The custom of observing the principle of non-partisanship in municipal politics, inaugurated at the first city election, has proven a wise policy and beneficial to the community.

  The city has also benefitted by having the continuous services of some of the principal officers and the heads of the departments - notably the clerk and treasurer, attorney, superintendent of streets and superintendent of water works. A11 of these officials have served eight years, except the city attorney who has served six years, The remuneration of the mayor and alderman for their services to the city has proven to be a step in the right direction. Moderate salaries are paid to the other city officials who have rendered the city excellent service in their respective positions.
 

  In the control and management of city affairs from the office of mayor down to the minor officers, the best executive and business qualifications have been demanded and met in the public service. Honesty and economy have characterized the administration of the government.

  Conservatism in the expenditure of public funds has prevailed, but not to the extent of preventing desirable and necessary improvements in all lines of public works. The city government has been liberal and progressive in providing new bridges and new school buildings, better roads and sidewalks, and for the extension of the water works and sewer system. Marked improvements have been made in all these directions since Montpelier became a city.

  The city is lighted throughout by electric arc lights which are suspended at the middle of the road ways. Some eighty lights are in use at the present time, which together with a number of arc incandescent lamps illuminate the principal streets throughout the city.

  The distance covered by lighted streets equals about twenty miles. The city contracts for these lights on a "moonlight schedule" with the Consolidated Lighting Company.

  Montpelier is a wealthy city. Its assessed property valuation constituting the grand list is larger in proportion to the population than that of any other town or city in Vermont. It ranks as the third city in the State in the appraised value of its real estate and personal property. At the same time it has the advantage of a comparatively low rate of taxation.

  The assessed valuation of all taxable property in the six wards of Montpelier, in 1901, was $5,122,763.

  The total valuation of the real estate, personal property and polls of the town of Montpelier in 1891, was $3,766,729.

  The total real estate valuation in the six wards of Montpelier, in 1901, was $3,064,930. In the same territory in 1891 the assessed value of real estate was $1,995,300. This shows a gain of $1,069,630 in ten years.

  Personal property shows an increase of $149,404 during this period.

  The total number of taxable polls in the city of Montpelier in 1901, was 2,070. In 1891 the number was 1,269, including what is now ward Six. This shows a gain of 801 taxable polls in ten years. 

  The increase in the grand list of the city since 1895 has been nearly $1,500,000. The last assessed valuation of the real estate, personal property and polls under the town government, in 1894, was $3,680,787.  In 1895 the first year under the new city government the total valuation was $3,753,213. The assessed valuation each year since then has been as follows: 1896, $3,777,274; 1897, $3,800,489; 1898, $3,956,947; 1899, $4,779,539; 1900, $5,003,721, and in 1901, $5,122,763.

  The total amount of taxes assessed in Montpelier for the town, village and school districts, in 1890, was 185 cents on the grand list. In 1891, it was 175 cents; in 1892, 160 cents; in 1893, 135 cents. (No village tax was assessed in 1893) and in 1894, 172 cents. In 1885 the rate of taxation under the new city government was fixed at 156 cents on the Grand list. The tax rate was reduced the year following to 150 cents, where it has since remained.
 

  The real estate values of Montpelier are 25 per cent higher than the appraised valuation. The system of taxation in the city of Montpelier is such that on the first day of February annually, the tax account is settled.

  The tax list of 1901 amounted to $77,000 in round numbers. These taxes have all been collected with a shrinkage of only $276, a portion of this sum being for clerical errors and abatements for deceased tax payers. Consequently no bad tax bills are carried over. The same system is in practice regarding every class of assessments. At the present time there is not a dollar owed the city of Montpelier for taxes or assessments levied in 1901, or in previous years.

  Under the amended charter the expenditures each year must be kept within the tax voted by the tax payers.
 
 

To be continued.

Transcribed by Karima, 2002