Middletown transcript., 1908-10-31

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By far the most interesting part OF that
report is in relation to Washington street
bridge, which shows that contract was
let with the American Bridge Co., about
September 9Th, 1902, for the structure for
$s5, 900 and an engineer employed to pre-
pare plans and snperintend construction
for $1,000, a total of $50, 200. There were
subscriptions from corporations and pri-
Vate individuals of $lS,5O0. The work
was under way and SIS, 900 had been paid
on contract and $500 to the engineer when
this Republican body went out of control,
leaving balance of $51 ,000 to be paid by
the incoming Levy Court.
The Democratic Levy Court immed-
lately proceeded TO investigate the affairs
of their predecessors and in their report
showed that $52, 100 was required to COM
plete the work. A loan was Immediately
aoated on account of. Washington Street
Bridge for $1OO, 900 at per cent. an ex-
cess over the amount required of $47, 800.
In the same year 1893 another per cent.
loan of $50, 900 was foated to pay Demo-
cratic floating debts. OF these loans $780,
600 have been paid during the last four
years. Again in 1897, $3.50, 600 worth OF
bonds was issued by the Democratic court
not for any specific purpose, but to pay
floating debts. During these years the
Court House loan of $69, 900 was maturing
and in 1899 no fund having been pro-
vided to meet them or any part Of them,
they were refunded in full by another is.
sue in that year. These begin to mature
in 1914. Thus during the eight years
from January /, 1893 to January |, 1901
the county debt of $4,000 instead of
having been reduced as required by law
was increased to $4,000.
Had Big Deficit
January l.. 1901, when the Republicans
again came into control, they found an
empty treasury and legacy left by a
Democratic Levy Court of a shortage OF
$50, 900. 1t took careful engineering until
July /, of the same year when taxes be-
gan to come in. Since that time to the
present, Eight years in all, under Republic
can control, there has not been deficit,
while the tax rate during this period has
averaged just 60 cents on the 500 of val
uation. This is to show that while the
Democratic courts with a set rate of 60
cents had deficit each year, the Repub-
lican courts never had a deficit while
working on the same rate of taxation. In
this connection it would be well to state
how the funds of the county have been
spent in the last eight years.
In addition to running the county, the
Levy Court from January /,
1901 to June 80, 1902, liquidated many big
Democratic debts. Appended also is a
long list of expenditures made by the Re-
publican Levy Courts since 1901, the most
remarkable part of it being that each
year has been finished without a deficit
and the tax rate is being kept at low
figure.
Republicans Pay Debts
From January l, 1901, to the end of the
fiscal year, ending June Both, 1902, the
Republican Levy Court liquidated the
following debts:
Bills payable, (this item of bills pay
able is thing Of the past and has never
appeared in the past records since the
above date, January /, 1901, $50, $50. .66;
bonds redeemed, $50, ,O0O. 90; investment
tax Adams) refunded, S12,9l8.si.
From July LIST, 1902 to July LIST, 1903
Bonds redeemed, $40, 600; investment tax |
fAdams) refunded, $7,66t 80; for good
roads, $289. 20.
From July lst, 1903 to July 1st, 1904
Bonds redeemed, $50, 900; investment tax |
lAdams) refunded 81, ,l6S. 49; good roads,
Sl5, ,2O9.l2; equipping quarry plant at
with stone crusher, &C., $5,.
900.
From July lst, 1904 to July lst, 1906
Bonds redeemed $4,000; good roads,
sSS, l7756; new bridge at Stanton, 81, 900;
new bridge house at Seventh street bridge, |
81, ,728 3S.
From July 1st, 1905 TO July Ist, 1906
Bonds redeemed. $50. 600; good roada, $685.
AGO; increase in appropriation to the
Ferris School as provided by Legislative
enactment, 5000; new appropriation to
Delaware Industrial School for Girls as
provided by legislative enactment, ST.
OS9. 25i allowance to hospitals, new appro-
priation, 81. 900.
From July LIST, 1905 to July LIST, 1907 !