 %; fire department., $685.
95; plugs, Sl3S 30; City Council, S247,.
20: taxes refunded, $44S SO; Mayors IL
censes, $262.59; sewer tax refunded,
SIS; streets and sewers, 81, 412 II; max
ing total of 1926 76. The cost OF
operating electric light for labor and
material alone amounts to S6,022, equal
TO $66 for each lamp in use, on partly
moonlight schedule. That it costs
more to clean streets and will continue
10 cost more is certain, for during the
months of May and June, 1897, it cost
S562.5O; in 1898, SS1S.SS, and in 1899
| 1858 IS. 1t cost double as much to
clean our streets during the year just
ended as it did in 1889 80. 1t will cost
| one-6fth more during the year which
We now enter. There is no doubt thai
the appropriations will always be as
large as now and possibly will grow in
amount each year and in consequence
new subjects for taxation will have to
be hunted up or the rate increased
The last note due on the purchase OF
the electric plant will be paid this year.
Whether or not the works and circuit
are in good condition is for others to
determine without comment from me.
Mr.. Greene-Wbat is the financial
condition of the city at the end of the
year?
Mr., Uhler-S450 in the treasury and
a S10,0 900 note due in bank.
Mr.. Greene-Is that worse than here