The commercial. (Union City, Tenn.) 190?-193?, 1903-11-27
Telephone No. 13

which | have been criticised, was
my support of measure brought
before the Board and carried, to
refund to two saloon keepers the
unearned license fund. After these
saloons were by law closed, the
owners having paid for license for
one year in advance, the Board re-
funded to them their unearned
license, believing 1t to be honest
and just. | voted for this measure
because it was honest to do so, and
because municipal corporations
cannot afford to deal uniustly with
any one and should give value for
everything received IT I have
erred in any of the foregoing, it
has been caused by my judgement
and not by my desire to do wrong.
Soon after was elected l found
that nothing reliable was known Of
the financial status of the Water
Works and Electric Light Plant.
The Board did not know what the
income was, and we, as MEMBERS,
did not know whether the plant
was making money or losing money
for the city; and in April, 1902. I /
succeeded in getting an order
passed, requiring the Superintend- .
ent to render full and accurate
account of everything pertaining to
the plant as follows:
for water ................. S4ol.4o
For lights, ,............. 1893. 10
Total per month, ........ 844.58
Delinquents for 1901 and to
April II, 1902 2.......... 284.25
We also found that the north
western part of the city, containing
$50, 10000 worth of property, was
in total darkness, so far as the
streets were concerned, and still a
number of citizens were getting
lights in their residences at the low
sum OF 80 cents per month. I'M
mediate steps were taken to reme-
dy all these evils and succeeded i'll
having an order passed, requiring
the uperintendent to place lights
in the northwestern part of the
city, where they were in total dark
ness and electric light prices raised
to uniform minimum rate.
On Aug. T. 1908, the following
resolution was passed by the City
Council:
That all bills from the different
of the city should be
paid by the Board.
On account of these investiga-
tions considerable revenue has been
saved to the city, and those who
assisted me are entitled to your en-
dorsement. IT am reelected, my
purpose is to suggest other i'm
proven ents which will materially
benefit the city. My only purpose
has always been to get every de-
oartment of this city on a business
basis, so that people may see the
actual results OF each department
and especially do want to see the
Water and Light Plant become a
source of revenue to the city.
AS chairman of the street COM
nittee, the streets and sidewalks
show for themselves as to how l
nave discharged my duty. l have
lone the best l could do with the
finances to sustain me. There was
3, 10000 Of the street fund used IN
iquidating some outstanding ac-
counts against other departments
If the city, which if expended on
he streets and sidewalks would
lave made great deal of difference
n favor of the streets.
1t was and is the policy of the
Mayor to reduce the taxes as early
is possible and l have heretofore
ind do now agree with him, and it
S my purpose to have taxes reduced
f elected. l have served you as
and honestly as it was in
ny power to do, and if you see fit
o return me to the Council shall
eek with all my energy to preserve,
lot only the moral interests of the
ity, but it's financial interests also.
Respectfully,
D. P. CALDWELL.