The Saint Paul globe., 1904-12-17
MAYOR SIGNS BUDGET,
But UNDER PROTEST
Believes That Some of the
Items Should Be Cut Out
Entirely

Mayor Smith yesterday affixed his
signature to the 1906 tax budget, pro-
testing that there were several items
contained therein that should have
been eliminated.
The mayor did not believe that the
amount appropriated should be so
large, and in number of instances
he thought items should be cut out
entirely. Believing that the budget
adopted by the city council would
by the people when they go to the polls,
the mayor sought the advice of the
corporation attorney.
The object of Mayor Smith was to
veto those items that did not meet
with his approval, and which he be-
lieves will de the subject of criticism in
the future. Corporation Attorney
Michael held that as all the items are
contained in an ordinance it is impos
sible for the mayor to approve or dis
approve Of one or more without veto
ing the entire measure.
But the governor of the state can
approve different items in the general
appropriation bill and yet disapprove
Others" argued the mayor.
Must Approve or Veto Ordinance
But in the matter of city legisla-
tion the situation is different" said
Mr.. Michael. 1T is necessary either to
approve or veto the ordinance contain
ing the entire budget"
AFTER considering the matter dur
ing the entire time the budget has been
before the council / have been unable
to determine why a number of items
should have been included" said the
| mayor. "But I am merely the execu-
tive officer of the city and the mem
bers Of the council have come in con-
tact with the people in favor of and
opposed to the different allowances,
and I suppose that l should bow to
their wishes"
The mayor took up his pen as though
| to sign the document appropriating the
greatest amount in the history of the
city for running expenses. He hesi-
| tated, laid down the pen and said:
while 1 have just made up my mind
| to sign this document because the
| council has passed on it and approved
| the different items, I do not believe
| that the people who voted for the char
| ter amendments increasing the appro-
priations will approve of the action.
Increase of S296.0oo
The charter amendments carried with
| them an increase in the annual budg-
| eft of $134 900. Besides this 1t must be
1 considered that the city must, out of
| the budget that is being approved, pay
| for the damage done by the cyclone.
/ The individuals who suffered will be
| paid $4,000; it will require $4,000 to
pay for the reconstruction of the high
/ bridge; $35, 900 will be spent to restore
| the school buildings that were dam
4 aged; the public baths will be given
$4,000 for permanent improvements; !;
| the armory $4,000 to complete the
building, and on nacadam roads $25,O0O
will be spent. This accounts for an
4 increase in the expenditures of the city
! for the next year of $685. 900, which is
more than the amount of natural in
j crease. and accounts for the greater
taxes that will be paid during the
| coming year.
in signing the budget as passed by
| the council l must pass the RESPONSE
| bility to the people who voted for the
increases, in the department allow
| ances and to the powerful influences
! that induced the city council to re-
seind the reductions that 1t agreed
| upon. There is no question that when
| the taxpayers get together they Will
! agree that $2,953,000 is a large amount
to spend to support the city for one
year. / agree with them, but there is
nothing for me to do but sign the
budget
With this statement the mayor
signed the budget and sent it to the
city clerk in time to have it officially
published Monday.