Evening journal., 1907-05-21
LAUDS RECORD OF
CITY COUNCIL
Chairman White, Of Finance
Committee, Tells What Re-
pubIiCanS Have Done
OVERCAME A BIG DEFICIT

"The Republican party does not fear
to stand on its record" said William
?. White. chairman Of the finance
committee of Council at last nights
meeting of the Republican First Dis
trict Committee. Mr. White, who is a
candidate for recollection from the
Eighth ward, made an address on the
achievements Of the Republican Coun-
ell in the past two years. and he really
sounded the keynote of the Republican
campaign in recountins what Council
has done since July, 1M5.
Not only has the Republican Coun-
Gil wiped out deficit OF 10000 that was
left by the Democrats, but it has done
so without an increase in the tax rate
and there is no intention of the Repub-
licans increasing the tax rate the en-
suing year if they remain in power,
Mr. White asserted.
Faced Big Deficit
Councilman White spoke of condi-
tions that confronted the Republican
Council two years ago when it went
into power. He pointed out that in
addition to a temporary loan of $50
600 which the Democratic Council had
been carrying for many years to avoid
increasing the tax rate there were un-
paid bills left by the Democratic Coun-
ell that increased the deficit to $4,000
which had to be shouldered by the new
Republican Council This amount was
paid out of the taxes collected during
1905 and out cf the July tax in 1906
and now as the end of the fiscal year
of 1867 approaches Chairman White
pointed out that WILMINGTON is on a
sound financial basis, with the deficit
of $4,000 wiped out. He emphasized
the fact that it had not been necessary
TO increase the tax rate one cent tC
do this. and the Republican Council
had not imposed any additional finan-
cial burden upon the property owner.
in putting the city on its feet.
Corporations Must Pay
Mr.. White thought that the work oi
the law and finance committees at tho
last General Assembly should com
mend itself to every taxpayer. especi
ally the work accomplished relative e
the assessment of public service cor
porations. He spoke Of how Council
in the past had been compelled to com
promise on assessment. but he cailc'
attention to the fact that under tn
new plan the corporations had beei
placed on a legal assessment whicl
would increase the city's revenue from
$4,000 to $4,000.
Mr.. White wished it understood tina
the Republican members OF Council
were not opposed 10 corporation
merely because they are corporations
but he insisted that corporations a
well as individuals should pay thei
just share of taxes.
Other Legislation
MT White spoke of the bills original
ing with Council and passed by tn
General Assembly, providing for tn
loan for the Street and Sewer Depart
ment in order to improve the street
and sewers OF the city. and the BON
issue for the Water Department
The speaker declared that, in hi
opinion. one Of the best things in tn
amended city charter was the turnin
over of revenue of the different cit
departments into one common treas
urv Relative to the present conten
ton between City Council and tn
Water Department with respect t
turning over money to the latter de
partment, he asserted that Counc
was living strictly up TO the agreemen
entered into between the two bodies
Chairman Harry H. Billany Of tn
city committee and Councilman Home
c. Simmons also made speeches, i
which they pointed out that it is onl
necessary to get out the Republica
vote TO win. as they have a substan
fia1 majority of voters in Wilmington