Saint Paul weekly Minnesotian. [volume] (Saint Paul, Minn.) 1858-1859, 1858-05-15
civ Council Proceedings.

City Council Proceedings.
The first regular meeting Of the new City
Council was held yesterday, ut the usual
hour and place. The body was call to order
by the President, @. L. Emerson, and alter
usual preliminaries, the new Mayor, N. W.
Kittson, delivered his inaugural message, as
follows:
Mr.. Precedent and Members Of the Commo" Council
take this opportunity to express my high
appreciation of the honor conferred upon me
by the citizens of ST. Paul in selecting me as
their Chief Magistrate and Of returning my
SINGER. thanks for this mark Of their favor
Nv long residence here has enabled me watch,
step by step, the rapid growth and advancing
prosperity and Importance Of this city: Our
population within few years past, has IN
creased at a ratio which is unparalleled, even
in the West and Judging from the vote at our
elections, and other evidence, cannot be less
than fifteen thousand Handsome dwellings
and stores are springing up with unexampled
rapidity costly public buildings are being
erected; and gigantic public improvements and
railroads are about to be commenced at this
point and its vicinity This new and happy
aspect of things must remind us of the ne
cessity of establishing and perfecting an ef-
fective and orderly city government, suited
and adapted to our new wants and our ad-
vanced condition. and in accepting the trust
which has been confded to me, feel that
great responsibility and arduous duties are
incident to it, and that can only promise to
perform this trust to the utmost of my hum
BILE ability
The financial storm, which for time has
threatened us with ruin, is gradually clearing
away; confidence is being restored, and We
have the assurance that the shock which has
deranged our monetary affairs is over. The
past, however, has taught us a severe but use
full lesson, which should apply to our public,
as well as private affairs, and renders us more
yigilant and cautious, though not less energet-
lc in our measures.
By the new city charter which has materi-
ally changed our municipal government, the
Mayor ceases to preside over the Common
Council, or to assist at their deliberations
but new and important duty is imposed
upon him, whereby all ordinances and resO-
tons are submitted to him for approval, be-
fore going into effect-and such ordinances
and resolutions as are disapproved are to be
reconsidered by the Common Council, and
require vote of two-thirds for their passage.
1lS NCtO pONeI ID HUT poocU dS CiiCCk
upon hasty or inconsiderate action of delibe
rative bodies, and, it is needless to say, should
be employed with caution and with strict
regard to the entire public interest.
The Aldermen being chosen by the wards,
represent their local interests respectively, as
well as the city at large but the Mayor being
selected by the city, without reference to its
local divisions, represents the whole as unit
it therefore becomes his duty to exercise his
power with a single eye to the welfare Of the
whole community, unbiased by any local
views or interests. l feel deeply the delicacy
and Importance of my trust in this respect, and
shall direct all my endeavOrs, irrespective of
locality, to discharge it with caution and inn
Partially.
By the new charter, the Mayor has the APP
pointment of the Chief of Police, and Police
officers. The appointment of an effective PO-
lice is a matter of great Importance to us.
The Police should be faithful guardians of the
public peace and order, and should be deter
mined, trusty and prompt.
An active and energetic Police is an Orna-
ment to a city. st. Paul is already becoming
large and populous, and is thronged every sea-
son with visitors from almost every part of the
Union. Those who thus visit us will of course
be favorably impressed, in proportion as our
community is orderly and we'll regulated, and
the rights of citizens carefully guarded and
protected, and will endorse the character Of
our city abroad.
| shall, therefore, bestOw much attention
upon this important subject and shall endea-
vor to make such selections as will carry out
my views as thus expressed. 1t shall be my
aim, as the chief executive officer of the city
and head of the Police, to see that the ordi-
nances of the city, restraining vice and immo-
rality, are strictly and promptly enforced.
With respect to our financial condition and
resources, beg leave to advert to some of
the items embodied in the reports Of our city
officers
1t will be seen by the report of the Comp
troller that the assets and liabilities of the city
of ST Paul stand thus: