The Providence news. (Providence [R.I.]) 1891-1906, 1905-01-02

Gentlemen of The City Council
Every year matters vital 10 the inter-
ests of this municipality come before it's
ctty council for consideration and deter
mination. The year ensuing will be no
exception i'm TIE importance OF the uues-
tions which you will be called upon TO
decide. and II is fitting. therefore, at the
beginning OF our term OF service that we
carefully examine and inquire into pres
ent municipal conditions | ask your at
tention 10 matters which have been re
ported to me from the different depart
seem to me to merit your consideration
at this time.
FINANCES.
The financial condition OF our city at the
close Of the last hscal year. which ended
September S0th last was more satisfac-
tory than usual. At the beginning Of
that year there were deficits in five de-
partmants aggregating $Sl,4lSO9; at It's
close only one department had unpaid
bills Wis Public schools. which rendered
bills contracted during the year. IN excess
Of the appropriation, amounting TO $5,62l-
The tax rate i'm 1903 waS increased five
cents on each 500 for the expressed pur-
pose OF providing sufficient revenue from
September 1893. to pay, I'm addition to the
amounts necessary for the expenses OF
190S-04, the deficit above mentioned
ment which was thus to be cared for.
amounted to nearly tSS.000 An appro-
priafion was made for public schools As.
90 SsS Would THAN se s sss aS vs ens
increase Of 10000 I'm the school appro-
priation for 1908-N. Notwithstanding
these dacts the department had about
H.. 1.f1 IL.
fiscal year, after it's appropriation, in
creased 20 largely. had been exhausted.
Al the hearing before the committee on
claims regarding this deficiency. IL was
held by the president OF the school com
mittee that our ordinances. providing that
the expenses OF the school department
should he kept within the appropriation
and that IL the appropriation for any de-
partment is exhausted the city council
should make provision for the payment
of further expenditures only after a de-
tailed statement be made OF the reasons
for further expenditures and the objects
for which such expenditures are re
qufred- were not binding upon the school
committee. for the reason that the act
passed by the general assembly October
fth. 1885. IN amendment Of chapter d OF
the general laws. placing the manage
ment Of schools In the hands OF the
school committee. repealed section 10 Of
sid chapter. which provided that our
public schools were 10 be governed ac-
cording TO such ordinances and reyula
UDut AZ lft IfOlt-f CITY dutuDF1AlFC NhbAAl
from time 10 time adopi. said act Of 1sss
prOx'd DING further that the school com
miffce of the city of Providence should
draw al orders for the paymsnt of ibetr
% DnsoS frsrrn the money approIw1s led by
the DIV council for the support of the
public schools" which is Interpreted "a
mean that the scthool committee is noe
couf@net IN It's expercstu ures 10 tbr appro-
prsafions made by the city council foS
that Department for the nscal year. bot
m thoee are exhausted bcfurp -thn-GIad- d-of
thu fiscal year yet "a the beginning Of the
next nscal year sas SION a. the apprp-
pFfstiou fur that year IL matc ~ can az
ence draw vDcn thai To pay the bach
bilr tbrn due
Under such an Interpretation of the h "a
at n stands Al present II .1n rezoily bc
prrcefred tas whereas we nov appro-
pirate annually for fbe public srbpols
oreF fep.r hurs1ref tboosard tDlisrs. the
pnsr rear rfif1AfI. a wSuid te rsJsritdp
f~ une srhoot cornr,attcr tr any one year
% make tbetr .1p<1s1t fur~s doutles 90
trtb3c thai arpoynt sn1 the CITY - Fruvi-
t<ncs would have 10 paT the HIS "a n
r>renf1y paid This laxt,s defrienrF II
gnck % th~ rroy<r fp1erpreiDtiur of th<
Hx se-1ns TO ~. that this ofy council
&snnh dtrvri tf~ ctfT splicltw to hsvs