The evening herald. [volume] (Shenandoah, Pa.) 1891-1966, 1899-09-08

Mr.. Straughn read the following communi-
cation, while financial affairs were under
discussion
CHARLES T. STRAUGHN, ESQ,
Finance Committee,
Shenandoah, Pa.
DEAR SIR In reply to your commuui-
cation concerning the state Of finances Of the
Borough Of Shenandoah. which was sent IN
answer to my request for such information,
beg TO say that It seems apparent that there
is no balance lelt for which the cost Of the
permanent improvements now being made in
paving some streets of your borough can be
met.
THE total bonded debt is now over $3.50, 600
The valuation of the borough for 1899 is
g., 42s, 457 on which, even with the consent Of
the people, only z per cent Of this amount
can be legally made, or fl6g 99l 90.
In addition to the above funded debt you
have temporary loan existing of some So.
500, and probably the Mrs. Haley judgment
Of 81, 900. You therefore are nearly your
constitutional limit and, even by issuing
bonds, this work would exceed your rights.
But we have been told that this is to be
built out of the current funds of the borough.
Your statement shows resources of S07, 730. 81
and estimated expenditures Of the same
amount, of which only a, 500 is devoted to
street purposes. In this revenue you have
not only estimated the amounts due from
taxes on former years, but also taxes for this
year. Therefore there is no money left un-
appropriated
1T has been suggested that you intend to
pay for these improvements by raising tenn
porary loans based on balance due by Col
leetor Scanlan. AS this amount is in litga-
ton and cannot be received this year, you are
likely to have these temporary loans out
standing at the end Of the year and this ex-
ceeds your limit of Indebtedness, thus max
ing Council liable for such action.
1T has been held in Schuylkill county
that temporary loan may be made to an
ticipate the taxes for the current year, but it
is distinctly held that it must be only in such
amount as can be redeemed during the year
out of the incoming taxes.
I'VE feel that you will be running a great
risk in negotiating such loans, for it is evil
dent that they cannot be paid this year, as
you have already this year redeemed over
$4,000 of such loans outstanding for last year.
I'VE fully believe in such permanent i'm
prOvements as paving of streets, but they
should be made only with funds available, or
by bonded indebtedness. In this case IL
seems you cannot borrow on bonds and will
not be able to pay out OF current funds.
We write this to caution you in involving
the borough into such expense as cannot be
| legally met.
yours very truly,
"WM. L. SHEAFER,
For Associated Taxpayers of Shenandoah -
On motion of Mr. Tracey, it was decided
that the communication be placed in the
hands of Borough Solicitor Burke by the Fin
ance Committee. to get his opinion on it for
submission at the next meeting
| Mr.. Straughn asked to be relieved from the
Finance Committee, as he cannot give it the
attention he would like, and do justice to his
own business. Chairman Mcclure requested
Mr. Straughn to continue en- the COMMITTEES
pending reflection on the matter.
On motion of Mr.. Neiswenter it was de
cided that the East Centre street paving
work be suspended pending the receipt of the
Borough Solicitors opinion on the Taxpayers
| letter
The lamp and watch committee. through
Mr.. James, submitted the following report
Your committee, under instructions, in
yestigated the rumOrs relative to the case OF
the Commonwealth VS.. Pauline and
| find as follows That the prosecution against
Pauline ----- was brought by --
and the warrants were issued by NJ. OHaa,
accompanied by Chief Murphy and Patrol
man Mullahy. That the Justice informed
Chief of Police Murphy that there was not
sufficient evidence to hold the defendants
That Chief of Police Murphy had five wit
nesses who were willing to swear that the
defendant maintained a bawdy house, but, fol-
| some unknown reason, the case was settled
upon the advice of the Borough Solicitor, but
the Chief admits that he failed to advise the
solicitor that he had the five witnesses before
mentioned. That the sum of over $40 was
collected from the defendants, in violation OF
law, as the Justice had stated that he had
not sufficient evidence to hold the defendants
That the investigation shows that only three
Of the officers, viz: Chief Murphy, Patrol.
men Mullahey and Heaton received witness
fees in said case. That Chief Murphy swore out
a warrant against the parties arrested by NJ
| O'Hara, charging them with fornication, and
the same officers, as mentioned previously
received witness fees in the case as shown
by the records. This case was also settled by
defendants paying the costs, though the
Justice alleged that he had not sufficient
evidence to hold the defendants The record
shows that NJ. O'Hara received something
over 500, in settlement of the case, but thi.
bill was not itsmized and, there
fore, your committee is unable to say
for whom, or for what purpose, this
amount was charged. That the bill of costs
on its face, is illegal, even if there was suffi
cient evidence to hold defendants, as the Law
requires all bills of costs to be temized. But
as the Justice alleges that there was no
sufficient evidence to hold the defendants
then the collection of the whole bill of cost
from the defendants was clearly illegal, ant
without warrant of law.
ID. R. JAMES"
On motion of Mr.. Tracey it was decided
that the paid police, if they arrest any person
in house of i'll fame, or any other sucl
place, must not settle the case without con
sulting the lamp and watch committee il
continuation with Ia horo1 oh co1icffor