The record-union., 1899-09-14
THAT TEMPORARY SUMP.
LOOKS DOUBTFUL IF 1T WILL
BE CONSTRUCTED.
A Caustic Message From the Mayor
and Torrid Debate by the
Trustees.

At the meeting of the City Board or
Trustees on Monday evening last, Il. 1.
Hatfield, attorney for Contractor Cum
ningham, raised the point that under
the City Charter all work done on
sewers had to be paid out of the sewer
fund and that as that fund nad peen
exhausted, his client would not undef-
take to carry out his contract TO con-
struct temporary sump at Front ana
S streets unless the fund was replenlsh-
ed so as to insure payment Tor the
work.
A motion was made that $4,000 (the
contract price for the sump) be trans
ferred from the general to the sewer
fund, and a debate ensued, first as to
the advisability of depicting the general
fund by making such transfer, and
second. as to whether the board had a
legal right to make such transfer.
On the latter point the board showed
an inclination to shift the responsibility
by referring the matter to Mayor Land,
adding, as an afterthought, Corporation
Counsel Devine. So it happened that
when the board adjourned it did so un-
til last night, to receive the Mayor $
message.
At the adjourned meeting last night
Trustees Bentley, Brown and Kent
were absent, leaving but bare work
ing majority, but the Mayors message,
which was decidedly unsatisfactory in
sofar as it assumed the responsibility
Of the proposed transfer of money, was
read, just the same. It follows in full.
To the Board of Trustees: Referring to
the question of funds wherewith to defray
the expense incident to the erection of the
proposed temporary stump, ascertain from
the City Auditor that on the 9Th instant
the general fund contained in round num-
bers the sum of $14 673, from which must
be deducted the amount OF bills allowed
10y your board on the 18th instant, to wit:
S4,167, leaving at the present date in the
general fund the sum of $10,506.
1t Is estimated by the Auditor that the
general fund Will receive from various
sources during the remainder of the year,
the sum of $29, ,656; it, therefore, may be
safely calculated that we will have in
the general fund for use between this date
and the end Of the present year, the sum
of $40,162.
It is estimated that the following
amounts will have to be disbursed during
the remainder of the year for the fol-
lowing purposes:
Lighting ........................... $40 0SV
Soa! e'9o93 e'9o9
Sprinkl1ng =. ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS. 4,UUO
Water Committee ..................... 1000
Total ...........................s28, 81, $50
There would then remain a balance of
$14,0S2 in the general fund with which
to pay the salaries of. the city officials.
expenses Of the coming primary and gem
eral elections, and the ordinary incidental
expenses of the city.
The only method by which the cost Of
the temporary sump can be provided for,
is to transfer from the general fund TO
the sewer fund the sum of $lo,000 the con-
tract price, thereof. OF course, this. will
virtually bankrupt the general fund,
leaving in 1t at present, If the transfer be
made, but the sum of $500, too small a
sum to be left therein.
have repeatedly admon1Shed your hon
orable board to be economical in the dis
bursement of the city finances, and had
you Needed my admonitions, the finances
of the city would not be in the condition
that they are now in. The matter OF
transferring funds from the general fund
to any particular fund for the purpose of
providing for any particular expense Incl
dent TO the government Of the city is
purely a matter which belongs to your
honorable board as the local legislative
body. and il is for you to determine at
this time whether it is advisable under all
and proceed with the contemplated work.
The question as TO whether or not the
contract for the erection Of the temporary
stump at the price referred to viii meet
sidered and disposed of when the con-
tract comes properly before me- In this
connection, however. / desire to say, that
at the time recommended the erection of
cost thereof prepared by City Engineer
AIullenney was but the sum of $1,000,
whereas you have accepted bid for
the sum Of $4,000, being $1,000 in excess of
the City Surveyors estimate.
/ believe the erection of a temporary
Eump commensurate with the needs of the
people and the present condition of our
finances to be necessity but do not