USA > California > Alameda County > History of Alameda County, California : including its geology, topography, soil, and productions > Part 85
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On August 10, 1874, an ordinance for the re-organization and government of the Fire Department was passed; and, in 1876, a fire-alarm telegraph was completed. On January 21, 1878, the office of Fire Marshal was created.
It is unnecessary further to pursue this theme. "Tall oaks from little acorns grow." This has been the history of the Oakland Fire Department, a branch of the municipal government of the city that cannot be too carefully fostered. It is not
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HISTORY OF ALAMEDA COUNTY, CALIFORNIA.
requisite that we should here enumerate the names of the different fire companies, for their histories will be found separately given at the end of this chapter; suffice it to say that they all are in a state of high efficiency, and on all occasions when called upon render valuable service.
On the 25th April M. M. Howe, late City Marshal, made his report :-
"GENTLEMEN: I have the honor to make the following report :-
Total amount of taxes collected by me is. .$1,959 58
F. K. Shattuck & Co., taxes marked paid by order of Council 76 50
$2,036 08
Less my legal fees
305 41
$1,730 67
F. K. Shattuck & Co., taxes, etc.
76 50
Total amount due the city. $1,654 17
Annexed is a list of property, the taxes on which remain unpaid.
Respectfully, etc., M. M. HOWE, City Marshal and Tax Collector.
Under date April 21, 1855, Marshal Howe communicates the following letter to the Council :-
" Since the making of the above report I have paid back to Dr. de Tavel thirteen dollars and forty-five cents, he having presented to me a receipt for the same property. There also remains (not yet paid in by Mr. Crocker) thirty-four dol- lars and ninety-three cents, making forty-eight dollars and thirty-eight cents, to be deducted from one thousand six hundred and fifty-four dollars and seventeen cents, leaving the sum of one thousand six hundred and five dollars and seventy-nine cents to be paid to the city, which amount is in my hands in Fire Department scrip. I herewith transmit papers from the Sheriff to me, for your attention and await any orders from your Honorable Body."
Accompanying the above report there were two copies of executions; one issued out of the Third Judicial District Court in favor of Hill, Hassington, and others, dated February 6, 1855; the other, issued out of a Justice Court, Brooklyn Township, dated Clinton, March 3, 1855.
This report was referred to the Judiciary Committee, who, May 2d, made their statement as follows :-
"The Judiciary Committee to whom was referred the report of M. M. Howe, late City Marshal, of April 21st, and received by the Council April 28th, beg leave to report that they have examined the same, and regret to find it entirely unsatisfactory, as to the finances of the city and the money in his hands. He does not set forth from whom he has received taxes, nor in what sums, in detail, nor is the same accompanied with the official books which he is bound to deliver to his successor, or surrender them to the Council. It alleges that he has appropriated to his own use three hundred and five dollars and forty-one cents of the city's money, which he assumes is the amount of his legal fees, whereas it is his duty to pay over into the City Treasury the whole money collected, and present his bill for services to be properly audited. It alleges that all the money collected by him, and now in his hands, is all in city scrip of the Fire Department Fund, without specifying in what sums received, or from whom. Your Committee therefore deem the said report
603
OAKLAND TOWNSHIP-CITY OF OAKLAND.
entirely unsatisfactory, and they recommend that legal proceedings be instituted against Mr. Howe and his sureties on his official bond, to enforce from him a legal compliance with his duty as late Marshal."
On January 9, 1856, he, however, paid his balance to the Treasurer, amounting to one thousand six hundred and thirteen dollars, being the sum due by him for col- lected taxes during the fiscal year 1854-55. On the 16th of the month last men- tioned the City Treasurer reported a balance in money and scrip of two thousand nine hundred and eighty-five dollars and forty cents, a decided improvement in the state of the city's finances.
