The weekly Minnesotian. [volume] (Saint Paul, Minn. Territory) 1852-1858, 1856-05-17

nection with this statement we take into
that we are entirely free from
debt, and have an increasing revenue. l
think we need anticipate no trouble in dis
posing of city bonds at fair rate.
There was appropriated the past year out
of the City Treasury, for the care and sup
port of the INDECENT sick in our midst, the
sum of $l,317 20. A committee was APP
pointed to wait upon the Board of Commits
sioners, Ramsey County, for the purpose of
endeavoring to obtain reimbursement, in
whole or in part of the amount. The COM
mittee reported that the county authorities
were unwilling to do anything in the prem
Uses. This body should take some imme-
date steps to prevent recurrence of such
expenditures, on the part of the city gov
eminent. The county annually levies a
heavy tax upon city property, part of
which is intended for the relief and support
Of the poor.
The assessment the last year, within the
city limits, for county purposes was $27,
375 81, an amount larger by nearly $40, 600
than the tax for city purposes, and it is plain
to me either that the county ought to pro-
vide for and support our poor, or else not
tax us for such a purpose. | therefore urge
upon you, gentlemen, to see to it, at an
early day, that the County Commissioners
make an appropriation to be expended by the
city authorities, for the purpose above
named, or that they be called upon to see
to it that the unfortunate people in ou1
midst are carefully and properly provided
for.
The heavy flow of emigration to oul
hn Of no hot
renders the adoption of precautionary sana
tive measures of the highest Importance
The city should be thoroughly cleansed with
out delay, and, in this connection, desire
also to recommend that the City S"rveyol
be required, at an early day, to prepare ant
report to the Council thorough and syste
matte plan for draining the entire city.
| The Fire Department deserves liberal anC
willing support-the company already or
ganized should be placed upon firm footing
and, at least, two fire engines should be pro
vided for the use of the city. The Treasury
of the city warrants the expenditure, anc
the vast amount of property exposed to de-
struction by the devouring element impera
lively demands it.
am informed by the Comptroller that &
tax Of two mills on the dollar will raise :
sufficient revenue for city purposes, for the
current year. | have only to add, by way
of caution, that your expenditure be SO or
dered, and your drafts on the treasury 81
timed, that city orders may be kept con
stantly at par, and that we do not render
ourselves obnoxious to the charge of putting
in CT culation here deprecated paper cur
| rency.
There are many duties and responsibilitie:
pressing upon us which will draw heavily
upon our time and attention. The citizens o
St. Paul desire an efficient government they
willingly submit to taxation for this pur
pose, and will, | am certain, support ant
maintain it, ii we discharge our duties faith
| fully, to the best of our abilities, which W,
have promised to do under the solemnity o
our official oath.
AS for myself, may say that recognize
my obligations under the city charter, ant
shall endeavor to discharge my duty with
out fear, favor or prejudice. The charter re
quires me to see the laws of the TERRITORY
and the ordinances of the city are duly en-
forced and observed, and that the executive
officers of the city discharge their respectv,
duties. In endeavorng to comply with thi
requirement, gentlemen, hope to have you
| dlu anu thC dSSlotdilCc VI every SOOu CltlZol
who values the name and fame of the cit,
of st. Paul.
| have thus brought to your attention
gentlemen of the Common Council, few G
the more prominent matters which will de
mand your attention. Into your hands ar
committe for the time being, the, matera
interests of the city.
Favored by extraordinary natural advan
tages, and smiled upon by that Providenc
which directs the affairs of men, the obscur
western hamlet has, within period short
even in American history, been TRANSFORMED
into teeming busy mart, and the home O
our choice has a name and place anon,
the cities of the land. Without resources
except that courage, industry and enter
prise which is native to the race, the pioneer
of this new land have worked out this re
suit. And in conclusion, have only to ado
that trust that the government which is t.
day inaugurated, will SO discharge it's dut,
and obligations that new impetus will b
given to the prosperity and progress whicl
has crowned our previous history.