, 1862-04-19
Mayor Whitman's Message.

Mr. President and Gentlemen of the Council
In accordance with usage and the daty impose,
upon me by the charter, will in Ms concise and brie
"a manner possible. make such suggestions an,
commend to yOur consideration such measures al
present themselves to me. diversity Of opinion
has existed among citizens III regard to the lrac
ticabitS ofthc act Incorporating our city, Some have
egarded the move on the par OF representa- ives ~
premlture others look upon it as beneficial and wise
Whatever may be The future effect upon the prSper
ty and welfare Of our city, it sufficient that the Beu
pie have proceeded with un~lla nanimitY to comply
with the requirements Of the chatter, and have au-
thorized you execute its intentnn1 purposes ntht
capacity of legislators would premise that to the
discretion and good judgment Of your Board no ttlt
responsibility is in ruseu; the first year will prove
Important in the progress and advanc mem
Of oui city. ut is all important that tile groundwork
shall be well and judicously laid To fully cOmpre
hent the necessities and wants of Our citizens an,
meet the demands that win necessarily be made upon
YOU no little self sacrifice will have be made pol
your part, we'll as theother officers Of the city
shall lend whatever ability possess, and cheerfuill
G. operate with YOU to the fullest extent in inaugural
ing and sustaining such shall be deemed
most eApedent.a ia .'H.
It's obvious all that the charter under which We
are acting is manifestly deficient in some particulars
the most prominent of which the limited boundary
over which the city authority be exercised t,gcth
e with the conflicting dates designated in the char
ter. for holding the annual election. An cngrcsSed
copy of the charter may dy the latter defect the
former will require legislative amendments. 1t VIII
be competent for the Council to suggest such amend
ments of the charter to the next Legislature shall
meet the exgency and at the time lcgalize any
nfornlity that may have occurred in the present Of
ganization OF the city. Otherwise the charter
exte ,dcd powers tn the Council and with judcioIiS
application will confer many privileges and benefits
upon citizens.
Questions nsy arise concerning the citys rights to
portions Of land designated in the charter as the pres
ent boundary Of the city. am, at the present time,
unable to give yOu any particular information as to the
nature OF the rights III question:. In any contingency
IT viii be we'll that Your Board shall fully investigate
tc suAet n .::e :se stc. measures as shall hest sub
serve the interests at the city. lo
The finances of the city will unqnestionably demand
the ri gid scrutiny of the Council both III It's c'ec"n
and its disbursement he charter limits your author
tv tn assess One-nlf of per cent per annun up
on all property made taxable by law for territorial ac
county purposes, with two unesscntal provisions
That this source of will adequ tev meet the
requirements of the treasury, prndenty administered
is obvious To it benefcially and with due regard
to economy in It's application and disbursement for the
public good, must necessarily tax your time and pa
tence.
The many calls that will be made for appropriations
as contemplated in the charter, in my judgment
should take Precedence of subject, for which the
revenue of the city is applicable, to wit the organ
zng and sustaining Of free Schools Other measures,
no doubt, wiil be pressed upon your attention.
would. nevertheless especially recommend that you
perfect. at early day. such measures your Board
shah deem cXpedlent for the purposes of education.
Every reflective and liberal mind, when it takes =
Of every community consequent npon the introduce
tun OF the system Of free schools, embracing the elc-
ientary system as it exists in aim 1T every por
tiOn of the country will not hesitate devote what
ever of revenue or legislation may be necessary to
further the advancement of the rising generation II
is incumbent. upon us, by wise provision Of the
charter provide for the collection OF school fund
and for Us appropriation flr free schools specific
Object To his end hope the Council will mike Il
right commencement and thorough prosecution of
the intent Of the charter lwoud suggest tAat steps
be taken ut to proper binding either By
purchase or lease. and suitable system of education
adopted that shall meet the requirements cf our ct
zens. Once establish in our midst this highest and
most desirable feature OF all enlightened cOmmlnities
you Will attract the better, class Of emigration and
couduce immeaSuraby to the progress and happ-
ness of those already within oni limits. io Ayof ~
IAasmuch as the fiscal year terminates in April it
will be advisable hat soon thereafter ls may he,
the Assessor be instructed make his returns O the
Board of the property taxable within the corporate
limits TO- enahe the incoming Council to meet sDc!.
demandsiipon the treasury thcyshal. deem neceS-
sary.olt is estimated that the taxable properly o. the
city will reach nearly five hundred thousand dollars.
From this amount twenty five hundred dollars can be
realized which, with other sources of revenue will
enable your Board to perfect such measures as you
shall deem most essential. .,et .
The necessity Of active, intelligent police will
demand more than ordinary in its organizatit ~
now hat our city sthrongcdiwth hundreds from al
sections OF the country, route to the gold fields Of
the North 1t becomes our duty to see than go0d or
oar own, shall he carefully guarded and protected
from the eiIcruachmen of evil designing pr Ons
The reputation of city abroad peace and hap
pineSs at home will depend very much upon the eff
cheney AMI character If our Ice organic ltion. b.
ENCOURAGEMENT should lie extended to the already
Orginlzed fire company Of this city coininendable
spirit is manifest on the part of an Independent
fire department.. With proper appreciation Of their
Invaluable services, tile Council will doubt extend
such facilities to them rs shah conlnee to tbeir etf-
cheney and the cy safety from the destruci i've ele
meat that has laid waste 80 many of cities.
The approaches to the city. bh fir pm the north and
the SOUTH need bridging. The creek passing through
the corporate limits needs cleaning out. the channel
strengthening. 10 prevent the annual overflow Of its
banks. ill (unfortunately) for city purposes will
be requisite The latter desideratm is in progress of
construction by the Comfy Commissioners upon the
public square, which VIII meet our wants, provided
the Commissioners will assent to its being used joint
Iy with the eoinry.ilcr s1 +cf ..- LIZ.
An ordinance establishing proper grade for Main
street aiTd walks contiguous. will add much to the
benefit Of those afing bu-ines this thnroughfaie
and increase the value of property in degree CORES
p5ndng to the outhiy. Whether the fluids necessary
or this latter Improvement shall be taken from the
treasury or assessed and collected from the properly
holders upon the street Will be question for your
Board tn determine. M t-
In submitting these snggestoi.s somewhat precipi-
lately pre- pared shall must cordiallyioin my efforts
with your more mature deliberations, to the end that
shall accord with The progressive tenlpcri
without prejudice proceed with sucA legislation
shah meet the appreciation of ihose who have ntrpst-
ed Us with the M Judgements Of their mnncip, affairs.
and consciousness on our part that We have done
our dnty. K. B. WHITMAN, Mayor
$50 - ------~
fa5- John Lotzenheiser is the name of
tha aOldinr shot at the -kheafA laot tuaak