The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1899-09-02

est speakers we must have a hall in
which they can speak. The city hall
VIII be non-sectarian and non-pohtical-
1t will be for Republicans, PopuliStS,
Democrats, ProhibitiOniStS, ReSubmiS-
sionists and Modocs.
I'VE have been hearing considerable
about excessive taxation. Just to see
how much it costs to run the city of
Iopeka as compared with other cities
l looked UP a few figures on the sub
1ect- The government made investiga-
lions along this line and I took the fig
ures from the ones published in its re-
port. find that it costs st. Paul $39.07
Tor each man, woman and child in the
city to run the city government; its
costs Boston S32.63; New York, $24.06;
Buffalo, $23.41; Los Angeles, $29; Balti-
more, $14.O2; Chicago, $780, No figures
were given for Topeka but looked
them up for myself and found that it
costs Topeka Sc. O6. St. Paul pays 61h
times as much as Topeka, and yet it is
argued that we can not assume enough
additional indebtedness to build a city
nal- believe the affairs of the city
during its existence have been as hon.
orably, honestly and economically adj
ministered as any city in this union
From 1851 to 1865 we carried on a
great war for the purpose of maintain
ing the unity of this government. Since
then there has been no north, no south,
no east, no west. Sectionalism in a city
is just as baneful as in national affairs
Every citizen ought to close his eyes
to the fact that a river runs through
this city and vote for the best interests
OF the whole city. The interests of the
First ward are Identical with those of
the Fourth. Parlxdale and Potwin are
united in common interests.
There are nearly 5000 voters now
registered, and there ought to be from
proposition. Assuming that it takes a
tWo-thlrdS majority to carry it, there
is no doubt as to the result if there are
5000 votes cast. I don't believe there
r1r~ l., - 4
vote against the interests of their city.
1t deVolves on the patriotic and loyal
people to see that a good vote is cast
when election day comes, and the result
will then be all right
Judge Garver's subject was the
bonded Indebtedness of the city and
the additional levy that will be neces-
sary to build the city hall, but he also
took occasion to answer some of the al
legged arguments that are advanced by
the opponents of progress.
1T appears that the intelligent por-
ton of the opposition agree that To-
peka needs an auditorium, but they are
fighting the erection of this one with
the city hall. They do not offer any
solution or any better plan, but simply
oppose that which is offered. They do
not say anything about putting their
hands into their pockets and putting
up the money. They agree that the
city must advance the funds, but they
say the people have not been consulted
knows that this is the same proposition
that was submitted last spring and it
carried by a vote of three to one. 1t
would look as though the people had
been consulted and that they had
spoken their mind on the subject.
THE opposition says that Topeka is
Overburdened with taxes. Suppose this
is So it is better to be in debt than to
be dead. When our opposition friends
realize that they will stop kicking. ]
find that the bonded Indebtedness of the
city is 5000, 500. In addition to this there
are $4,000 outstanding improvements
bonds making a total of 1896, 600. Near
~ 500, 900 of this amount represents in
debtedneSS created by paving streets
and other improvements of that char
acter. Not more than One-fOurth OF
this amount falls on the city, but it is
borne by the property owners, whose
property is improved thereby, as am
myself realizing just now. The annual
interest on this amount is 81, 000 which
has to be raised each year. This is
less than 81 on each 81. 900 of taxable
property, so that a man who pays on a
valuation of $500 pays only 81 a year
while the man who pays on a valuation
of less than $1,000, which will include
the great majority of the people of To-
peka, pays less than 81 a year, or an
average days work.
1.-The opposition figures in the county
Indebtedness of 631. 900, and figures the
interest and all up to 21a millions.
am surprised at mOdeSty in the use OF
figures. Why don't they add the state
bonded indebtedness of $500. 900, and
then Topeka is a part of the United
States, so they might have added the
Indebtedness of 81, SOC, 900, 600 of the ma
tionaI government to their figures. II
shows that these people are having e
hard time to find an argument.
Topeka can say what few other
cities can say, and that is that it has
no floating debt. All of our indebted
ness is represented by these bonds
while nearly every other city has a lot
of outstanding scrip. The management
of the city affairs is one of which we
ought to be proud The levy for inter
est has been cut down from % LIS mills
in 1895. to 1914 mills now, and that toe