The weekly Ottumwa courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1857-1872, 1858-05-13
Mayor Hamilton =
URAJ. ADD IL II IS.


vour deliberations as those whom they have
likewise chosen 10 logis'ate for them, it is,
pcrhaps. due from me on this occasion. in ac-
cordance with long established usage, to sug-
gpst FOR vonr cor liberation matters which to
ny mind may seem especially worthy Of your /
attention R"fore entering thereon, however,
7 would say that il gives me much pleasure to
have this opportunity afforded me, which
most cheerfully accept to return my thanks
to INV Fellow Citizens for the manifestation or
their confidence in me, and the honor they nave
conferred upon me- by selecting me, for this
,espons,ble station, and trust that unwearied
and pcrseverlng efforts on my part to- perform
well my duty and to promote their interests
shall be given as the best evidence OF my sim
cerlty in thanking them for the favor they have
thus bestowed upon me. ..
Our city organization is yet in its infancy;
it may be said that we have hardly passed the
season of trial. Besides, we are in the midst
of general and severe tinanci al depression,
time in which cities, ripe in years, feel most
sensibly the weight of heavy expenditures
Our citizens are, as natural result of these
times, more or less perplexed and embarrassed
IN their own affairs. though it is due to them
to say that perhaps no community in our State
is better prepared to withstand the shock OF
the present financial crisis than is ours. Heavy
taxation is always obnoxious to a people and
peculiarly so during troubled state of the
finances of the country. H. view Of these facts,
7 - thota m
supervision be had of expenses, especially
hose appertaining to the salaries of otic ers,
having in view, at the same time, the necessl-
ty of a thorough administration OF the City
government and the making of such improve
ments, as the comfort aud convenience OF onr
citizens and the best interest of our growing
city demand. And in order that you may be
| iustitie in retrenchinent of expenses and the
adoption of rigid system of economy.
would suggest that YOU make an examination
of the present costs TO the city for the servi-
ces of officers, beginning with yourselves, and
during that examination that You bear in mind
the idea that all iucumbents of offices in our
fs,rrss.Il.. at this time, perform their dut les
lated by the provisions ii gratuitously' IN
gard to the Improvement of our streets. Wrur
recommend that whatever may be done, shoulC
be made with as much permanency in construc
ton as is possible, though it should thereby be
more limited in extent, consulting al the same
time present convenience. In this connection
: | would suggest .l.at much depends upon the
care and wisdom you bestow upon this por.
ton Of your labors. II IS with pleasure that
, refer to the educational interests of our city.
The success already attained in this department
through the efforts of your predecessors is If
a very flattering character, as all will readily
perceive by recurring TO the previous history OF
our Public Schools. 1t is the just pride of very
many model cities of our country, that they
have a complete aud efficient system of Pub
lie Schools at work in their midst. And al
though the recent enactment Of School law
by our State Legislature may have materially
changed your connection with our Schools, |
trust you will still manifest lively interest in
their success and advancement 1t perhaps
may not be amiss to call your attention TO the
necessity there exists, at this season Of the
year, for cleanliness throughout the city. es.
7 pecially in the more thiclily populated portion
of it. The existence OF filth in Our streets and
upon our premises is not only obnoxious TO the
senses. and productive of sickness; but has
tendency to make our city very uninviting to
strangers. Aud here | will make mention
too, (though ii may be treading upon danger
Gus ground) of the pIopriety of having, as at
o. -. III
raj range for numberless swine.
! Finally would invite your attention par
! ticularly to the maintenance Of order and the
suppression of crime and the prevalent vices
of the day, land here gentlemen, Il trust there will
! be unity of action among you. liz this, un-
! questionable, will be found the most delicate
and difficult duties yon will be called upon TO
perforn. In recommending TO you what course
! you should pursue therein, | have simply to
say. follow that with which your own enlight-
ened consciences will best accord.
In all your action suggest that il be Of
character in consonance and in contempla-
| ton of the bright future which awaits our
city. 1t is in consideration of this that have
recommended the making, as far as may be, of
all our improvements of durable character.
| We are situated in the heart. of large and
rich agricultural county, Astounding in nearly
all the natural elements which are most con-
ducive, by proper development, to a rapid
growth and ultimate wealth, and which, to-
gether with our local position in regard to Pub
/ lie improvements must soon give us very prom
inent rank among our sister cities in the State.
/ 1t is no idle remark but fact which cannot
be gainsayed, that there is no city which
bids so fair as does ours, at this time. to become
the greatest Railroad centre in the State. To
make this apparent think only need to in
vite the attention Of any individual to an in
vestigation Of the matter. Ii is hardly neces-
sary TO urge you to be always prompt and un-
firing in your action in such manner as is
| consistent with yoGr official character, in en-
! couraging and forwarding these public improve
ments in which we are deeply interested.
Permit me to say then, Gentlemen. that al
though our present strength and means neces-
sarily circumscrIbes our action to a considera-
bic extent; yet there is abundant work for you
to perform IN laying well the foundation of
our future city and in using and directing