Santa Fe new Mexican. [volume] (Santa Fe, N.M.) 1898-1951, 1899-02-24
A VIGOROUS PROTEST
City Council Of Albuquerque Passed
Resolutions Protesting Against
G. B. No. 70.
LIMITS CITlESO OF FIRST GLASS
Five Mill Levy Will Not Raise Revenue
Sufficient to Pay Current Expenses
Bill Amended to Permit
Special Taxes.

Hon. Y. A. Finical yesterday had G.
B. No. 70, which limits the power of
cities of the first class to make more
than a $ mill levy for the purpose of
providing the running expenses OF cities,
recalled and the following section was
added:
''Section 6. No city shall have
authority to levy a tax for city purposes
in excess of S mills on the dollar in any
fiscal year., but such limitation shall not
prohibit special tax levies as now pro-
vided by law to pay the interest on its
bonded indebtedness, to provide for
sinking funds in accordance with law,
and to pay fixed charges arising under
valid contracts entered into before the
enactment of this law although the said
special tax levies shall make the total
levy exceed 5 mills on the dollar
1t is evident that the above bill Gre
ated something of a kick on the part Of
the frst-class cities. The citizens of
Albuquerque were especially wrought
up over 1t and sent the following resolu-
ton to the council as the result of &C.
ton taken by the city council of the
place:
'Be it resolved by the city council of
the city of Albuquerque:
"Whereas this body is informed that
a bill has passed the council of the legis-
lative assembly reducing the limit of the
rate of taxation for city purposes, from
10.5 mills as at present to 5 mills exclu-
sive of interest. on outstanding bonds,
in cities of the tirst-claSs.
1--WE respectfully present the follow
ing facts for the consideration of the
legislature:
HDuring the past fiscal year the city
of Albuquerque has received from the
general tax levy of 10 mills for all city
purposes, exclusive of the special tax
levy of u mill for park purposes, the
sum of $50. 235, and from said special
park tax the sum Of s 1,012.
"That there is no reason to expect
that there will be any great increase of
taxable property in this city during the
present year.
"That in the year 1894, this city en-
tered into a contract with the Water
Supply company to pay said company
for the period of twenty years the sum
of $1,000, per annumf for water for city
purposes.
"That this city has now outstanding
bonds for 1888, 500, for the payment of
1888, 800 of which, we are required by
law as it now stands to levy a tax
sufficient to pay one tenth thereof in
each fiscal year, or the sum of $3.350
each year.
"That the city now has a contract
with the Electric Light company under
which we are obligated to pay 81, $40,
annually fer seven years for lighting
the city.
THAT we have now a city park which
requires for it's maintainance at least
the sum of $500 per year.
"That the city has now a public
library which receives from taxation
about 5000 per annum.
THAT the police force of the city,
which is as small as it can possibly be
if order is to be maintained, costs the
city So, 800 annually,
"That the city pays for the rent of
the city hail and three hose houses the
sum Of 81, 800 per year.
"That during the past year, the sup
preston of small pox within its limits
has cost the city in the neighborhood Of
$4,000.
THAT we maintain an electric fire
alarm system, which together with the
necessary appliances for the volunteer
fire department, requires an expenditure
of at least 81 ,O0O..
''That the streets of the city need
constant attention, both for repairs and
to sprinkle the same, and the least that
can be expended upon them to keep
them in passable condition is 81 900 per
mum.
"That our city officers, being city
clerk, city attorney, city treasurer and
city physician receive salaries which are
as small now as they can be made, as
follows: City clerk, $500 per annum;
city attorney, $500 per annum; city treas
urer, 5000 per annum; city physician,
$500 per annum.
"That the police judge receives a
salary of $3.50 per annum.
"That the feeding of prisoners in the
city jail costs the city about $500 per
annum
"That it costs the city each year at
least the sum of $500 for looking after
the city's poor.
"That all of the foregoing expendi-
lures are absolutely necessary to the
welfare of the city.
"Tliat these expenditures amount to
about $21, 800 per annum and are ex-