Evening journal., 1903-03-28
WHY THE CITY
HAS NO MONEY
IN TREASURY
Much Dissatisfaction Over
the Action of Council in
Borrowing $4,000
MUCH MONEY DUE TO THE CITY
People Say Council Should Compel
City Tax Collectors to Make Settle
ment and Relieve the Financial Con-
dition Which Prevails.

There has been much unfavorable COM
mcnt made since the recent passage by
city Council OF an ordinance providing
for a loan OF $4,000 to meet the expenses
Of the city for the present fiscal year.
over $4,000 Of this amount has already
been ordered drawn. and will be used 10
pay interest and redeem bonds on April /.
II Is claimed by many that Council had
no authority according 10 law 10 borrow
this sum- but the Counciimen contend
that there IS clause attached no the Sec
hlon OF the ordinances relating TO the mat
ter that gives Council power to borrow on
extraordinary occasions. money TO meet
emergencies, and they claim that the pres
cnt financial condition OF the city Is an
extraordinary occasion and comes within
the reading OF the law.
Tho law Is construed by others In an en-
tiroly different manner. II says that
Council can borrow money on extraor-
dinary occasions. but confines these extra
ordinary occasions to times OF calamitles
or possible unlocked for accidents TO city
property such as the expense which an
extensive breakdown OF tho water works
would occur.
Expected $4,000.
"Why was it necessary that Council
should borrow money with which 10 run
the city," is the question asked by almost
every taxpayer in Wilmington. A Coun-
Gilman viii inform you that the city tax
collectors and the water department. are
al fault when the budget for the pres
lpccted 20 recelvc about 5000 ff0nTyAgI
watcr commissioners and the city tax col
lectors. which amount did not matorlalize
Instead OF receiving $1,000 a week from the
assossors the city has received at times
less than 81 900 a week. The budget had
been made up and the money had to be
gotten from somewhere ITO save the city =
credit.
A Political Game.
'All this may be true" said q promi-
Incnt citizen this morning in talking over
tho matter, 'but Tho fact stills remaina
that there Is something wrong. Looldne
az the matter from all Sides" continued
the gentleman, 'nhe trouble may be laid
at the door of politics. Although / may
be mistaken, but think not.
I'VE will call Il. however little po-
lhitical game. I'm which tho tax collectors
and Council are holding hands. The
former have many friends who probably
greatly assisted tho assessors TO attain
their present positions and as a result
fayors are asked and given. Suppose you
had worked for one Of the present col.
lectors TO secure his election and you de.
sired time TO pay your tax, wouldn't you
get a..
by granting these favors. yon car
readily see how man can make himself
solid In his district. and because OF thii
very pun that holds with the people th'
Councilmen are afraid TO force matters
for fear Of hurting themselves politically
Have Not Settled Up.
Former tax collector Thomas S. Lewil
has not made a final settlement will
Council as yet, nor has Eugene M. Say
ers settled. in the meantime Thousand
OF dollars has accumulated in outstanding
taxes which the city could readily use al
the present"
1t is now said that an ill-feeling eOlst
between Chairman Kane. OF the Financl
Committee OF Council, and City Tax Col
ieelor soyers because the former has beer
recently insisting that moro money shoul'
be collected.
Thousands Of dollars will be needed
within the next few months to meet thl
city's obligations. The heaviest stems ar
the appropriations ito the Board OF Educa
Hlon. amounting to about $1,000 a month
which means $4,000 by July l. the city
payroll Of about $4,000 for the thre'
months, and the cost of garbage collection
amounting to a trifle over 1850.