Evening capital. (Annapolis, Md.) 1884-1910, 1906-03-12
THE BILL FOR CITY CHARTER.
MAKES TWO CHANGET IN PRES
ENT LAW.
Provides For Proposed Loan Some
Opposition To The Measure
Construction of Railways.
OPPOSITION TO PASSAGE OF
THE BILL.

The bill amending the city charter
of Annapolis which was introduced by
Delegate Duvall on Friday last, was
drawn by City Counsellor Riley and
makes only two changes in the present
law, both of which, however, are
regarded as highly important. They
are for the purpose of increasing the
borrowing power of the City Council,
provided the proposed loan and the
purposes to which the money is TO be
devoted receives the assent of the
dualied voters cf the municipality,
aud to make more certain the present
vague authority in the charter pro.
viding for the institution of condem-
nation proceedings bn the part of the
city.
The first provision is regarded of the
greatest Importance aud has received
the unanimous endorsement of the
City Council. The possibility of GER
tain imperatively needed improve
ments depends absolutely on the pas
sage ofsthis provision. However, no
bond issue is contemplated until one
of the issue of bonds now in existence
is entirely paid off, as it will be next
year
The improvements which ale impos-
sible without increasing the city's
borrowing power are the sewering of
such streets as West street, Madison
street and Murray avenue. the paving
of Market, Conduit and Charles
streets, and the construction of road
ways on certain portions of Murray
Hill as we'll as the sewering of as
much of the colored quarter of tho
city as possible
There is some opposition to tho
measure based on n feeling of antago.
nism to the issue of more bonds 1t
is not generally understood, however,
that there is no thought of another
bond issue until the city is relieved
of Que boud issue aud the amount re-
aired t5 be deposited TO the credit of
the interest and sinking funds will
not be more than at present devoted
to the bonds which will be retired
next year. In addition to that no
bonds can be issued unless the quail
fed voters of the city assent TO it aud
to the use to which the proceeds are
to be devoted
Moreover, instead of increasing taxes
the measure is sure TO result IN a
substantial decrease. Some of tire
improvements mentioned arc absolute
| ly necessary and can hardly be put
I issued sGes the tax Fs sn4ss @ sisd seps ere &c
! the limit for several years and by
eeonomizing the necessary improve
| ments may be secured, but in a par
tial and unsatisfactory way. To secure
improvements costing 81, coo or So, ,000
IL or 10 cents must be put on the tax
rate if the money is raised in single
1 wear. With an issue of bonds for the
| sinking fund to provide payment for
which 81 600 a year must be placed,
only about cents would have to be
| carried on the tax rate.
1t is thought that when it is under
stood.that the only hope of economical
and sufficient improvements along the
lines mentioned hes in the passage OF
this bill, the opposition will die out.
The only other change is to make the
provisions relating to condemnation
more certain AS it now stands the
city has only very uncertain right
of condemnation and it applies only
| to the opening Of streets. Under the
| bill the power is made very plain anC
| the right is extended to condemnation
for any municipal purpose, as th'
| laying of sewer.