The Brunswick news. [volume] (Brunswick, Ga.) 1906-2016, 1910-09-17
NOT TO OFFER
FOR REELECTION
he REPLIES TO ANNOUNCE-
MENT OF CANDIDATE e.
c.. BUTTS.
Discusses the Citys Financial Con.
,stion at Length and Gives His Rea'
son for Not Again Offering for the
Position of Mayor.

IN spite CT the earnest solicitation
of hundreds of friends in the city
MAYOR Hopkins has finally determn-
ID TO retire from the office of mayor
OF the city of Brunswick, which he
has filled with credit for five years,
during which time many permanent
pu0lc improvements have been
made, notably III the many new and
handsome sidewalks and in the paw
ING of Newcastle street with yItrl-
ned brick The coming of the troll
ley line. the most important improve
ment in Brunswick in years, was due
largely to the hard work OF the may
Or and on the whole his administra-
ti0n has been along broad and pro-
eressive lines The announcement
thGt he would not make ,ne race
has been expected for several days
and will not be a surprise, as Mr..
Hopkins has said for weeks to his
closest friends that he could not see
his way clear to do So Offers OF
support have poured in upon him
from all sections of the city and had
he consented to permit the use of
his name for the once again, it is
safe to assume that he could easily
have been reelected to the office he
has so creditably filled.
The mayor issued the following
statement yesterday on the subject:
o the Citizens of Brunswick:
I have refrained from replying to
Mr.. Butts card in the Journaf OF
Sept. l, 1910, until the article should
have had complete and fufl circula-
ton amongst our people.
l do not question the right of any
citizen to offer for any public office
an while personally | haven't but
the highest regard for Mr.. Butts. who
is my personal friend. | oniy desire
to correct the impression which his
statement is liable to convey to the
outside world that the city's affairs
have been mismanaged and her cred
it impaired.
Mr. Butts calls attention to the
city 5 liabilities, but fails to inform
the people as to its assets. In point
ing out certain conditions he does
not suggest any remedy but contents
himself with promises to the people
tnat he would study them arter elec,
tion.
Since 1891 when the bonds were
issued for the purpose Of installing
the sewerage system, ADLER financiers
than myself have preceded me in
the office of mayor without provid-
ing sinking fund. | have repeated
~ urged council to give this sui iect
Its consideration, which thev have
failed to dc on account of the float
Ing Indebtedness of the city. O call
attention to the published statement
OF last year, in which special stress
was laid on this particular item).
AS TO the statement of $4,000 IN
PAID and overdue vouchers in the
treasurers office on the 1st instant
council has seen fit through action
OF unanimous vote at its last meet |
ing, to correct this misleading sta,e- |
ment
Floating Indebtedness.
LEI us take this back to the wear
1900, in which this item was increas-
ed Sll,97O.GO, owing to extraordinary
expenses That year such as the com |
pieton cf the hospital. purchase of
t1e steam roller, new boilers for the
HplmpAhg station, appropriation Tor
the A., b. & A. passenger depot /
smallpox and quarantine and etc.
amounting to $30,665.25
In 1906 the floating Indebtedness
was reduced $7,S0S.3S.
In 1907 (Symmcns' administration
the floating Indebtedness was also
reduced.
IN 1908 the reduction of the float |.
ing Indebtedness was only $3,422.92. |
due to the fact that the prohibition
law reduced the revenue of the city
$4,000 and the tax rate reduction
IN that year (the lowest ever paid bv
the taxpayers and still prevailing). /
made further reduction of $4,000 |
a total reduction in revenues of on.
proX:mately $26,50O.
In 1909 the floating Indebtedness
was increased S1S,3O044. In that
year the majority of council led. or
rather misled by Clerk Russell. did