The news & observer. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1894-current, 1901-08-18

To the Editor So far as my knowl
edge extends all permanent improve
ments in cities are made by the issuing
of bonds. 1t is the only way to generally
distribute the burden and carry i
through number of years. Direct taxa
ton would be hardship and unjust.
The question we should ask ourselves
is this: Has the city been benefited by
/ its former bond issues? Going back
from the beginning and impartially and
fairly deciding the matter can anybody
deny that there has been great advance
ment in the directions for which bonds
were issued? Even Metropolitan Hall and
], the market, although costing at the time
much more than it should have cost. has
been blessing to us. There are few
cities the equal of Raleigh in every re-
@spert
/ am informed by those who ought to
know that property with rare exceptions
has enhanced in value over IS per cent
along our improved streets. And that the
lirecent assessment of property shows an
Increase Of nearly million dollars. This
too, when property costing from $4,000 to
$4,000 is assessed at $4,000, and property
costing $4,000 is assessed at $4,000 and
so on.
| do not complain of this low assess
ment, be it understood. but gentlemen
who are talking SO much about high
taxes should remember the low assessed
valuations.
1t would be exceedingly unwise it seems
to me, as a business proposition to start
the work and leave it in it's present I'M
finished condition. II it was right TO
vote for the last bond issue it is doubly
so now. And l have no sympathy with
the effort of some Of our people in their
persistency in asking questions that are
answered by the books of the city, so
Tar as receipts and disbursements are
concerned; or with those questions which
the board have no business answering
for instance, where are you going to
spend this $4,000 if you get it?'' and
will you promise us that you will never
ask for another bond issue?" Really,
these questions seem ridiculous to me-
/ learn from the city books that about
$4,000 of the last bond issue was spent
in getting ready for our street work.
1t was but natural that the aldermen
should think that the good work would
so on to a decent and somewhat equita-
bic finish at least. Our streets had to
be graded and curbed and then guttered
before they could be macadamized This
work they say is more expensive than
the macadam.
We have issued $150.00O lin bonds for
street improvements. l see it claimed
that the property owners have paid as
much more, but the books show they have
paid $1299S.73 as their part for the mac
adam, since the year 1886 | was sur
prised 70 find it had cost the property
owners so little
Many miles of streets have been graded
curbed and guttered. Go along these
streets and almost without an exception
you will find vacant property being built
up, old property being remodeled and in
several sections whole blocks of new
houses built. Seventeen large. nice
houses have been built on North Will
mington street alone-over $4,000 in tax
able property, and an annual revenue to
theBcity of about 500 from an expenditure
Of about $4,000. The same is true of
other streets.
The bonded Indebtedness of Raleigh is
$4,000 after deducting amount in sink