Evening journal., 1905-12-05
ELEVENTH WARDERS
PARADE AND MAKE MERRY

city. mako The taN rate of si.50 PER 500 of
assessed valuation, as computed by our
assessors, produce on July D. 1905. au ace
cumulated deficit OF $4,000. THIS hscal
year. which win end Juy l. 1896 ii has
been hoped TO- by some MEANS reduce this
deficit by stringent ccorowics and strsn-
uous cnorts in collecting taxes. But We
Will not have the benont Of a surplus nom
the Water Department tha heretofore
has been paid 10 The Ngyor ant Coun-
ellis and IL is not unregsQnnlc sto.-pre-
sume that by Tie nrst ofutxt JOl NO
Will have an Increased deficit upproXimat-
ing 100000
The cityo Debt.
''Thc moneys expended n tho ehuasci.
or list of expenditures for the year end
Ing july g. 1906 which, by the way, un-
aer our law, was made hy the Old or re-
tiring council docs not iuc'ude amy new
Paving OF strcois but does iuclude Siol-
600 appropriated by tie general act for
the use of The Street and Sewer Depart
meni ail OF which is used to pay for
lighting, ana caring for the streets. al-
ready paved. mention these conditions
incidentally that you may understand That
am new paving Of ftreots must come from
money borrowed. At the present timc we
have "a debt of S2,l7lCo0. and 10 is highly
desirable for the people of Wilmington TO
Understand that n the present system
of borrowing money for paving streets
ana ether public Improvements, is CON
inucd it will gradually increase our pub
lie debit and if all the out-laying disiric %
and unpayed streets are paved properly
very rapidly Increase the public debt To
such am extent ass to become % blrden and
possibly bee nimical to the interests of
Wilmington. IN a great many cities, this
paving is done by the abutting propei ~
holders m some instances the uhutting
are desirable for tho comfort, convenience
and pleasure of the inhabitants Of any
property holders pay into the city treas
uy even more than the actual cost OF
same. m others they pay "a fraction of 10
I and the city pays the balance.
Tax Rate is Fair.
ID have no doubt lf The assessments
of the city of Wilmington were fairly
and judcousy made ana the taxes at
7 the present $l.5D rate, carefully collceted,
that we. might Increase our total assess-
ment 10 such am extent and possibly coli
lect taxes sufficient TO. in "a measure, ass
sst in believing the situation TO some
small eNteut, but we ave confronted with
one of two alternatives 30 tho very near
futmc THE one an increased tax rate, the
other very largely increased pub de5t
unless we secure some legislation come
peuns abuttns property holders TO bear
at least sharc of the burden OF newly
puvcd streets
81 do not wish you 20 understand me
as being committed TO this expedient, blt
] do think % is high time that the oiti-
zcns of Wilmington understand the situl-
tion and crystalizc lhair thoughts in some
way to the end. chat their desires may be
framed into legislation 10 meet the ccn-
diuons or look for asa Increased tax rate
or an Increased debt f present methods
are continued. We AN have great pride Ia
our city. and as I said before would iilsa
nice streets, and j beNcvo tina, "a very con-
siderable portion of this community. de-
sircs efficient public service, aud would
likepuhllc buildings that will be "a credit
and ornament 70 our mun'c pality.
-"It-takcs great deal of money 10 have
AN OF these things and they are necessary.
But 10 is highly desirable that the citl-
zens, or stockholders. as you please,
should know where We sand-how our
money Is being spent and how It may be
spent 20 shoir advantage"
orays Stirring Speech.
Street and Sewer Director John G.. Gray
was then introduced by Mr. McCanerty
and Doe made "a stirring address. lie po.nt-
ed out that the department Doe represent
ed was compelled TO build streets. lght
the city, pay labor. collect ashes, con-
struct sewers and pay the employees Of
/ the department AN with SiOl00 a year.
/ lie SAID that the department received this
sum annually rs years ag6 when the COM
mission was FIRST instituted. ami now
when the city has grown to nearly double
IN size, the appropriation sim remained
tho same.
He asked the people to demaad of the
next Legislature an Increased appropra-
tcn for the Street and Sewer Department
and he promised that the department
would then give the Eleventh ward ana
every other ward better streets, ana other
needed improvements
Tho Programme.
/ Following the speech making the dane
ing began and tine following programme
was carried out:
Coon shoutins" and buck dancing.
rwcnueth Century Minstrcls. First Reg
imeut Band; waltz. plain. First Infantry
Rand; quadrillc plain First Regiment
Band; professional cake walk, First In
lfmtry Band; waltz, Fhst Regiment Band;
grand finale. cake walk by everybody.
both bands
Mr. ANA Mrs. Connolly entertained the
guests OF the committee after the dancing
and refreshments were served.