The Montgomery advertiser., 1903-05-13

February, 1907 ....................... 200 co
 Tota. ...........................$ .$5 766. .66
 Tt will require years of close economy to put Selma upon cash basis"
 Mayor Mcleod thought that in spite of the expense of construction the city build ings now in course of erection would be of great good. The expenditure of $25, 900 for this purpose was momentous of course, but would finally prove benefit.
 After thanking the officers who had served during his term he closed with a paragraph as to his future conduct when he should be private citizen. It Is an excellent commentary upon his fearless, faithful and eminently just behavior du- ring the four years he was Mayor of Selma. He said:
 ''In laying down the office of Mayor. I do so with a consciousness that in all things l have done what could for Sel- ma. and I seek to escape no responsibil- ity for any error I may have committed As private citizen I expect to continue to take lively interest in the welfare of this. your city and mine. and to do what can to uphold and sustain every official working for the common good of our be- loved city,"
 After the inauguration of the new Coun- ell Mayor Atkins delivered his message to the legislators. After expressing his ap- preciation of the honor, dignity, and re- sponsibility he had received from the electors and people of Selma he entered upon discussion of the floating debt of the city. He read figures which are printed in Mayor McLeod's communica- ton. and pointed out the gravity of the situation. He said that the oity owes its officers over s6.Q00 on unpaid salaries This condition, he said, is not very en- couraging, he said. but need not frighteu us. i've are well able to cope with 1t and bring to our people. that relief they so justly deserve, but to do this we must have their endorsement and encourage ment. l would have you, gentlemen. to appeal to the people. taxpayers, license payers and all to cease their abuse of us. their servants" MT. Atkins showed that the estimated | receipts of the city for the next year would be $52 290 and that the actual ex- -penses would be $44135. leaving a small surplus. There must be- then. even under i the most favorable conditions, very lt- l tie sum to be paid upon the floating debt | But all the officers of the city had con. scented to reduction of 10 per cent oi
 their salaries. He recommended other re. | trenchments by means of reduction of the l light bill, which is very heavy, and by g | discontinuance in standing appropriations except in the case of the appropriation to the Associated Charities which should be reduced from $75 to $60. In speaking of taxes the Mayor said that the property tax rate was low but that license taxes had been raised. This he thought was resultant from the low
 
 Tn 1S93-4 the total property valuation was returned at s4,952.955. In 1902-3 the total property valuation was returned al &,S75,S11 depreciation of $l7714l. Is the property of our city decreasing? Are the values lower than they were ten years ago? You must also know that the limits of the city have been extended and al least $100,000 worth of property was brought into the limits and with that ad- dition you see we have great deficit You know. gentlemen. that Selmaa prop erty has not depreciated in value. The recent public sales of property show the contrary. Is 1t right that this property should be assessed less than 1t was as sessed ten years ago. with the increase fir territory. new and handsome buildings | and the appreciated prices that ever, condition shows that we have?
 We should realize that the real estate of the city should bear it's equal propor- | ton of taxation and expense to keep uI | the city government.
 After cursory treatment of severa matters, he took up the question of muni | cipal ownership. He had now. he said | no criticisms to make against the Selma | Light and Power Company. 'as 1t is st much better than 1t was a few month. ago." But in view of the heavy price tn, | city was paving for street lighting. h'
 plan of municipal ownership of thi. | utility.
 He said he thought this would be no l only possible, but feasible.
 Mayor Atkins made decided remark l about the Selma Water Company. "The Water Company contract Is lony standing bone of contention, and whils | in every way seems unjust to the cit, and the people, it appears from the lonj continued fight that We are in their DOW
 CT until the expiration of the contract
 We should not, though. give up the fight