The news & observer. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1894-current, 1901-06-09
THE C|TY's FINANCES
Has Always Been One Year
Behind and Anticipated Taxes
Il VIII be Necessary to Increase Tax Rate.
Report TO The Aldermen by The
Stree I Committee.

The report of the Street Committee
I'VE call the Boards attention to the
condition of Salisbury street between
Lane and North streets. The Seaboard
Air Line tracks cross this street in sew
eral places, in fact Salisbury street at
this point is almost entirely occupied
by the tracks of the Seaboard System.
One side of the street between Jones
and Lane also being occupied by the
railroad. We think Salisbury street
between Lane and North, ought to be
paved with granite blocks, and we think
the work ought to be done at the eX-
pense of the railroad, as they occupy
the street as above stated. We re-
quested the railroad people to repair
this street once before and they did
so. but we do not believe that this
street can ever be kept in a good con-
dition until it is improved as above
indicated. We therefore recommend
that the City Clerk notify the railroad
authorities to repair Salisbury street
between Lane and North, and that it
is the desire of the Board that the
work be done in permanent manner
and that it be paved with granite
blocks.
"A good deal is being said at present
about the finances of our city. We re-
member six years ago, when our pres
ent system of street improvements was
started, the floating debt of the city was
then about 100000 and the city had
to borrow from the banks every week,
enough money to pay its weekly pay
rolls. The City Clerk came to us sew
eral times in dilemma to get us to
intercede with the City Treasurer in
order to get him to advance money to
pay the necessary current expense OF
the city, payrolls, salaries, etc. This
was before any bond issue was ever
voted upon for street improvements,
and before we had spent any money
upon our streets for permanent improve
ments. Every one who has been con.
nected with the City government for
the past fifteen or twenty years
knows that for sometime the city has
been one year behind in it's finances
and has been anticipating the taxes be-
fore they were collected. The only year
in many in which the city has not done
this. and has lived within it's income
was last year, and the city was enabled
to do this at the expense of the Street
priation of 5000 was not made to oul
Department last year. The appropria-
ton to our Department last year from
the General Fund was only $1,000, and
would not spend all of that. This en-
aled the city government to live within
it's income last year, which is the first
time in many years. 1t may be true that
our finances are in a bad condition
but they are in no worse condition now
in our opinion than they have been fol
many years in the past, and the pres
ent condition of the finances cannot be
attributed to the Street Department.
"Our rate of taxation is exceedingly
low. especially when the valuation OIL
property in our city is considered. One
Is almost struck speechesS when we
consider that less than a million and
a half in personal property is given in
for taxation in this city! The rate OF
taxation should be increased and we
understand that the Finance Commit
tee will so recommend at this session
of the Board, regardless of the bond s.
sue to be voted upon
I'm regard to the bond issue, we dc
not feel that We can say more than we
have already said to this Board and tC
the public through the papers. We felt
that it was our duty to state frankly
our position, as we think it would be
unwise to stop the work now. Having
done this we are content to let the
issue rest where it is. We shall fee
perfectly satisfied which ever way the
people of Raleigh may decide.
Respectfully submitted
JOHN C. DREWRY, Chm
IL b. PEGRAM.
sd & HAMILTON I"