The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1905-01-17
NEED The MONEY.
City Claims State Owes 500, 700
for Paving.
Never Paid Share for That
Around State House.
HAS JUST BEEN FOUND.
Discovery Made in Looking Over
Old Documents.
Estimate for Sixth Ward Sewer
Is Made.
HAS JUST BEEN FOUND.

If the records in the Office of the
city clerk and that of the city treas
Ilrer are correct the state of Kansas
is indebted to the city for the sum of
some $4,000 for the asphalt pave
ment which surrounds the state house
square. The discovery was made
Monday. The investigation which re-
suited in the discovery came about in
the following roundabout manner.
Representative Bird of Shawnee coun-
ty inquired at the office of the city
engineer in regard to some data con-
nected with the assessment of the
property adjoining to the state house
square in anticipation of introducing
a bill calling for the repair and curb
ing of some of the walks on the state
house grounds. The city engineer in
looking over the books of the city
clerk had his attention drawn to the
state had never paid for the improve
ment of paving. He called the at
tention of the city clerk who imme-
diateIy started in to trace uD the mat
ter The books of til city treasurer
were hauled down ana consulted Eut
no memoranda could be discovered
which tended to show that the debt
had been liQuidated- In the after
noon the city clerk Dhoned to Auditor
of State Wells Office and also the state
treasurer's office, and at o'clock in
the afternoon the answer came back
to the effect that the state records
agreed with the city records in that
no memoranda existed which showed
that payment had been made.
The pavement about the state house
square was laid down during the
years of 1887 and 1888 and the usual
ten years payment plan was in force
in making the levy and assessment of
the lots liable for the improveme nt.
Where payment was made Immediate
ly the first year for the full amount,
by the parties liable, it is credited in
red ink and the amounts falling due
each year are not carried out. Where
the property owner paid on the ten
year plan each years amount is car
ried out in extensions and the hnal
record of payment is shown by a
check mark after the extension.
In the states case, however. the
extensions have been carried out from
year to year and no check mark ex-
the city met the obligation.
The levy made against the state for
each block is as follows: On Eighth
avenue from Jackson to Van Buren,
$4,573.33, from Van Buren, to Harri-
son. $3,090.14s on Tenth avenue from
Jackson to Van Buren, f$2,526.12s from
Van Buren, to Harrison S,7S5.S6; on
Harrison from Eighth avenue to
Ninth street $4,S2487; on Harrison
from Ninth street to Tenth avenue
$3,855.5O.
The city clerk has nothing to show
the assessment which was levied on
Jackson from Eighth avenue to Tenth
avenue, but figuring on the same
basis of assessment as exists in the
above this would amount to So
1923, making a grand total levy of
$2s,S36.1O.
Figuring on a basis of per cent, |
the legal rate, the principal and in
terest due to the city from the state
is in round numbers $4,000.
This would put the city treasury in
the best financial shape that it has
experienced for years 1t would
liquidate any deficit which may stare
the city in the face at the end of the
fiscal year, and it is safe to figure that
the city will face a deficit at that time,
and in addition leave a nice little bal
ance in the treasury.
With this condition of affairs the
city could go ahead and take up
the erection of a crematory under
ownership with which it
showed itself much in favor at last
nights session of the council. and
moreover create the office of inspector
Of electrical wiring which it is felt is
a. needed department, but which the
city council have been dubious of
on account of the status
IF the city treasury. Councilmen
With City Attorney Spencer, were ap-
pointed by the mayor to act as a
committee to Investigate the matter.
CITY Engineer McCabe presented to
he council his estimate of the cost of
of the Sixth ward sewer.
rhe estimate made shows a cost of
84,698.75. One of the items which
igures heavily in the cost is that /
much solid rock excavation will have ,
o be encountered. The Sixth ward ]
ever lies almost entirely in the Low /