Public Finances and Government

This information was first published in 1888:

CITY AND COUNTY FINANCES.

BOTH the town and county are in a healthy financial condition. The city this year voted a bonded debt of $50,000, to run 30 years at 5 per cent interest, the bonds were bought at par immediately upon being issued. This issue of bonds was made to enable the city to secure needed internal improvements, and the money thus secured has been judiciously applied. A large tract of beau­tifully wooded land, adjoining Elmwood Cemetery on the west, has been purchased, and is being laid out as a city park. It is meant as an extension of the cemetery grounds, but until this need becomes pressing, it will be used as a park. Beautiful drives and walks have been laid out, rustic bridges constructed across the two flowing streams within its borders, and fountains will be placed at convenient points.

A large portion of the money has been disbursed on permanent street improvements, such as stone curbing, widening, macadamizing, grading the streets, and in the laying of brick and stone pavements, and also in the construction of a complete sewerage system for the city. The rate of taxation in the city is 60 cents on the $100 valuation of real and personal property, and a special tax of ten cents on $100 for school purposes. A tax of 20 cents on the poll is also applied for school purposes. The state and county tax is 67.5 cents on the $100 valuation, and poll tax $1.50. The taxable valuation of the city property is $4,250,000, and of the county $3,500,000. The county always carries a good surplus in the treasury.

CITY AND COUNTY GOVERNMENT.

THE County of Mecklenburg has been fortunate for years past, in the character of the men elected to constitute the Board of Commissioners, for in the hands of these officers the interests of the county are largely intrusted. The present Board consists of Thos. L. Vail, S. H. Hilton, Thos. Grier, J. A. Younts and J. L. Jetton. Mr. Vail is Chairman of the Board, having been re-elected to that position successively for the past nine years. He is supported by four conservative and representative county men, who enjoy the fullest confidence of the people. Mr. Hilton is one of the most prominent farmers of the county, and in addition to his office as commissioner, he is superinten­dent of the county stockade, having in charge the maintainence of the county convict system, and the working of the public roads by convict labor. This system has been in operation for three years, and about 20 miles of public roads have been graded and macadamized under Mr. Hilton's supervision, at a nominal cost to the county. This plan of utilizing the convict labor on the county roads seems to be a good one. The minor criminals, instead of being sent to the penitentiary, are turned over to Mr. Hilton and put to work on the roads of the county. It is estimated that within the next ten years, at the present rate of progress, every public road in the county will be graded and macadamized. The county owns a portable steam engine and rock crusher, by the use of which the work of macadamizing the roads is greatly facilitated. The convicts are comfortably housed and clothed, and are treated humanely. Mr. Vail and Mr. Grier both reside in the city, but own and operate farms in the county. Mr. Younts resides at Pineville and is a merchant and farmer. Mr. Jetton is one of the progres­sive farmers of the county. The board of commissioners is elected annually by the magistrates, or justices of the peace, of the county.

THE CITY OFFICERS are elected by the voters of the city every two years. Hon. F. B. McDowell is the present mayor, and Heriot Clarkson is mayor pro tem, to officiate in the absence of the mayor. The board of aldermen is composed of representative city men as follows: Ward 1, T. R. Magill, J. H. McAden, W. E. Shaw; Ward 2, Col. John L. Brown, J. M. Hagler (colored), John T. Schenck (colored); Ward 3, R. Y. McAden, W. W. Ward, Hannibal Edwards; Ward 4, D. W. Gates, Heriot Clarkson, John J. Gormley. Fred Nash is city clerk and treasurer; W. B. Gooding, city tax collector; W. S. Mallory, cotton weigher; J. S. Withers, cotton inspector; S. G. Strickland, street commissioner and engineer; Dr. F. Scarr, keeper of Elm wood Cemetery; S. Bradley, keeper of Pinewood (colored) Cemetery; Burwell & Walker, city attorneys. The police department consists of eleven men. W. F. Griffith is chief; H. W. Jetton and W. B. Taylor, sergeants, and Wm. McKenzie, J. L. Orr, D. P. Hunter, E. W. Rigler, C. McNeils, Joseph M. Boyte, privates; L. A. Blackwelder, depot policeman; B. F. Presson, sanitary policeman. W. F. Griffith is chief ex officio, of the paid fire department, and O. F. Asbury, fire marshal. The fire depart­ment is thoroughly equipped, having two engines, four hose carriages, one hook and ladder truck, one extension ladder and a full complement of horses to draw the engines, reels and trucks. The men and machines are quartered in houses provided for their especial use, and in which are all the conveniences, including drop harness and electric gongs and contrivances.