Let us for a moment turn to the defaulting ex-Marshal, John Hogan. On Feb- ruary 20, 1856, Messrs. Talcott and Durkee and Mr. Webb laid claim to the reward of two thousand dollars for his apprehension, but this the Council declined to enter- tain, as they had reason to believe that Hogan had returned to the State with the especial intention of surrendering himself to the authorities, and settling his affairs. This he apparently never did, for it appears on record, under date December 28, 1859, that the Council resolved "that Malachi Fallon and Michael O'Grady be, and are hereby released as sureties on the official bond of John Hogan, late City Marshal and Tax Collector of the City of Oakland, on their paying to the Treasurer of said city all costs and charges and all expenses incurred by the said city in the prosecution of said suit and now pending in the District Court, Third Judicial District, and on the payment of such costs and expenses, the said sureties shall be released and the said action on behalf of the city be dismissed." On June 27th S. B. McKee presented his bill for two hundred dollars legal services rendered at the instance of the city in bringing suit upon the bond of Hogan, and attending to the same to the City Coun- cil, who thereupon passed the following resolution :-
WHEREAS, The City Council of Oakland did, on the 28th day of December, 1859, pass a resolution provid- ing for the release of the sureties upon the bond of John Hogan, formerly Marshal of said city, upon certain conditions therein set forth, and on the 15th of February, 1860, passed another resolution authorizing the City Treasurer to receipt for certain costs and charges which accrued in the suit instituted by the city against said Hogan and his sureties, and it appearing that the conditions set forth in said first passed resolution have not been complied with, therefore,
Resolved, That the said resolution passed on the 28th day of December, 1859, and the said resolution passed on the 15th day of February, 1860, be and are hereby repealed.
On March 19, 1856, the City Treasurer made the following report showing the state of the city funds for the year ending March 5, 1856 :-
Total amount of accounts audited, including interest on the"Funded Debt of the city since the 5th day of March, 1855 $8,475 66 Total amount of accounts audited by the Council and contracted before the 5th of March, 1855. . .. $1,151 62 Total expense of the Funded Debt, including interest, engraving bonds, salary of Funding Commissioners, stationery, etc .. 3,016 25 4.167 87 $4,307 79
Leaving the actual expenses of the past year, including salaries of school teach- ers at the sum of four thousand three hundred and seven dollars and seventy-nine cents.
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HISTORY OF ALAMEDA COUNTY, CALIFORNIA.
RECEIPTS.
Received from J. P. M. Davis, City Marshal and Tax Collector. $3,150 00
66 " M. M. Howe, late Tax Collector, in money 15 00
In scrip, and interest allowed on the same. 1,598 00
From Funding Commissioners-Received on bonds. 2 62
Received for License on Dogs. . 5 00
66 from County Treasury for Schools. 532 24
$5,302 86
EXPENDITURES.
In scrip ordered canceled Feb. 20, 1856.
1,598 00
Paid to school teachers
532 24
66 on general accounts, appropriated September 17, 1855.
1,408 50
66 interest on $21,200.00, city bonds
742 00
4,280 74
Total blance in Treasury
1,022 12
Amount of the above set apart for interest on Funded Debt.
1,008 00
Leaving a balance of
$14 12
Amount of property assessed the fiscal year 1855-56 is
$426,577 00
66 taxes on the same is.
$6,390 66
Money received from Tax Collector on the same is.
3,150 00
Leaving a balance to be collected of.
$3,240 66
Which, if collected, will leave a balance in the l'reasury, after paying all expenses of the past year, interest, etc., of. .
$216 86
On March 12, 1869, in his message to the Council, Doctor Merritt, as Mayor, made a most exhaustive statement of the financial condition of the city. The amount in the Treasury on March 1, 1868, was six thousand two hundred and twenty-seven dollars and ninety-seven cents, while her total indebtedness reached the sum of sixty- two thousand and seventy-two dollars and ninety-one cents, but which was increased until on March 1, 1859, it reached the amount of one hundred and ten thousand four hundred dollars.
In the mean time the debt increased, and called forth the following observations from a committee appointed to ascertain the amount of such: " It is the unanimous opinion of your Committee that means must be adopted to liquidate the city's float- ing indebtedness that has been ignominiously brought upon her by those who were too sanguine in the rapid development of the future of Oakland, resulting in the lamentable fact that with her annual interest and municipal expenses she finds herself pecuniarily embarrassed and wholly beyond the power to honor the bills of her employés when they are due. Therefore it is the opinion of your Committee that immediate meas- ures be taken to dispose of some of the city's unproductive property, and the proceeds be applied to cancel her present floating indebtedness, and again place her in a position of solvency, whereby the bills of her salaried officers would be honored and respected when presented for payment. And in order to have our municipal government respected at home and abroad, her bills must be honored, and a rigid course of economy inaugurated by all of her public servants in the future.
" Your Committee have taken under careful consideration, and have advised with his Honor, the Mayor, regarding the disposal of one or more of the public plazas, but fears are entertained that the city's power to transfer her title is so vested that it may be the entering wedge to future litigation, should the attempt be made to use them for any other purpose than that for which they were intended by the donor.
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OAKLAND TOWNSHIP-CITY OF OAKLAND.
