The Laurens advertiser. (Laurens, S.C.) 1885-1973, 1913-01-22

way TO encourage ltS growth Is Tor the
young folks 10 see what Is being done
with 1t In other states and to see what
can be done with 1t In South Carolina
The, schools Of Laurens county, we
hope, will make some provision for
those children who show a desire to
attend. The teachers should encour-
age their attendance In every way
possible.
SHALL WE RAISE THE TAX LEVY
AGAIN2
AS the time approaches for the cleo
ton of city officials, The Advertiser
thinks that it would not be out of
place to direct the attention Of the
citizens to few facts for their con-
sideration. We hope to be able to
make ourselves plainly understood and
to make the present situation clear.
In the outset it might as well be
plainly stated that the issue in the
Forthcoming campaign will be whether
or not the city is to continue the ex-
tension of the electric lighting system
until the tax levy must be raised to
meet the power bill 1t is we'll known
that further extension Of the electric
light system would shortly throw an
additional tax of $4,000 per year on
the citizens.
We would like to say that The Ad-
vertiser has no grudge against ar.
body in this matter nor has it any de-
sire to cripple any man or CORPORA
ton nor to deprive anybody Of Job.
We only want to diagnose" the pres
ent situation so that If the citizens
think it should be "doctored" they can
doctor it or that If they think it is
alright they can continue it. AS to our
personal desire in this matter, they
are as all others should be, that the
city should be run properly, economi-
cally, fearlessly, impartially, progress
sively and in a businesslike manner.
We want to draw attention TO the
reports published by the city council
for 1911 and 1912, both Of which an
peared in The Advertiser last week.
These reports Ohe first one was pub
lished last year, were the only ones
laid before the taxpayers since 1908.
We are given to understand that
council is very proud of the report of
1912.
TO the average citizen with time too
precious to deal in mathematics, these
statements are puzzle. 1t would
take an expert bank examiner to solve
them. If The Advertiser had not vol
unteered to print last years report
alongside this years even q bank ex-
aminer couldn't have told much about
the city's government. We have no
complaint to make as to the clerical
work in the report, but as to the form
required and issued by the council
There are apparently three things
that the council could be proud Of In
the report. Apparently. Two of them
are not quite as creditable as a first
glance would lead one to believe and
the other appears to us to be praise
worthy. The first two are the reduc-
ton in the outstanding Indebtedness
Cbills payable and accounts payable)
and the apparent increase in the Sur
plus" (Which very pew people un-
derstand). We say this is only
apparent. The other thing, the
really praiseworthy part of the re-
port, Is the reduction of accounts
owed the city (water bills, light bills,
licenses, etc.
AS to the reduction Of outstanding
Indebtedness: How was 1t accomplish
ed? According to the report of Sept
20, 1911
Bills Payable .. E. IS 17,823.91
Accounts Payable :. =. 11,7O2.51
Total :. =. =. IS 29,526.42
According to the report OF Sept. 20,
1912:
Bills payable (notes) IS 1S,254.81
Accounts payable( open
accounts -. =. E. 2,235.S2
Total =. E. 81 2O,49O.63
Difference:
s 29,526.42
20,490.63
q nor IN