Santa Fe new Mexican. [volume] (Santa Fe, N.M.) 1898-1951, 1902-12-15
The Interest on a $4,000 Bond
Issue for New Public School
Buildings Could Be Paid Out
of Current Revenues.
AN INCREASE IN ASSESSED VALUATION
AND A CLOSER COLLECTION or TAXES

| tereSt on $4,000 worth OF bonds bearing
per cent interest The total receipts
from all sources of the city schools dur
ing 1901 were $7,6S2.73. During 1900
the total expenditures for the school!
of this city We're $6,225.
The receipts thus far this year have
been $S,251 .46; or the eleven months
receipts of this year exceed those fol-
the entire year of 1901 by s56S73. There
| is every reason to believe that the nat
ural increase in receipts will be suffi-
| Gent to meet the expenses and the IN
terest, without increasing the rate of
| taxation. There has been an increase
| of 20 per cent in the taxable valuation
| in Santa Fe which will produce pro-
portionate increase in the receipts. The
| collection of taxes has improved from
year to year, as two years ago but 55
per cent of the taxes We're collected,
while last year 6S per cent was brought
in. This year it is probable the per
cent collected will be at least 70. The
collection of poll tax has been very i'm
collection, the revenue from this source
in Santa Fe will be about $1,000 a year
The Legislature about to assemble will
take up the revision of the laws relat
ing to the collection of the poll tax and
will probably correct the existing err
rors. There will be a material increase
in revenue from this source.
An income of at least $4,000 year
can be counted on safely, without In
creasng the rate of taxation, although
the school levy for Santa Fe can yet be
increased 1-2 mills under the existing
law. If the levy is not increased and
schools can be operated for nine
months ait a cost of not to exceed 1915 a
month and their efficiency in no way
impaired. This leaves more than the
necessary $1,000 necessary to pay inter-
est on $4,000 at per cent. The ex~
pense of operation would be greatly
reduced with one or two buildings as
it would reduce the number of janitors
now necessary and the introduction of
modern heating apparatus would ma
terially reduce the cost of warming the
buildings. Should the 1-2 mills be
added, or the school levy be brought to
the limit permitted by the existing law,
there would be an increase in revenue
Of so, 500 year on the present tax val
uaton. But this would not be needed
and therefore the tax payers would not
feel the cost of new buildings as for
tunately the school funds can be ex
pended for no other object except the
schools.
Mayor Sparks favors the erection of
a new school building or buildings,
from every point of view. Said he:
"The necessity for new buildings is rec
ognized by everybody. If we look at it
from a business point of view, 1T would
be a paying investment. The Water
and Light Company is one of the heav-
lest taxpayers, if not the heaviest tax
payer in ehcity and yet we are in ia
vor of a modern, large building even if
our taxes are increased because better
school facilities will bring to this city
more people, and whatever additional
taxes we pay will come back to us
from the increase in business. Good
school buildings will bring enough ad-
ditional people here to more than pay
the increased taxes, if that should be
found necessary. l am in favor of a
bond issue If it should be required and
the question should be submitted not
later than the spring election. 1 do be-
lieve, however, that concerted action
will give to the city the Fort Marcy
reservation. If the matter is placed
before President Roosevelt in proper
manner, believe he would take prompt
action 1t would give an opportunity to
build for himself here a most magnifi-
cent monument in the form Of good,
modern school building. He is pro-
gressive citizen and l am confident
would act promptly. If that is done
before spring, the problem is solved. If
it is not, then let's vote on bonds. Then,
too, l am satisfied there will be no OPP
position. 1 am satisfied there will be
little or no opposition on the part of
natives, for the public school is the on
ly place many of them can send their.
children to be educated. Cooperation
is the only thing needed and the build
ing will be secured. AS mayor, I re-
ceive many letters asking about Santa
Fe and the question which appears in
every lettr is as to school facilities.
The only way in the world for Santa Fe
to bring here the class of people we
want as citizens and to hold those we
have, is to provide good school build
ings. Personally, ! send one Of my
children to pay school and my young
est one, am keeping at home because
would prefer that he lose year than
spend this year in small, poorly ven-
tilated room. From every point of view
am heartily and strongly in favor of
putting up new building or new build
ings, as the case may be-"
City Treasurer w. J. Mcpherson IS In
favor Of new buildings. Il believe"
said he, 1--WE should have one large new
modern building that would be up to
date in every respect. A new school
building here would increase the atten-
dance as it has in every other town
where one has been erected. Look at