"To increase our Funded Debt seems to be at least an unwise and short-sighted policy, as the property-holders are already laboring under the oppressive weight of taxation, that no other people are, in the State, save one exception-Sacramento. We are already paying interest on one hundred and eighteen thousand seven hun- dred dollars, and should it be materially augmented, it is but reasonable to ask, when would our taxation be less, and when could we pay the principal unless our percentage on taxation was increased? And in view of the many obstacles that have arisen in the minds of your Committee to devise some way to pay the floating indebtedness of the city-they can see only one satisfactory way by which it may be done, and that is to have a Legislative power vested in the guardians of the city, and dispose of the City Hall, and with the proceeds pay the bills now knocking at the door of our Tre .sury for admittance."
According to Mayor Spaulding, and the reports of the City Treasurer and Assessor, the following will show the financial condition of the city :-
ASSESSMENT OF THE CITY OF OAKLAND.
YEAR.
TAX.
ASS'D VALUE.
1863-64 $1.00
$ 794,121
1 864-65
1.00
970, 125
1865-66
1.00
1,107,940
I866-67
.60
1,434,800
1867-68
1.00
1,832,428
1868-69
1.00
3,363,478
1869-70
1.25
4,256,702
1870-71
1.25
4,563,737
1871-72
1.25
5,300,000
1871-72
1.25 Subsequent (estimated).
200,000
1871-72
City Property.
$ 33,120
Improvements on same.
44,000
Stricken from Roll.
77,120
Which added to. .
5,500,000
Makes a Sum Total for 1871-72.
$5,577,120
The Treasurer's report shows the total indebtedness of the city September 1, 1871, to be two hundred and ninety-two thousand one hundred and thirty dollars and forty cents, as follows :
Old Funded Debt.
$ 18,400 00
City Hall Bonds . ..
50,000 00
Carpentier's Judgment Bonds.
16,000 00
School Bonds of 1868.
50,000 00
New Funded Debt of 1870.
70,000 00
School Bonds of 1870.
50,000 00
Total amount of Funded Debt.
$254,400 00
FLOATING DEBT.
Warrants ..
$ 10,00 000
Salary Bills unpaid.
11,268 26
Miscellaneous Bills.
5,974 32
Gas Bills ..
8,616 98
City Hall Bills
1,870 84
Total
$ 37,730 40
$292,130 40 Making the sum total.
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HISTORY OF ALAMEDA COUNTY, CALIFORNIA.
CITY PROPERTY.
(Taken at its cost, and upon which there cannot be much depreciation in value.)
City Hall Lot and Buildings. .$72,000 00
School Lots 35,406 00
School Buildings. 67,730 00
Water Front property (estimated value). 35,000 00
Fire Department property.
12,731 00
Total (exclusive of school furniture and other personal effects of the city) $222,867 00
The value of all the taxable property within the limits of the city of Oakland, as shown by the assessment for 1875-76, was twenty-two millions two hundred and seven thousand four hundred and ninety-nine dollars, the rate of taxation being eighty-eight cents on one hundred dollars' worth of property, giving a gross reve- nue of one hundred and ninety-five thousand four hundred and twenty-five dollars and ninety-nine cents. This tax was collected to within a few hundreds of dollars; the penalty of five per cent. being paid by delinquents having more than compensated for this deficiency.
In the beginning of the year 1876 the funded debt amounted to six hundred and sixty-four thousand four hundred dollars, on which there was interest amounting to fifty-five thousand six hundred and eighty-eight dollars per annum. Of this one hun- dred and sixty-six thousand dollars was incurred for the construction of the Lake sewer. The interest on these bonds was thirteen thousand two hundred dollars per annum; but these items should properly be deducted from the sums first stated, which would leave the actual debt then existing at four hundred and ninety-nine thousand four hundred dollars, on which the annual interest would be forty-two thousand four hundred and eighty-eight dollars. Thus it will be seen that the debt was but two and one quarter per cent. on the assessed value of the property within the limits of the city.
The amount of cash on hand January 1, 1875, was one hundred and twenty-seven thousand six hundred and five dollars and eleven cents.
The total amount of cash received by the Treasurer during the calendar year 1875, including the sale of Sewer Bonds, was four hundred and seventy-nine thousand eight hundred and eighteen dollars and ninety-three cents. The total amount of dis- bursements was four hundred and fifty-one thousand four hundred and twelve dollars and sixty-six cents; the cash on hand January 1, 1876, amounted to one hundred and fifty-six thousand and fifty-six dollars and thirty-eight cents. Besides the revenue from direct taxation, the city received thirty-two thousand nine hundred and fifty-two dollars and fifty cents from the sale of licenses; ten thousand and eighty-four dollars and fifty-five cents from fines collected in the Police Court; fifty-one thousand two hundred and twenty-six dollars and sixteen cents school money from the State and County, and for the tuition of non-resident pupils; and five thousand three hundred and fifty-two dollars and twenty-seven cents from other sources.
