Cleveland daily leader. [volume] ([Cleveland, Ohio]) 1865-1873, 1866-04-10

SRCclAA 6C1oA0M y ~
or the Unfinished Business Of the
ola Observation-Disclosures of the
New C0unciI-AnnuaA Message OF
mavar n M. Chaplin Election of
Officers, &C., &c
Council met at two o'clock yesterday after
noon. for the purposes indicated above, the
President of the Council, Thomas Jones, jr'
in the chair.
All the members present, except Messrs.
Frees, Roberts and Russell.
On motion, the reading of the minutes of
the last meeting was dispensed with.
REPORTS.
Second Annual report of the Chief Fire
| Engineer, for the year ending March Slst,
1866. Ordered printed in the annual imam
cial statement.
Of the Secretary Of Water Works for
March, 1866. Filed.
OF the Infrmary Director for the fourth
quarter ending March SIst, 1866. Filed.
Of Outdoor Relief for the fourth quarter
ending March SIst, 1866. Filed.
Annual report Of the Board of City I'm
provements for the year ending March 3lst.
Ordered printed in the annual financial
statement.
CONCENTRATIONS.
From Colonel James Barnett, offering his
resignation of the Office of Commissions OF
Water Works to which he has recently been
elected. Resignation accepted.
RESOLUTIONS.
Bv Mr.. Sturges, that the thanks Of this
Council be hereby rendered Thomas Jones,
ir, for the very able, faithful, impartial and
| dignifed manner in which he has dis
charged the duties OF its presiding officer
during the past year. Adopted.
Mr.. Jones thanked the Council for the
expression Of their confidence. Having
held the position of President the last two
years, the office had been made pleasant
for him by the uniform courtesy Of the
members Of the Council. He felt it his
duty to withdraw, and yield the place to
another.
To establish the dock lines of the Cuya-
hoga river en- the westerly side between the
/ city boundary line at Tracey street n the
Seneca street bridge. Passed.
To establish the grade Of Harbor street.
To establish the grade Of Prospect street
between Erie and Hudson streets. Second
reading.
To grade, pave and improve Columbus
| street between the Cleveland and Mahoning
railroad and Lorain street. Second reading.
To amend an ordinance relating to the
inspection, etc, of liquors. Second time.
All the business of the old Council being
disposed OF, Council adjourned.
NETTING OF NEW COUNCIL.
After a short interval Mayor Chaplin
called the new Council to order. The new
ly elected members were called within the
bar and qualified.
The first business before the new body
was the election of President. Mr.. F. W.
Pelton was nominated by Mr.. Townsend,
and Mr.. Joseph sturges, by Mr. TruscOtt.
Mr.. Pelton was elected by q vote of twelve
to six, Messrs. PeltOn and sturges not vOt-
ing. The Council then proceeded to choose
a Clerk of the Council and City Auditor.
Mr.. C. E. Hill was unanimously elected.
His Honor, Mayor Chaplin, at this point
read
THE MAYORS ANNUAL MESSAGE.
Gentlemen Of the City Council:
In passing the threshold Of another wear,
it becomes my duty "to report to you con-
corning the municipal affairs of the city,
and make such recommendations as l may
deem advisable" and it is well on occasions
like the present to take a brief glance st
the past for our better guidance in the flu
ture ; but, first of all, it becomes US to ac-
knowlede with gratitude the beni6cent care
of an Al-wise Providence, hat our city has
enjoyed so large q degree of health, peace
and prosperity, especially in the year
now Justclosed tina the unholy strife which
Ina - rAd fhr0n Ohnnf ~ oorn oonnfr-
has given place to peEce that the battle
field and clash of arms nave been suppressed
ed by the domestic Preside and the Srts of
peace, Generals have given place to states
men-and here let us pause, for although
the field is a blOodless one, our country
is as much on trial to-day as when, on Get
tysburgh battlefield, the strong right arms
of cur noble soldiers saved US from disunion.
As individuals we arr taught, and believe,
that the hrst element of success is to be
just and do right. How long must we be in
learning that this applies to nations as well
as individuals
By the repeal of the act "to enable auali-
fed voters of this State in the military
service of this State or of the United States
to exercise the right of suffrage" the meet
ing of the new city government has been
precipitsted upon US on such short notice,
that few of the various Boards have besn
able to present their annual reports, and l
am therefore unable to submit such facts
and comparisons with former years for your
consideration as should properly become q
part of this communication. l had hoped
to have reviewed at some length our fnan-
cial condition and system, and point out
what seems to mt some radical defects in
the latter, but in the absence of the fnan-
cial statement I am unable to do SO. I can
not forbear, however, to say that the want
Of an intimate knowledge of our finances,
on the part Of the various city officers, and
a constant knowledge of the condition of the
funds, seems to me one Of the
defects in our present system, and
would recommend that the Auditor be re-
quired to lay before the City Council at the
first meeting in each month, q statement
showing the exact condition Of the
various funds. The standing committees
Of the Council are in reality the custodians
Of the funds in the departments they are
appointed to manage, and they thould and
would, under the system suggested, have a
feeling of responsibility, and soon a
emulation with the management of
The same fund, in previous years, would
grow up, which could not but produce graf
results.
The report of the Sinking Fund Commits
'loners shows a very satisfactory result, q
great part Of which is due to the untIring
of its management It is well
Known to you that the suit, involving the
title Of the city in 1900 shares of stock in
he Cleveland, gainesville and Ashtabula
3. R. Co, has been decided in favor of the
;ity. The par value of the fund held by the
commissioner on the LIST day of January
asst was 1859 1889, against $40, $751; 81 the
previous year, showing q net increase of
54eS. The present market value of
he fund held by the Commissioners on the
st of January last, is $3.50, 900. As
bis fund is held in trust to pay the
Works Bonds, amounting to only
due in 1878, '7s and 81, by
which time it will aggregate more
han twice the amount of the Bonds, 8
pecial act should be obtained from the
General Assembly, authorizing and requir-
ng the Commissioners to pay the interest on
he Water Works Bonds.
SCHOOLS.
l have not had access 10 the report of the
of Education for the past year. but
rom general observation, l am satisfied our
.hools were never in q more prosperous
ondition, or under better management
han now. Great need is felt all over the
for additional school accommodating ms,
some of the older school buildings are
citing absolutely unsafe, and must soon be
ebuilt. A judicious expenditure Of money !
4 this department will always meet the /,
pproyal of your constituents
IxFIRxARY a.,
The annual report of the Inirmary
'oard shows 8 gratifying result. The num-