The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1902-01-15

knows that the city has been running
behind and each one of the aldermen is
doubtless cudgling his brains for way
out
If Mayor Hughes has not worried
himself about these things he has been
the only one in the city administration
who has not felt the embarrassment.
The State Journal can easily see now
little cause for worry there has been for
Col. Hughes if he has proceeded on the
theory, as exDounded in the Capital,
that a surplus fund has been accumu-
lating and that soon the city will be
embarrassed by having more money
than it knows what to do with.
In the banks of the city of Topeka
are today, or were this morning, un-
paid warrants for the salaries of city
officials and EMPLOYEES for several
months, Mayor Hughes should have
secured a certificate of ability by so adj
ministering the affairs as to hold down
expenses, pay back salaries and keep
within the income. His shortcomings
are not excused by the abuse of one
newspaper by another.
Col. Hughes says this morning that
''the county owes us between $4,000 and
$4,000 on taxes they bought in Septem-
Der, 1900, and 1901" Upon being asked
by Mayor Parker about this statement,
County Treasurer Phillips said: "There
is nothing like this sum of money due
the city and 1 have told Col Hughes of
his erroneous impression on this score.
Mayor Parker learns that at the most
there is not exceeding $1,000 coming to
the city instead of $4,000 or $4,000 and
furthermore that of this $4,000 a large
amount may never be paid and small
amounts will come in from time to time
extending over long period for the
reason that nearly all of the valuable
property sold for taxes has been re-
deemed and much of what remains may
not be redeemed for years and the city
cannot get this money until it is paid
in.
The State Journal did not say that
the city was bankrupt, but that the
new mayor faces a bankrupt city treas
ury. There is money to run the city
for two months when there should be
money for six months, as the taxes Will
not come in again till July.
But the city will pay it's way. 1t has
large resources and it only needs capa-
Bile management of it's affairs. Mayor
Parker is q man of large business eX-
perience and with a reputation of sue
cesSfu1 manag cement of affairs. Unless
the public is disappointed by the prom
ises Mayor Parker's past career put
forward, the new mayor will take hold
of the city's business and manage it
wisely and well. He can do this. too,
without violating his oath or pursuing
any illegal methods such as the hcens-
ing of what the law prohibits.
The new mayor has a hard problem
to face. The revenues are not equal to
the expenses. This is a plain fact, no
matter how figures may be juggled by
disappointed office holders, and dis
gruntled newspapers, to show that there
is a surplus of receipts over the outgo.
The city always has more cash on hand
in January than it does in April for the
reason that at this time it receives its
share of the December taxes. This
money, however, must be used to cover
the current expenses of the city until
the next large amount is received from
the county in midsummer.
County Treasurer Philips tells Mr..
Parker that the amount now drawn
by the city is larger by several thou
sand dollars than it's usual share at this
time The Capital quotes City Attorney
Spencer as saying that it is untrue that
$4,000 more than usual has been spent
upon the legal department and that the
money would probably not be expended
in less than five years. The State Jour
nal simply stated that $1,000 had been
contracted for by the Hughes admin
istration for waterworks legal fees. 1t
did not say the attorneys had been paid
in advance. Mr.. Spencer states that
this money has been set aside for this
purpose 1t is an obligation of the city.
It is news also if this waterworks liti-
cation is to be dragged along for five
years when the company's franchise
will expire next September.
1t is better to look the facts in the
face. The city will be obliged to econ
omise and retrench. 1t was a mistake
to increase salaries in the face of a
problems are before the city for solu-
ton. Mayor Parker and every member
of the council realize this even if Col
HougheS and the Topeka Capital do
not. The mayor and the council should
be encouraged to put forth their best
efforts. Topeka is good and healthy
city, financially and otherwise, and Il
did not become a diSreputable place fun
hours after Col. Hughes left the may
or's office, although the readers of our
morning contemporary might have been
led to this belief from its first issue af-
Al.