The current expenses for the year were eighty-five thousand five hundred and twenty-eight dollars and fifty cents; while an engine-house was erected at a cost of thirteen thousand seven hundred and thirty dollars and twenty cents. Of this state of affairs Mayor Webber says: "The existence of a debt is an evil, and can nearly always be avoided by the practice of a little self-denial. Many cities would have been pros-
607
OAKLAND TOWNSHIP-CITY OF OAKLAND.
perous but for, such an incubus, and at this late date it is superfluous to submit the rea- sons that have caused so decided a change in public opinion. School houses, engine- houses, and other municipal improvements that will be needed almost every year can be paid for out of the current revenues without difficulty. There is only one contin- gency where the issue of bonds will be necessary. I refer to the purchase of water- works.
"It will hereafter be an easy task for the Council to continue the present healthy financial condition of the city, the difficulties that proved so formidable in the past having been removed. With no floating indebtedness, and with sufficient funds to meet the demands for the year, it would be impossible to present a more satisfactory exhibit."
In concluding the subject of city finances, we will now give a short sketch of the different city bonds.
BONDS OF 1868 .- This issue was authorized by the Act of the Legislature, approved April 26, 1858, which provides for the funding of the legal indebtedness outstanding on May 1, 1858, not previously funded, and for the exchange of any unre- deemed bonds issued under the Act of April, 1855. These bonds had twenty years to run, and bore interest at seven per cent. per annum, payable semi-annually in Jan- uary and July. Provision was made for the interest by an annual tax on the assess- able property of the city; and for the payment of the principal an additional tax, equal to one-half of the amount then outstanding, was authorized to be levied in each of the years 1876 and 1877.
SCHOOL BONDS, 1868 .- Amount, $50,000. Authorized by an Act March 13, 1868. These bonds were made redeemable at any time within ten years, and bore interest at ten per cent., payable annually in January. For the payment of the interest an annual tax was authorized, and for the redemption of the principal an additional tax not to exceed ten cents on each one hundred dollars of the assessable property of the city might be levied, the amount derived therefrom to constitute a redemption fund. Whenever the fund amounted to one thousand dollars or more, it was to be appropriated to the liquidation of the bonds at the lowest rates (not more than par value) offered by the holders thereof. Should a balance remain, it was to be appropriated to the liquidation of bonds in the order of their issue, which, if not pre- sented after due notice, the interest thereon should cease. In each of the years 1875 and 1877 a tax was authorized sufficient to pay one-half of the amount outstanding.
CITY HALL BONDS, 1868 .- Amount $50,000. Authorized by Act March 19, 1868. Redeemable at any time within fifteen years, and bore ten per cent. inter- est, payable annually in January. For the payment of the interest and prin- cipal the same provisions were made as are contained in the School Bond Act of March 1.3, 1868, except the time for levying the tax for the final redemption, which was fixed in the years 1880 and 1882 respectively.
JUDGMENT BONDS, 1868 .- Amount, $16,000. Authorized by Act of March 28, 1868. Issued to E. R. Carpentier in satisfaction of a judgment against the city.
608
HISTORY OF ALAMEDA COUNTY, CALIFORNIA.
The same provisions and guarantees that are contained in the City Hall Bond Act of March 19, 1868, regulates the issue, and payment of the principal and interest of these bonds.
SCHOOL BONDS, 1870 .- Amount, $50,000. Authorized by Act March 24, 1870. Redeemable at any time within ten years, and bearing ten per cent. inter- est, payable quarterly in January, April, July, and October. For the payment of the principal and interest, the same provisions apply as are contained in the School Bond Act of 1868, except the tax levied for the final redemption of the bonds, which were to be made in the years 1877 and 1879 respectively.
BONDS, 1870 .- (To pay certain claims.) Amount, $70,000 Authorized by Act of March 24, 1870. Redeemable in twenty years, and bearing ten per cent. interest per annum, payable in January and July. For the payment of the interest a property tax is authorized, and for the liquidation of the principal a sinking fund is provided for the proceeds of an annual tax (to commence in 1880) of ten cents on each one hundred dollars of the assessable property of the city. Whenever this fund, after the payment of the annual interest, should amount to two thousand dollars, it was to be appropriated to the liquidation of these bonds at the lowest rates (not more than par value) offered by the holders thereof. In the event of this fund not being exhausted after a stated time, the balance shall be appropriated to the payment, at par, of the bonds in the order of their issue, which, if not presented at due notice, the funds for the payment of the same shall remain in the Treasury, and the interest thereon cease from that date.
