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

mltIee IN answer 20 your cflliCiSM ~
d statement Of Condition Of city
Funds you expressed hope that !
would give the taxpayers eniighten-
ment etc; will not disappoint the
hope
The report OF thu city auditor on
the finances OF the city pr the year
ending April LIST, 1908, shows that the
treasurer had received from all
sources, including cash on hand April
LIST, 1907 ........,..... S51,SS0,55
Disbursed. as per vouchers. ss.927.5s
Balance IN the funds as Of
April LIST, 1908 .,..-.. $12,s52.97
This is absolutely correct, and |
think it complimentary to the treas
urer that, In handling 50 large sum.
there was not a discrepancy Of so
much as penny, and he also certi-
fled that the amount was in the bank
to the credit OF the clerk and treas
urer. This should settle the question
OF the finances.
Now, construe your criticism as
an attack on the management OF the
Icity's affairs by the board OF alder
men, and you so state in your editor
ial OF 7th inst. Let us appeal to the
records as to the management Of the
business Of the city during these sew
eral years past" say from 1894 TO the
present day. For purpose Of COMPARE
son let us Gull few items from the
records OF the years preceding this
year Of 1894.
From the records Of 1892 and 1898
A meeting OF council called to sell
8 per cent city bonds--soId at 93 cents
net Light committee directed 70 as
certain from Gas Company terms for
lighting the city, the city being in
darkness. Report OF the committee.
The Gas Company didn't care 20
make contract with the city until out
standing bills we're paid. Later.
recommended by the mayor that, as
the city was in darkness. an extra
policeman be added TO the force mo
doubt a measure ofeconomy cheaper
than lights, or probably could be had
on credit. Light committee directed
TO ascertain what discount the gas
company would give the city to Sc
cure a settlement OF approved bills,
that Is, how much OF just debt
would the city be allowed to repudiate.
The gas company was willing to
decker with the authorities but de-
clined TO make tirst offer. Result:
an offer OF so per cent by the city.
declined by the gas company The
company moved as q substitute 70 &C.
cept so per cent, II paid promptly.
The chairman OF definitions. after
consulting "websters Unabridged"
reported that promptly meant quickly.
eheerfnlly performed, After delibera-
tlon the council concluded that. while
Il would accept proposition to pay
as quickly as convenient. Il couldn't
stand for "cheerfully performed" The
result was that negotiations fell
through, and the gas company OBJ
tanned a judgment FOR 100 per cent
and expenses, which was paid later BY
councils OF "the several years past.
An ordinance was introduced by one
who Is today one OF our leading fnan-
cIers 20 borrow $4,000 to pay officers
salaries aud rent on council rooms.
pledelng the faith OF the city along
with receipts from licenses and fines,
! suppose this faith was the same. or.
probably. a balance ieft over after the
deal with the gas company.
A meeting % council called to
devise means to pay salaries, adjust
lawsuits, etc. resulted thusly: Order.
Cd that che city pledge $500 frst
moneys received from licenses and
fines 10 anyone who would lend h.
the chairman % the finance commit.
tee was dlrectca % negotiate tbe loan.
Tho chairman, a heading banker o.
thc day reported ain weeks later.
HAD made dllisent eanrt bnt had
tailed 10 ma any0ne who would lend
the city the $500