The St. Cloud journal. [volume] (St. Cloud, Minn.) 1866-1876, 1871-05-11
OF COMMON coUrcr,,

s4-NO 'EEOANGfS@UF COMMON COUNCIL
Meeting called to order by the Clerk
AID. Bu' bank presided as temporary
President.
On motion Of AID. Powell, the council
proceeded to elect officers of the council.
with the following result:
President Lewis Clark.
Wee President j. &. Smith.
Clerh-N. F. Barnes.
Gig Asssssor-H. r: Tobey.
Street Commissio ner-John Dorr.
on motion, committee Of hrc,, con-
slsting OF Aid. j. G. Smith. Burbank and
Bridgmau, wore appointed to wait on His
Honor, the Mayor.
After brief absence theyretur ned when
the Mayor'deli'sred the following message:
Mr.. President and Members of the Comm on
Council
GENTLEMEN: =
In assuming the responsibilities that ap-
pertain to the office of Mayor of this city.
am fully conscious thata strict adherence
TO right. and conscientious discharge OF
duty will Involve much annoyance to my
self, and perhaps give rise to dissatisfac-
t'on among some. with wtom, as a private
citizen, might have sustained the m ost
friendly RELATIONS My acceptance of tie
positi.n. however, may be sufficient us
surnnce 10 you that intend honestly to
discharge its duties to the best of my abil-
ty
Upon examinations, finl the fiscal af-
fairs OF the CITY III most healthy condi-
uon, and We certainly have reason H., con-
graduate ourselves upon the conerasr
which st. Cloud affords. in this respect, 10
many other places in tue State. We have
also, In my opinion, been forlunate IN the
reelection TO office, Of he gentleman who
has so successfully filed the position OF
City Treasurer, Since the CO uneucemen,
OF our municipal Government
One Of the most important duties of a
City Council is to guard we'll the revenues,
and administer with skill and economy,
the financial att .irs committed 10 its care,
will not DO more, and cannot DO less than
suggest that the present Council will do
we'll to emulate the fidelity If the one Just
retired, IN this respect.
1feel it to be my duty in this connection,
to warn the council against the gro wing
tendency "f municipa! corporations, to
burden themselves and their posteri,y with
\ LOAD OF Indebtedness, in the shape OF
bonds, issued tor the furtherunce of pro-
Jects only quasi public character These
drafts upon an imaginary future prosperity
always involve heavy tax ltion. which does
80 much 10 retrad prosperous growth
The same rules should govern the Council
III these matt rs that are recognized and
acted upon in the private business of its
respective members. Not only should you
Consider the source from whence un,icipa:-
cd revenue is 10 be derived, but on should
also De CLEARLY convinced that the benefits
to be gained by the city IRE commensu~ rate
with Tue proposed outl ~ in other words,
that the Investment will pay, judged by
ordinary business tests.
Still there Is time in the history of
nearly every business man, when prompt,
energetic and liberal action, involving
great risk and heavy liabilities, vii, alone
insure success. Such time, in respect to
our Railroad intero- Is, will probably occur
IN the history OF St. Cloud during the cur
rent year, when, in order to establish our
position in tho great railr DAD system OF
Northern Minnesota, this Council will be
cailed upon to act with an enlarged liber-
ANY, and to assume responsibilities which
nave not rested upon any former Council.
In such q crisis half measures are suicidal
l feel assured, that, should my predictions
prove true, you will meet the necessities of
the Case with such wise and prudent action
as will secure my hearty approval and con-
currence.
l desire to call the attention of the Coun-
Gil to the lax and inefficient manner IN
which the ordinance in respect to licensing
OF dogs has been hitherto enforced. The
large number Of worthless and noisy dogs
that lnfest our streets, is source of both
annoyance and danger. A rigid enforce
ment Of the ordinance referred to, would
do much to remedy this evil, and Of the
me time prevent the illegitimate and
dangerous expeLlents that some have re-
sorted 10, in their efforts to rid the city of
such pest.
l am unable to perceive any good reason
why the execution of the law, in this re-
spect, should be deemed impracticoble. l.
the provisions Of the ordinance are insult
ticient, would advise its amendment, SO
as to authorize aud require the police TO
kill all DOGS not licensed according to law.
The main streets of the city are in an adj
mirable condition. Too much praise can
not be awarded to the present Street Com
missioner tor his efficiency in that depart
uent. So large an outlay has been made
for roads and bridges during the past
year, tina, am inclined to the opinion b 1t
1t Will not re necessary to expend more
during the present year than the poll ia =,
assessed in Tie respective wards for that
purpose.
caunot, consist emily with what I deem
the best interests Of ST. Cloud, refrain from
calling your attention, again tns year, to
the utter absence Of any orgahlzed means
for the extingu!shment OF fire in our city.
We cannot, rs reasonable mcn, expect to
enjoy much longer the immunity from
disastrous fires, with which fortune has
favored US duling the past few years. 1t is
neither wise nor prudent 10 permit matters
to remain longer, as they now are, in This
respect. believe it to be The duty OF this
Council, without delay, to take such steps
rs may be nece sary Tor ti< re organization
ANA efficient vsta bl.shlne nj OF. our Fire De-
par,mvnt, and for furnishing it with suit
able engine and other apparatus.
The adoption of measures TO carry into
effect such Of the foregoing Suggest ions as
may comTend themselves t, your judy
ment, lies peculiarly in your province, and
| have now 10 assure you that in any action
which you may take, III the premises or
otherwise for the good of This City you will
meet my hearty Cooperation.
MIR. President and members Of the Com
mon Council accept my thanks for your
kind attention.
CHAS. D. KERR,
Mayor.
The following standing committee. we've
appointed by the President
Claims and Accounts-Ald. Powell,