SCHOOL BONDS, 1872 .- Amount $50,000. Authorized by Act, March 18, 1872. Redeemable in twenty years and bearing eight per cent. interest, payable in January, April, July, and October. For the payment-of the interest a property tax is author- ized, and for the liquidation of the principal a ten per cent. tax is provided for, to commence ten years from the issuance of the bonds, the amount from which shall constitute a Redemption Fund. When this Fund amounts to one thousand dollars or more, it shall be appropriated to the liquidation of the bonds at the lowest rates offered (not above par). Should there not be a sufficient amount of bonds offered to exhaust this fund, the Council may again advertise as before. All moneys remaining in this fund, together with a property tax to be levied in 1891, sufficient to pay the balance of the principal unpaid, shall constitute the final Redemption Fund.
BONDS, 1872 .- (For municipal purposes.) Authorized by Act March 27, 1872, (amount $80,000), redeemable in thirty years, and bearing eight per cent. interest, payable in January, April, July, and October, commencing with October, 1872. For the payment of the interest, an annual property tax is authorized, and, for the pay- ment of the principal, an additional property tax, to commence in 1893, is provided for, of ten per cent. on each one hundred dollars, to create a fund for the redemption thereof. On February 1, 1893, and annually thereafter, when there are more than two thousand dollars over the amount sufficient to pay the interest due on the following April and July, it shall be appropriated to the liquidation of the bonds at the lowest
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Maus Leiders
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OAKLAND TOWNSHIP-CITY OF OAKLAND.
rates offered (not above par). If the amount be not exhausted after a stated time, the balance shall be appropriated to the payment, at par, of the bonds in the order of their issue, which if not presented after due notice, interest thereon shall cease.
OAKLAND BAR BONDS .- By an Act approved March 28, 1868, an issue of bonds of $15,000 is authorized, the proceeds to be applied toward removing obstructions at the mouth of the San Antonio Creek, so as to render the same navigable. The Council are, in addition, authorized to raise annually, by taxation, a sum not to exceed five thousand dollars, to be applied to the same purpose. These have been issued and redeemed.
MAIN SEWER BONDS .- Authorized by Act of March 23, 1874, payable in ten years, and bearing interest at the rate of eight per cent. per annum.
"FLOATING INDEBTEDNESS" BONDS .- ($100,000.) By the " Act to provide for the Liquidation of the floating Indebtedness of the City of Oakland, and to prevent the incurring of farther Debts," approved March 30, 1874, the City Council are authorized to issue and sell bonds of the city of Oakland to the amount of one hundred thou- sand dollars, redeemable July 1, 1905, and bearing interest at the rate of eight per cent. per annum, payable on the second day of October, January, April, and July.
SCHOOL BONDS, 1874 .- ($100,000.) Under provisions of the Act passed March 30, 1874, the City Council of Oakland were authorized to sell and issue bonds to the amount of one hundred thousand dollars, payable July 1, 1905, and bearing interest at eight per cent. per annum, for the purpose of redeeming the bonds issued under the Acts of March 13, 1868, and March 18, 1872.
WATER BONDS .- By the Act entitled "An Act to authorize the City of Oakland to obtain a supply of Water," approved March 30, 1874, the Board of Public Works were empowered to issue bonds of the city of Oakland, payable July 1, 1896, to the amount of eight hundred thousand dollars. No definite action has as yet been taken by the Council to avail itself of these privileges.
BONDS OF 1882 .- ($167,000.) On June 19, 1882, the City Council were author- ized to issue bonds to the amount of one hundred and sixty-seven thousand dollars, under provisions of Cap. 6, Tit. 3, Pt. 4, of the Political Code, to be redeemed October I, 1895. This is the last mention of bonds we have up to the present time in the history of the city of Oakland.
On September 14, 1853, an ordinance was passed establishing a Police Depart- ment for the town of Oakland, the first step taken for officially placing the town under official care. On the 15th October, John McCann appears as Chief of Police for the first time, and on the 18th " An Ordinance supplementary to an Ordinance to organize a Police Department for the Town of Oakland," was passed. On the 5th November provision was made for the erection of a station-house; and, on November 12th, the pay of regular policemen was fixed at one hundred and fifty dollars per month, during the time they actually served, while, on December 24th, seventy-five
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