The weekly pioneer and Democrat. [volume] (Saint Paul, Minn. Territory) 1855-1865, 1856-05-15

The returns from the different wards, fol
ward officers, were then canvassed, and the re
suit declared BY resolution, those person,
who received the highest number Of votes fol
the different city and wSrn 5tiics, wefrdecizncd
duly elected.
The oath OF Office was then administered Ia
Hon GEO. l.. BrcKKR, Mayor elect, by c. 8
CAVE, Esq., the senior member Of the Council
Messrs. ExKRsox. RYAN, NJ GRoARrY, RAucH
BRANCH and ScHuMrRR were sworn into otiics
by the Mayor.
The new Council being organized, Mayor
BEcEsR delivered the following inaugural I'D
dress
GESrLrxRN or THE COMMON CouScL:
We commence to-day the third year Of ths
political existence Of the City Of st. Paul.
Before enumerating the measures which
desire TO coumend 10 your confederation, il
may not be improper for me TO state, briefly,
what hes been accomplished by the corporAte
authorities OF the city and the claims which
the municipal government has upon the conf
,iencs and sympathy Of our citizens.
On the Pod day Of May. 1854, the Comp.
troller made report to the Common Council
Of the financial condition Of the infant city.
From this report it appears that OF the very
outset we inherit IN acknowledged indebtedness,
amounting in the aggregate to S7,359,S7.
Aside from this amount, there were numerous
factorily settled. the sum Of which added to
L. ~ -laI<-
ities would swell the total indebtedness Of the
City, at that date, TO over $4,000.
The amount Of revenues left us by the town
government, a. appears from the same report,
WAS, nommaHy, S3,l70,G0 This amount,
which was due for unpaid taxes OF 1852 and
1853, subsequent experience has demonstrated
to be almost entirely unavailable. When We
add to the foregoing statement the TACT that
there was no public property Of any descrip.
ton no public credit no streets graded; no
sidewalks built; that the authorities, strangers
to each other and unskillcd in municipal legis-
lation, were about organising under new and
untried charter, il will he acknowledged that
the prospect was dark and gloomy indsed.
The Report Of the Comptroller, dated May
lst, 1856, shows how the City Government has
discharged its financial responsibilities from
this document it appears that the receipts, from
March Goth, 1855, to May LIST, 1856, (exclu-
sive Of tees for collscting,) amounted to ST..
142,l5 The Expenditures for the same pc
Rod were Sl7,309,7l. Our ASSETS are 49,
1918. Our liabilities are 81 .925,l5-leav.
ing balance in favor Of the city. on the LIST
dsy Of May, 1856, Of S7,794,Ss-of which
amount S3,2S3,s0 belongs to the different
wards for special purposes, and the balance,
A,5ll, ls, belongs to the common Treasury.
In addition, it may be proper TO say that the
city government is thoroughly organized; the
evee accommodations have been greatly CO.
lsrged and improved our streets are being
graded sidewalks are extending in every d.
rectiou we have the nucleus Of IN efficient fire
department the public credit is placed upon
firm basis, and peace and good order are the
happy companions Of that prosperity. both In
dividual and corporate. which extends itself
throughout our borders.
Under our city charter, gentlemen you are
called upon TO act in two capacities: LIST. As
Street Commissioners oil your respective wards.
I'd. As members Of the Common Council and
Aldermen for the city OF large.
As Street Commissioners you are enabled to
act independently OF each other and are aa-
thorized to carry out snch local improvements
As the wants and interests OF your respective
wards demand.
Ia this capacity it viii be your first duty to
meet BY wards and organize the diferent
boards- and strongly urge upon you the ne
css.ity .of appointing a competent clerk in
each ward, that tall record OF all your trans
actions may be preserved. Minutes Of every
meeting should he kept and q full and complete
i