The times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1890-1903, 1902-03-09

and hardly a man left while he was
talking. The Mayor said;
MAYOR TAYLOR'S REMARKS.
Mr. President and Fellow Citizens:
L announce myself a candidate for re-
election TO the office of Mayor.
Once moro, and for the fifth time, ask
ing your support, I believe I can best
justify the confidence you have SO gem
crousIy placed in me by briefly comparing
the condition of the affairs OF our city at
the time when v.gu first put me III charge
of them. in 1891, With what it is to-day,
and with it rendering some account of
my stewardship.
On the I'd day of July, 1894, my honored
and able predecessor, the Honorable j.
Taylor Ellyson, surrendered the office to
me. Ny efforts have ever s.ncc been d :
rccted to the continued ic., OVEN, "a. OF
cur affairs, and the statements shall
make will substantidte the fact that II
steady advancement has ione on, unit:
to-day our condition is such as will merit
the approval of all who are interested in
the welfare of our city.
MANY IMPROVEMENTS.
During my administration large business
enterprises have been commenced and
steadily grown. Railroads have increased
their holdings. New depots and viaducts
have been erected. Trackase has been
furnished to our merchants. Business
facilities have increased. Banks have
multiplied, with enlarged banking capi-
tall All our people are busily employed.
Along with all this many public Improve
ments have been made. During all this
time the city has been well governed;
the rights of all have been secured to
them; order has been maintained; and we
have everywhere had the reputation of
being an exceptionally well-conducted
community.
AS Mayor, / have carefully watched this
steady growth of our city, and given my
earnest and hearty support to every stage
of its progress. The Council. through its
committees. has been kept advised of all
important matters, and no public duty has
been neglected.
TIE FLOATING DEBT.
When I was called to the mayoralty in
1891 T found the floating debt OF tie city
to be five hundred and twenty-nlne thous-
and, four hundred and twenty-five dollars
and twenty-four cents t$S2e.425.G0, aud
that the city paid to the banks for dis
count and interest in that year sixteen
thousand, three hundred and seventy-seV-
en- dollars and ifty-four cents <Sih.5ii3p.
In 1871 the entire floating debt had been
wiped out. and instead of the city paying
the banks interest and discount, tie banks
paid the city on daily balances two
thousand, eight hundred and forty-one
dollars and thirty-nile cents i$2, S41. so,
and the Auditor reported a Balance in
hank. after all debts had been paid. eX-
cept the bonded debt. not yet due, OF one
hundred and cighty-siS thousand. nine
hundred and twenty-fonr dollars and
ninety-two5 cents ts1S6,924 92).
The bonded debt in 1894 was seven mil
lion, three thousand. one hundred and
cighty-two dollars G1,G0s1s2). while in 1872
= INN. 7rcI M
twcrty-seven thousand. five hundred and
eighty-two dollars and sixty cents G7,2.1.-
5S2. 500. showing an increase to the bonded
indebtedness of two hundred and twenty
four thousand four hundred dollars and
sixty cents (S224,4cD.6o1. But the taxable
values in 1891 We're siNty-tlve million. nine
hundred and twenty-four thousand. FIVE
hundred and forty-two dollars t$S5, 542l.
while in 1902 they are seventy-four million.
three hundred and ffty-eisht thousand
and eleven dollars s74.sss,oln, an increase
of eight million, four hundred and thirty
three thousand. four hundred and sixty
nine dollars tsS, i3S 4sD, and this nctwitll-
standing the assessement5in 1900 reduced
the values three million & collars $4,000 GOD.
Thus You will see that the imsroved
condition in taxable values abundantly
Justified the slight increase in the bonded
Indebtedness. Moreover, il circumstances
required us TO pay our debt at once. we
have the means. with our gas works,
water works. public buildings and parks
and valuable franchises to do it.
CONDITION OF SINKING FUND.
In 1871 the Sinking FGnd had only
six thousand. six hundred and siNty-two
dollars arsa four cents tsS6s2. 0.1. while
in 1a1e j. has six hundred thousand. five
hundred and .ifts dollars and eleven
cents tssae. $50 4 u - owing an increase of
firs -hnndrda and ninety-thrcc thousand.
eight hundred and eisht3-eight dollars
and seven cents ls5aass, SIS .pD .y This fund