The Democratic advocate. [volume] (Westminster, Md.) 1865-1972, 1867-06-06
MAYORS MESSAGE.

GENTLEMEN, You have by the suffrage
Of the citizens Of Westminster, been chosen
to the responsible and honorable position Of
Common Councilman of the corporate in
terests of vour city. Ia your intelligence
enterprise aud integrity they have coniided
its interests.
Corporations are created for the mutual
benefit of the many to facilitate social inter
ests and mutual ACCOMPLISHMENTS, and in
order the more successfully to enhance those
interests, preserve aud enforce an observance
of common franchises, itnecessitates The ap.
pointment OF officers or persons, /. c.
Mayor City Council, whose special duty
il is 10 create Laws aztfNiles regulating the
.SsJrdnet of the masses, aud TO secure to all
equal immunities. To illustrate, communi-
ties such as Westminster. without Corporate
aitinities and restraints, leave each iHdtvid.
ual property owner TO follow bis own iucli.
nation and Judgment in reference to the
public Streets Lanes and Alleys, aud their
cleanliness, freedom from distractions and
general condition, dependent wholly upon
the liberality or selfishness OF the property
owner, and just in that ratio, in consonauce
with, or detrimental to the general interests
of the community. But with those aiiini.
ties anduttractioRs holding all interests and
privileges, Impurities and advantages e
qualify together, Il is at once apparent that
all corporations, properly sustained by the
citizens, must redouad To the general bon
eft and good of the many. Westminster
in point of wealth, population. moral char.
acter, and local advantages, occupies pc.
sition that will compare faSoraby with any
inland town in the State, AMI il all those
enterests are properly Sstered and sustain.
ed by her citizens, with the proper spirit
of public enterprise aud liberality that those
advantages merit, she cannot fail to attract
within her limits character. wealth and ia.
luence from abroad. The unusual interest
manifested in the recent Corporation Elec-
ton, warrants the inference that the citi.
zens OF the town have recognized the iin.
portance OF forward move in the mntter,
and that the masses of the population de.
mand for the interests Of the Town, as
well as their own individual convenience,
health comfort and pecuniary interest, that
the present Board shall adopt active aud
energetic measures for the attainment of this
most desirable end
The result Of the arduous labors of the
retiring Board, THE past year seconded
by the active and energetic cooperation of
my predecessor, went far towards removing
much Of the disability under which the Cor
poration labored, with debt of some five
or six hundred dollars hanging like an in
cubus over its energies, puralyzinC, pros.
trating and frustrating the wishes and in
tentions of its most ardent friends. As an
initiatory step TO the removal of the same,
the first work Of the Board was the recog-
milton of all properly approved claims
against the Corporation, and the passage of
a resolution to pay the same by caneelling
with taxes due the Cooperation. when Il
could be done, by compromise, &c, and BY
cash when there were no taxes to collect |;
thus gradually reducing the Corporation in.
debtedness. and at the same time placing it
in pecuniary point Of view in such con.
diton as 70 enable the accumulation offunds
to make the necessary improvements IN
the coming year, as a reference to the re-
port OF the Treasury will fully indicate. leay.
ing a portion OF old taxes and the entire
levy OF 1863 to collect, thus presenting a
gratifying contrast in pecuniary point Of
view, between the auspices uuler which the
previous Board entered upon its duties and
those Of the present one. That YOU will
avail yourself Of those palpable advantages
over the previous year, | have no doubt,
and therefore suggest that you organize
with view TO the economy OF time by the
adoption Of Rules for your own guidance.
in order to methodize business, and suhser
wing time TO the more intelligent discus.
sions of tho various questions as they are
presented to your consideration by com.
mittees or otherwise. The present Ord.
nanceS so far as they exist for all practical
purposes are valid. But | would suggest a
revising Of all the Ordinances at as early
day as possible, a. there is much need of
some new ones, while there are some that
are Of no use at all with the changed condi.
ton OF our State Laws.
And in this connection | will call your
invention to some few that have been il.
nored, or bat i,ii,le observed, while there Is
much cause for the immediate lassage Of
others. Those Ordinances with reference
10 building privies, hog pens, &c, not
nearer than ten feet to public streets or al.
leys, obstructing the same, or throwing
filth, dead chickens, and osher decaying
matter upon the sane, thus ieopardizinS
the health Of tho city,l the dscharging 81
fire arms on the streets and alleys, halloo
ing and making boisterous noises, distur.
bing the public quiet, playing bali on or
across the streets, and Others of like utility
have been but little respected; while those
with reference TO hogs, and the necessity of
one prevent cows and goats from running
upon the payements, defling the same and
endangering gardens aud yards, should re.
ceiye early attention. The want of Snow
Ordinance ITO remove the same) willreceiye
your attention in due time, as well as any
others that time and circumstances NAV
suggest.
That the lovers Of order and euterpr,aa
viii sustain the Corporate authorities in the
enforcement Of all Ordinances looking "a
their good does not admit Of doubt. The
importance Of paving all the Streets n
the CITY Is manifest % all, for was recent.
ly,) for the credit Of the City and the gen.
eral bcneEf Of transition from one point 10
another This is matter that demands
immediate attention, and 1 would suggest
as one Of the most essential auxiliaries to a
successful and satisfactory execution Of the
same, the selection and employment Of a
suitable person on as reasonable terms as
possible, as Street Commissioner, or engi.
neer, for the especial purpose Of giving the
proper grsdes for paving side walks as well
rs those It puhlic crossings. desire 10
urge this appointment upon you the more
because Of the naneroas new Streets and
Alleys, about being opened, and on which
are progressing, The i'm
portance Of this character Of Improvements
must suggest itself with great deal Of force
to.you, as il most certainly does 10 those
owning property upon those Streets whose
value is always enhanced by good pave
ment This is q manifestation Of the adj
vantages Of corporate afinities in which
all are equally benefited and equally bound
topave for the public good.