Perrysburg journal. (Perrysburg, Wood Co., O. [Ohio]) 186?-1965, 1899-04-29
THE BRIGHT SIDE.
EDITOR JOURNAL:

all our public enterprises have been
disastrous. entailing only an unbearable
debt and proving our incapacity for
self-government. This is the gloomy
side. There is a better presentation.
In the beginning OF 1894, when the
village debt seemed bar to progress
and the determination was taken to be
rid OF it, the six per cent. bonded debt
OF the village was S35, 800, exclusive OF
library and schools, Today 1t is $16, 1000
assuming the So, 900 realized from sale
of factory will be applied on the debt
as the outgoing council lntended).
There Is left besides only S5,500, re
funded at "A per cent, and scarcely an
appreciable bnrden.
The annual interest charge in 1894
was 5000, or about 10 mills on the
valuation; it should be now only ST..
$50, or 81 mills on the valuation.
The significance OF these facts are
better understood when considered in
connection with the annual tax levies,
which for the last four years average
only l54 mills, much less than usually
prevail here or elsewhere.
On May %, 1889, S4,4l46l interest
had accrued against the corporation tif
the records are understood) in favor OF
the library board, against which two
small payments had been made
1888 25 In 1886 and 1856. S5 In 1887. This
obligation was increasing as .debt at
the rate of 5000 yearly, besides the
$500 TO $40O levied for expense ac-
count.
The board has since adjusted these
matters In strict accord with the re.
cords governing and the obligation is
now met regularly and fully, Not a
dollar is delinquent.
In 1896 the board of education effec-
ted necessary changes, beneficial spec
tally to pupils in the suburban district
by which expenses were cut down
81, 900 yearly, saving to date, ii in force,
$4,000, bringing expenses within the
revenues, the only time in six years,
and admitting OF further reduction
of the levy.
The five years. work of the boards
may be summed up as follows:
Village bonds paid and pro-
vided for ........ -.......Sl4 900 90
Saved by refunding measures
OF 1897 and lS9S......... ......... 1850 90
REIMBURSEMENT OF corporation
library account............... 1904 25
Saved to date by curtaillng
school expense (if changes
holdl........".................... 5000 90
1otal ......... .........."....S29,5 ,554 25
These figures include no part OF the
interest (sl6, ,6S9.S2) paid ON the public
debt, nor village quota OF school bonds
about 5000.
These measures have been effected
by the concurrence of every member in
each board with perhaps single ex-
ccption, and are only submitted be-
cause OF criticisms of the policy pur-
sued.
They have the appreciation OF all
good citizens.
The situation has been addressed
with firm and determined purpose,
and in presenting the facts from our
financial records, from time to time,
for the sole purpose of securing co-ope-
ration, no personal reference has ever
been made, the use of the nom-de-
plume and borrowing of signatures
being avoided as cowardly and cover
Ing mean purpose.
More than two years ago we we're
told by the opposition that 'our meas
ures were all right and in the peoples
interest, hut there was too much una
nimity in the boards!" Discord was
seated and the work of retrenchment
came to an end.
N. L. HANSON.