The Davenport daily gazette. [volume] (Davenport, Iowa) 1856-1869, 1857-04-09
Gentlemen Of the Council.

only fecCOmmenu 10 the ccus'upfatici
Of the Council such measures as''in biz
opinion, may tend to the improvement
Of the finances the police, the health
security comfort, aud ornament OF the
City, but also that he shall give inior-
nation of the violation of any City or
dances, and of the neglect Of duty on
the part Of any subordinate officers OF
the CITY.
Believing that the Organic law 81
the City contains such provisions for a
sise aud useful end, aud tina, they i'm
pose upon the Mayor duty, Of which
the Citizens may rightly demand the
performance, and feeling that the best
interests Of the City can in no way be
more advanced than BY acting in the
spirit OF those provisions. ] venture
TO urge upon your consideration those
subject. which in nv opinion claim
attention, and many Of which require
speedy if not immediate action.
FINANCES.
The Tressursr's, Report Of Sis, ult
exhibits very clearly the financial state
OF the City. 1t shows that the Finan.
&c. are in an excellent Condition.
tits q source Of just pride that
thus far in our Municipal history, we
have always been able to meet our OBJ
legations promptly and fully,in eonse'
auence Of which no City in the West
deservedly enjoys better reputation
or credit than our own.
The Treasurer in his report does not
include among the liabilities OF the CT
" the Indebtedness TO the Chicago d
Rock Island r. K. consisting Of Bonds
due May LIST 1853 for $4,000, and
Bonds to Mississippi i Missouri R. R.
due Aug lst 1865 for $4,000. Nor
among the assets ofthe City 500 shares
in Chicago SRI. r. h. $4,000 for
which the Bonds above alluded to
were issued.
|, is . source of qualification that
the issuing Of Bonds to these Rail Road
Companies has been ofsuch vital i'm
portance TO the advancement Of our
City, securing as it did the building OF
these roads, and thus bringing large
accessions to our Municipal populations
wealth and resources, During the past
wear the dividends on the Chicago and
RI. R.R. brought into the Treasury
some 10000. more than enough TO pay
the interest on the Bonds. The liber-
q policy pursued towards these Rail
Roads should be extended to other
public improvements Of equally essen
tial importance TO our City, and full
Is certain to add largely to our prosper
ity.
LOAN OF $4,000.
or the $4,000 loan voted LAST year,
Bonds to amount Of $4,000 only have
been issued. The loan was divided
Is follows: $4,000 for filling out snd
grading Steam Boat Landing, less than
$4,000 of which sum has been as yet
expended. Mr. McCammon has 9
contract for grading Brady and 18th
Streets, and filing up the Leyee. Ac'
cording to the recent estimate Of the
City Engineer 1t viii rot COS. over sl2,
900 TO I'll between Harrison and Bra
dy Streets. The balance Of the money
viii be subjec. to the order Of the
Council. would urge that the Levee
be macsdsmized Is soon as practicable
after the filing in i. completed, in order
to prevent damage By the action Of the
river current.
$4,000 were appropriated for Wa
ter works. 4 Committee have been
making examinations for suitable
grounds, who have from time to time
reported. Although the order for this
loan was made early last summer, no
ground has been decided upon. It is
highly important that measures should
be taken immediately to secure a
proper site for Water Works, ana the
necessary surveying and engineering
done to furnish an estimate OF the cost
Of procuring for the City constant
supply Of pure water. As soon as such
estimates are completed and approx ed
BY the Council, | would urge the issu-
ing Of Bonds for the amount required,
and the building Of said Water Works
At once.
$4,000 for Fire Engines and appa-
rstus. OF this amount $500 viii
have been expended (when the Fire
Engines arrive here, being now on the
way via New Orleans in the purchase
of two Fire Engines and necessary hose
and appendages. The balance can be
expended for lot and Engine House
or towards the building Of Cisterns,
Either will come within the puryiew Of
the loan.
In this connection | would urge a
liberal appropriation to the Fire de-
partment for outfit DC, and that lot
Be purchased and an Engine House
erected as soon as practicable
$4,000 for taking stock IN the "Da-
yenport Gas light and Coke Co"
This was taken with an understanding
that seventy five Street lamps were to
be immediately erected. One semi
annual paymen, Of interest has already
been made and no signs of Street lamps
yet appear Ahe 0as 20. snouiu oe
required al once 70 iuln, ,heir part o.
this agreement. The delay that has
already occurred is unjustifable.
PUBLIC BciLpisGs.
Among the many impor,snt matters
demanding early attention, are the secur-
ing OF q suitable 10, for, and building
thereon, a Hospital Of q cost OF a, least
| $4,000. The securing Of a lot for, 40 d
building 9 city Prison q cost OF sbou,
sane amount. A City Hall With Offices