Watertown republican. [volume] (Watertown, Wis.) 1860-1906, 1870-04-13
JOHN RICHARDS.
MAYOR BERTRAM'S INAUGURAL.

JbTttLeNteTE " tNS common COUNCIL:
1t was with great reluctance that | con-
sented to accept the responsible and, Just
rev. difficult position as Mayor of this city.
Yet, when look around me- feel proud,
feel honored that ! am called upon by the
citizens of Watertown to preside over
body OF such honorable men as now see
before me. Many of you, gentlemen no
doubt, are eminently better qualified to oc-
cupy this seat than | am; therefore | crave
your indulgence for any mistakes or short
| comlngs on my part. can only assure you
that with your assistance will erdeayor to
perform truly and faithfully, the duties de-
voigIng upou me, to the best OF my ability;
that will execute such ordinance as your
honorable body may deem proper to pass.
| or that are already in existence for the
health, cleanliness, good order and pros
pefity Of the city. l say, gentlemen, that
L VIII execute, or cause to be executed,
those ordinances without favor or partially,
but Will also execute them without fear,
SO lar as our city charter gives me the
| power to do, and hope to be sustained
therein by your honorable body.
Inc peculiar and precarious position of
our city III regard to the Indebtedness on
railroad bonds | will touch upon but
IlghtIy, as the management of those affairs
by the almost unanimous consent of the
citizens OF Watertown, has been given into
the hands of honorable men well qualified
and adapted to bring them to a favorable
conclusion for US. We have offered 20 our
creditors all that we can offer without ut
terly running ourselves and it is to be
hoped that this offer will be accepted, as it
was made in good faith by our citizens, and
they have pledged themselves to observe the
| faithful performance of the contract which
may be entered into between the commits
sloners appointed for that purpose and our
creditors.
1t is not my Intention, gentlemen, nor is
1t IN my power st the present time, to give
you the communication or message required
of the mayor Of this city by section of
the second e'epter Of the charter of the city
of WATERFOWL. The time has been too
short. have received, as yet, no report
from any officer or committee, and many OF
yoa gentlemen, through experience and
practice, are more familiar with the actual
state OF affairs OF this city, financial and
otherwise, than | can pretend to be at the
present time. l will therefore confine my
self to few subjects which | think worthy
Of your attention.
In the first place, I would recommend to
you 10 IAFouuGe Tor the present, q strict
system of economy in your financial affairs,
| curtailing your expenses in every honorable
way possible, without infringing upon the
| rights of citizens, or checking the necessary
improvements to be made for the benefit
| and prosperity Of the city. Whether the
salaries now paid to- city officers should be
reduced, l leave your honorable body to de-
termine.
then would call your attention to the
| deplorable condition of our streets and
! sidewalks throughout the city, with few ex-
captions. It's, in my opinion, of the ut
most necessity for the welfare and pros
perity of the city, that immediate steps
should be taken for putting our principal
streets and sidewalks in state of perfect
re pair. am COW inced that our citizens
will consent to this necessary expen diture,
if they only see that the work is do ne ju-
| diciouSly, for the benefit of the city gen.
orally and at reasonable prices. Each al
! derman should also use his utmost diligence
to have the poIl-tax, in his respective
ward, Worked out TO the best advantage,