The Hickman courier. [volume] (Hickman, Ky.) 1859-current, 1871-12-23

CITY AFFAIRS--SALARIE S.--Iht
City Council of Hickman for the year
1871 closed its active labors Wednesday
night, and generally speaking, we believe
the people pronounce their administration
a good one. The old Board is composed
of sober, discrete, intelligent citizens,
and we doubt not in all things have act
ed for what in their judgment seemed
best for the good of the town. Differ
ences of opinion as to the best policy OF
conducting city affairs, however, will arise,
aud a free discussion of such views
should not only be tolerated but en-
couraged. We take it that all fair mind
! ed men, whether officers or citizens, will
so view it. Twelve months ago, citizens
of Hickman, through the public prints
and at the polls, discussed and tested the
question of retrenchment in City ex-
penses. This movement was directed
especially against the salaries of CITY
officials, and the present Council appar
emily admitted the business of the move
ment, by reducing salaries to about one
half. This action on the part of the
Council was commended by all our peo-
pie, and accepted as an earnest of their
intention to retrench expenses in every
possible way. Wednesday night the
Council raised the salaries up to the old
rate.
The Council by this action brings the
question of retrenchment again before
the people. Nearly one-third, fully one
fourth of the annual revenue of the
city is absorbed in salaries to officers,
and there are those who believe our city
should and could be conducted for much
less. We incline to this opinion our
self Twelve months ago there were
men, competent, faithful men, who were
willing to accept, and faithfully discharge
the duties of certain positions, at the re
duced salaries, and we doubt not they
can be found again. We make no war
upon the Council for what it has DONE
that is past, and we only speak with
reference to management in 1872. The
present Council in awarding extra pay
to certain officers for extra services, may
only have justly complimented merito>
rious servants, but we trust 1872 may
have no such necessities.
The city of Hickman is in debt, aud
her people struggling hard, and are taxed
heavily to liquidate the same. Our
streets and other public improvements
are neglected and retarded, because of
the insufficieney of the revenue The
situation demands of citizens interested
in the prosperity of the tows, exertiOns,
not weighed altogether by dollars and
cents. The services and time of a
Councilman is not tie be weighed accord
ing to intrinsic value, if we do $50
would be an insult, but Hickman asks
something of her principle property
holders for the general good. We are
by one who has taken the
trouble to investigate, that few of our
towns, excepting cities, salary
their Councilmen. The machinery of
our city is too heavy-too cumbersome
for so small power. We need to cut
off some Offices, consolidate others, and
cut the whole parapharnaIia down to
like business management.
When We do this, We can indulge in
street and other public improvements
and finally pay off the city debt. When
the city debt is paid, We can indulge in
high salaries aod "honors," but until
then the town must appeal to its citizens
for liberality.
The reform movement inaugurated last
year was heartily endorsed by the people,
md if rigidly adhered to would greatly
assist our financial affairs. VIII not our
;ity fathers for 1872 re-inaugurate it, aud
tut down the salaries as much as posi-
de- The town can demand the services
# no citizen for nothing, but as the
alary amounts to but little no way, her
'itizen may receive a richer reward in the
general Improvement which will follow
uch spirit. Our towu-our home is
d debt, and our people struggling to re-
ieve it. Shall we not retrench expenses?
Have we not public spirit enough in
Hickman to form Board which will re-
rench?