The Estimate of the Finance Committee of the City Council of taxes proposed for the present year, returned at the recent meeting of that body, has caused the tax- paying portion of the community seriously to consider their position as members of the body politic. For several years past the Council, so far as we are advised, has in no instance refused the application of any of the city employees for an increase of salary when asked for, and that class, as employees, now, we believe, receive a much greater rate of compensation, in a majority of instances, than they could obtain in any other employment, private or otherwise. Of course there are exceptions. Besides this the Council, during the time referred to, has been prompt to vote expenditures asked for.--That body will at its next meeting, no doubt, arrange the tax list, and it is to be hoped that no increase of the per centum will be made unless an imperative necessity shall call for it. If the Council husbands the resources of the city, consolidates rather than create new offices, and pursues a rigid system of economy, we need not fear a perceptible increase of taxes for the present, or heavy municipal debt looming up as a bug-bear in the future. The recently returned estimate provides for an increase of taxation equal, we believe, to 20 per cent. At the present time persons can save 10 per cent, of the amount of taxes assessed by prompt payment. Now, if the amount for speedy payment be reduced to 5 per cent., the present tax list need not be more than 12 or 15 cents higher than that of last year. If this course is pursued, in a few months, no doubt, city bonds will be at par, and then all will be well. Excessive taxation is to be avoided, because it depresses the energies of our people.
