The Ocala evening star., 1915-03-18


point where it can be greatly increas-
ed; and we think they win be very
foolish if they allow it to pass out of
their control.
Now, let US consider the amend
ments that will be asked for by the
council. Some of these amendments
are much needed, some needed not so
much, and some maybe not needed at
all. But they are asked for by the
council, made up of men elected to fill
their positions by the votes of their
fellow citizens; while it may not be
improper, even tho it be a little un-
kind, to remark that Mr.. Camp has
not been elected to help govern the
city, either in Ocala or Tallahassee.
The first of the amendments is as
follows:
That all taxes which are levied by
said city upon real and personal prop
erty shall be collected substantially
in the same manner provided by law
for the collection of state and county
taxes, or that may be hereafter pro-
vided, in so far as the same is appli-
cable; that the city council of said
city shall be the equalization board for
said city IN such matters and that it
shall be empowered to provide by or
dinance for the hearing and adjusting
of all complaints in such matters, and
for the time Of assessing and collect
ing such taxes, the opening and clos
ing of the tax books, the duties of
the tax assessor in relation to the re-
turn and assessment of property, in
addition to the powers already con-
ferred in such matters upon said
council; that any property not taxed
for any year by reason of omission or
error, or that escaped the payment of
the taxes for any year by reason of
such error or omission shall be taxed
the next ensuing year for both the
tax for the year in which such error
or omission occurred in addition to
the taxes for such ensuing year.
We do not see why any man who is
willing to honestly bear his share of
the public burdens should object to
this, and it will make the load of hon
est taxpayers easier to carry by COM
pelling the dishonest ones to come
across.
II.
To empower said city to levy a spe-
cial tax annually not to exceed one
mill on all property taxable by said
city, for the maintenance or assist
ance of hospitals, band concerts, and
rest rooms within the corporate limits
of said city, and to secure publicity
for said city.
This amendment may be turned
down, but it is for good purpose, and
the amount it would make each one
pay would be too slight for anyone to
notice. Some of the greatest cities of
Europe have had such enactments in
their laws for many years, and the
people have approved of them.
III.
To empower said city to furnish
| electric current and power to all per-
sons either within or without the cor
porate limits of said city that the
city council of said city shall see fit;
to build, operate and maintain cleo
trio trolley lines either within or with
out the corporate limits of said city
for the transportation of passengers
and freight, and to make such charges
| for such transportation as said coun-
| Gil shall see fit, and to issue bonds in
accordance with law for such purpos-
es as in the case of other municipal
purposes.
If the city is to continue to own
and operate it's own electric plant, of
course this amendment is needed, and
it is not likely to be opposed by any
body who favors the city retaining
such control. 1t will cripple the use
fulness of our city plant and detract
from its revenue if it is not allowed
to furnish current for all factories
and trolley lines that may be operat-
ed, not only in the corporate limits
but anywhere in the nearby territory
IF Mr.. Camp opposes this, his reason
will be obvious.
".
To empower said city to make and
enter into contracts with any of its
own officers until such a time as the
census of population of said city shall
/ show it to contain more than 10000
inhabitants.
The Star is informed that this Sec
ton is contrary to the constitution; il
SO, it is not likely to be pressed fur
ther than bare mention. 1t would be q
convenience to cities the size of Ocala
but it is not vital matter, and no.
body has it much at heart
".
That there shall be a city clerk, q
city treasurer and a city collector
elected annually by the city council in
accordance with law, whose powers
and duties shall be such as shall be
fixed by the city council of said city.
This is only a technical matter, and
we don't suppose anybody objects tc
! it.
VI.
To empower SAID city to issue in
dustrial bonds not TO exceed $4,000
to encourage and assist in the estab-
/ lishment of factories and enterprises
within the corporate limits of said
city, and to make such loans to the
owners or parties interested in such
enterprises or factories as may be ap-
proved bv majority of the bond trus-
tees of said city, provided the interest
| charged on such loans Is not to be less
than the interest paid on such bonds.
The gentlemen who originated this
| had the best interests of the citv al