Pine Bluff daily graphic., 1907-02-24
bounds and salaries, and each head or department furnishes an estimate of

fixed expenses, and also contemplated permanent Improvements in each par ticular department, care being taken that expenditures do not exceed re- ceipts, and in no case is this budget deviated from. All unexpended bal ance at the end of each year reverts back to the general fund.
 Our city owns it's water plant and sewerage system, for which they is. sued special bonds, and the income not only takes care of the interest and sinking fund of these bonds, but pays a revenue to the city. Also owns and operates it's electric light plant, for it's own use only, thus saving a considerable cost on lighting the city.
 The commission since it's organiza- ton has paid off in settlement of old claims and made the following perma- nent Improvements:
 Outstanding scrip and interest is- sued by previous administration, $169,924.32; outstanding judgments paid and cancelled, $21,0S6.49; per manent improvement, paving, rock, shelling streets, drainage, etc, S279,- 63S.95; permanent improvements of waterworks fire department, John Sealy hospital, city hall, etc, s124,- O4O.333; total of $594 4,6S9.S9.
 Doe;loc, 1ofrov;,,u Tho fiyoG aynpncpS of the city government on a cash bas- is, even to paying it's laborers weekly in cash. And without borrowing one dollar, issuing bonds Or increasing the rate of taxation, although our taxable values were reduced p per cent in the calamity of 1900. The above sum of. $594,6S9.S9 was saved and paid out of the general revenues after the fixed running expenses had been paid.
 While our city administration has accomplished much and it is attribut- able perhaps to our change in form )f government, the reform and beneficial changes in our county government has been accomplished under the old sys- tenn, which is the same as in every county in the state. Our people were again fortunate in getting good men to serve as commissioners, men who were honest and capable, who at once set to work putting our county's af- fairs on a business basis. They stopped the leaks, they inaugurated system and method, displacing chaos and confusion, soon getting every fund upon it's proper and cash basis. Nor is this all. With the aid and con- sent of the taxpayers and other friens of our city financed and built our splendid sea wall, paid for it in cash as it progressed, and that was one public contract involving one and one-quarter million dollars in which there was not one nickle in rebates, commissions or graft, the people get ting an honest return for every dollar paid out. So it would appear that the old form of government is good enough when placed in the hands of efficient, honest and successful men, who will guard the public interests as they would their own.
 The details of our grade raising and filling work are under the supervision of. a grade-raising board, consisting of three of our best citizens, who are appointed by the governor, and thit board has entire control of that work, except the finishing of the same, which is taken care of by our city govern ment, and all payments made upon approval of the grade raising board. The appointment by the governor re- moves these officers from all political or other evil influences, and insures continuance of the work to compile ton under the original satisfactory management.
 Our public school systm is under the supervision and control of board of trustees, elected by the people, and
 
 poses are collected by the city and turned over to our school board for distribution and maintenance of the schools, and in this particular branch of our government We have been very fortunate, for in it's councils every objectionable feature which might en- ter into it's management has been en- tirely eliminated, and harmony and efficiency prevails throughout the sys- tenn.
 Municipal reform must originate with the people, but such movements are generally delayed until forced up- On them by excesses and abuses, and whether caused by carelessness, in- competency or graft, the result to the taxpayer is the same
 Every civic administration can have just as good government as a major ity of it's citizens make an honest and