Omaha daily bee., 1899-12-07

!, SOUTH OMAHA NEWS. J

The showing made in The Bee a day or
two ago about the enormous debt OF the city
and the lack of sinking funds has caused
considerable comment Very few people
knew what the Indebtedness of the city a.,
and the figures presented are somewhat
startling. Since the publication OF the facts
and figures the talk of placing business men
in control is growing every day, and it may
be that steps may be taken to secure the
consent of men of ability - 3cept nomna-
tions in the spring. 1t is considered that the
chief executive officer OF the city is to blame
for great deal of the alleged mismanage-
ment, but even II this is so, he cannot be
blamed for the big pile of indebtedness Re
cause the bonds referred to were voted years
ago and are now maturing. All the munich
pal property is mortgaged up to the limit, or
nearly so, and 1t is a question whether bonds
for any project can be fioated at this time.
With business mans administration it is
thought that arrangements can be made with
bond buyers for the taking up of some of the
supposed worthless paving bonds and thus
place the city in a first class light again
with investors While the election of mu-
nicpal officers will not occur until April,
those interested in the welfare of the city
are casting about for good timber, but it is
hard to find men who will forsake business
for the small salaries paid by the munich
pality. The mayors Office pays only $500
year and it is the same with the treasurer.
To be sure the treasurer reaps a benefit from
the money on hand as he gets the interest
on idle funds. This interest makes up for
the lack in salary. With the mayor 1t Is
different, as he is not supposed to receive
any compensation aside from his salary.
There is considerable talk about Broadwell
holding two positions. On January l he
takes the position of clerk of the district
court, and it is reported here that he will
continue to hold the office OF city treasurer
until his term expires in April A great
many seem to think that Broadwel ought
to resign his office OF treasurer and allow
someone else to get chance at the pie, as
he has been elected to a much better office.
Talk about this has been going on for some
time, but 1t will remain with the council
whether Broadwell lets go or not. 1t is un-
derstood that the council can declare the
office vacant as soon as he is sworn in as
clerk of the district court. but whether this
will be done or not Is not known at present
When Hoctor was elected county commits
sioner he held on to the office OF city treas
urer until his term was out, but this was
because the council did not care to make an
appointment for a short term. Besides the
council was democratic. Now it is repub-
lican and the opportunity is open for the
republican members TO secure Goothold in
the treasurers office by declaring the Office
vacant and appointing some well known re-
publican II this is done the chances are
that the appointee can be elected in April.
There has been lot OF talk about this mat
ter, but the members of the council appear
to lack the backbone necessary to declare
The treasuryshp vacant and thus secure the
appointment OF a republican.