Gainesville daily sun. (Gainesville, Fla.) 190?-1938, 1908-08-31


We find that committees were ap.
pointed to pass the hat to raise money
for municipal purposes: one instance.
to pay expenses Of a witness to New
York II seems the council sent few
thousands Of dollars OF per cent
bonds on an excursion TO New York
City. suppose they got disorderly
UP there, got into the mayors court
perhaps. we're fined, think, s4OO and
trimmings---they. should have had al
chaperon.
We find on the records that the
president Of the board Of trade was
requested to select three citizens, two
Of whom should be II. +. Dutton and
O. X. Broome. to meet with com.
mittee Of council to consult on the
affairs OF the city-a kind Of post
mortem
must exclaim In the words OF
Mark Antony (Mark was a man who
lived little earlier In Gainesville
probably, possibly an alderman); lis
ten to Mark: have neither wit nor
words TO set forth these things; j
can only show you these records and
bid them speak for me: but were II
Brutus and Brutus Antony. there
we're an Antony would ruffie up your
spirits, and put tongue in every one
Of these financial stunts that should
move the very sawdust on the streets
Of Gainesville to rise and mutiny ri
must close here this part Of the rec
ord, but leave many rare things un.
told; win speak Of them later N a
book am writing, entitled THE
"Reminiscences OF an Alderman"
We now come to the beginning Of
the second period--"the several years
past" Of the critic. In April Of this
year, 1894, the present chairman OF
finance committee was elected to the
City Council. He has served contin-
uously since, and should be Won
qualified to speak on matters pertain.
Ing to the city government. We had
our troublesi for three years we had
more or less stormy times; the meet.
ings were not always harmonious. but
even through these years the fInancial
affairs OF the city showed sre lual
improvement All bills were ordered
out of the proper funds, and the
finance committee saw to It that funds
were provided TO pay All 100 cents cl
the dollar had often jesscI with
Col Dutton about his tendency to
hand IN his resignation when some
one Of his colleagues would step on
his toes; was passing his oilice ON
one occasion. after q stormy session
of council; he was alone and dropped
In; remarked: Colonel, I thought
of YOU this evening as l sat at she9
council board up 10 my neck in mud:
asked myself. had you been In my
place, how long would II have re.
quired for you to have handed in
your resignation? He responded,
Don't YOU reslgnl" didn't.
Our legacy from the old council was
debt Of about $4,000 partly esti-
mated. I was denied free access 70
the city books until April. 1897. On
the 2ist OF AprIn 1897, said to Clerk
and Treasurer Dell that intended to
open set OF books for the finance
committee. and that II vas useless 70
have two sets Of books. ana Il he
would turn his books over 70 me
would relieve him OF that work. He
gladly assented. who would notg
This accounts for my keeping the city
books. Il has been great help 20 me
In keeping track 81 the city's business.
On the nrst day Of January. 1885.
the finance committee furnished to
the council and 10 the taxpayers the
irst reliable report 0f the cisy's Hnan-
ces now extant The report Is aecid-
edly optimistic; win quote some ma.
terial facts from H.
Statement Of Indebtedness o. city
on Dec aiut 1897:
500 bonds interest paid 10
Dec. list tsaT. ....... ssa.aooce
3 acknowledging from
Oh council ~ Aasm8s
Balance due on spring 10000