The Providence news. (Providence [R.I.]) 1891-1906, 1903-05-19

creas sed valuation once adopted goes on
probably for ever. IL I svery nearly i'm
possible TO get the assessors TO reduce
valuation when once fixed. while tax
rate can be changed from year to year as
the requirements demand.
Continuing Mr.. Balch said the auditor
has prepared a statement showing what
the tax OF $50 on $500 10000 OF valuation
would realize and it shows that at X.bo
the deficit in 1904 would be $4,000. The
auditor also shows that the item OF mis-
cellaneous receipts estimated at Ssss, $50 is
not likely 70 be exceeded Mr.. Balch be-
lieved that Sl.eo cent rate this year
meant a $40 rate next year. or large
increase in the valuation.
In conclusion Mr.. Balch said that II the
valua ton was increased TO S20o. o0o. 900 and
the rate fixed at slg the revenue would
just pay the running expenses OF the city
Councilman Darling said he was In Ia
vor OF the sl.so rate and should vote In
favor OF the resolution.
Councilman 'Gllrain spoke earnestly
against raising the rate. He deplored the
extravaganza OF the council In previous
years and said that economy was an un-
known virtue in the common council. He
scored the school committee, saying It's
members had no sense OF responsibility
to the tax payer Under the former rate
OF 81. .65. he declared, there was a deficit.
Retrenchment Is the only remedy, he
claimed.
Mr.. sIssoN FAvoRs N.sS.
Councilman sisson spoke in favor OF
the higher rate. The credit OF this city is
already impaired. he said. We have de-
felt OF SSl. 900 for the last fiscal year and
an unknown deficit for the coming year.
The rate that Is proposed, N.6o Is totally
inadequate. but IL In a step In the right
direction There are now pending before
] AZ .ftta lat Ia
at per cent. bills that should have been
paid last March, but which were not paid
until October. Credit s very sensitive
and may be easily impaired. I regret as
much as anyone the necessity OF advanc-
ing the tax rate, but l think that the
| step Is necessary"
The resolution as amended was defeated
on roll call by vote OF 10 TO H. the vote
Noes-Mesrs Kendrick, Balch. BIxey
/ Higgins Kingsley, Lake. Leonard. Miller
Moore. Parsons. Peterson-ls. Ayes
Armstrong. Barr. Canning. Corey; Oar
ling Devlin. Giblin. Gillrain. Hall Little
field, Parks. Allen A. Preebrey: W alter a
! Presbrey Raftery. San Souci-S. Absen
! Root Sison. Smith Sphinx. Massie
Mr.. 0ilirain moved to lay the resolu
tion on the table until the next meeting
! lost. 10 to Is.
Mr.. sisson presented a new resolution
!
! seconded by Mr.. Balch and passed on
! roll call vote Of 10 TO IS as follows, afte
| being opposed by Mr.. Armstrong:
! Ayes-kendrick. Balch. Bixby. Budlons
| Fletcher. Grant. Grimwood Higgins
Kingsley. Lake. Leonard. Miller. Moore
Parsons. Peterson, Root, Sisson. Smith
Spink-19.
Noes-Armstrong. Barr Cannins
/ CofYey. Darling. Devlin. Dunn Giblin
! Gillrain, Hall. Littlefeld. Parks. Allen A
Presbrey Walter A. Presbrey. Raftery
San Souci-1s.
Absent-Masie. Nicholson. Rawson-3.
j. Mr. Grimwood moved that the vote h
reconsidered. on motion Of Mr.. Bale
Mr. Grimwoods motion was laid % tn
table.
Mr.. Dunn introduced resolution pro
viding for an appropriation OF $500 70
the purpose OF supplying the drinkin
fountains with ice: IL was laid on tn
table for two weeks.
The petition OF Washington f. Wait
for remission OF sewer assessment, tn
petition OF william Kelly for damages
the petition OF Ann Mckenns for rems
sion Of sewer assessment were referred I
the committee on claims.
The petition Of the Public Park asso
ciation for the purchase OF a section q
Gaspee street freight yard for park pur