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

Meeting called to order by the Clerk
AID. Burbank presided as temporary

=
On motion q Aid, Powell, the council
proceeded to elect officers Of the council
with the following result:
President Lewis Clark. S.
Pee President y. G. Smith. !.
C9erk--N. F. Barnes. A.. - Il.
Z Ciiy Assessor = II. r: Tobey. 4
Street Commissio ner-J ohm Dorr. / !
On motion, committee of ,hre., con-
Stating Of AID. II: G. Smith. Burbank and
Bridsman. were appointed to wait oh His
Honor, the Mayor. 1. az
b Alter q brief absenee theyrstur ned when
u. Ma,ordeli,.rsd he llo~ipg, message:
NJ. Prs'idsns and Member. Of tie Comm d.
Council. ,..s= :. sas ..s., - .as..sSs /
GESrLsAIxa: 49, - " = W @AsSS
In assuming the responsibilities that ap.
pertain 70 the office Of Mayor Of this city.
am fully consc,ousthat3 Strict adherence
TO right, and Conscientious discharge Of
duty will iovolve much annoyance to my
self, and perhaps give rise TO lissatisfac-
ton smpngsome, with whom, as "a i private
citizen. | might have sustained the most
friendly RELATIONS My acceptance of the
position, however, may be q sufficient us
sorance 10 you that J. intend honestly to
discharge it's duties to the best. Of NY .abil-
lty
Upon examination, I find the fiscal af-
fairs Of the city in . most healthy condi-
| tion, aud We certainly have reason tn con-
| graduate ourselves upon the contrast
which St. Cloud affords. in this respect, TO,
many other places in the Sta,e.2s We have
also, in my opinion, been fortunate IN the
reelection TO Office, of the gentleman who
has so successfully filed the position of
City Treasurer, since the CO announcement
OF our municipal Governments ~
One Of the most important duties of q
Cly Council is to guard we'll the revenues,
and administer with skill and economy,
the financial affairs committed 10 it's care.
WILL not do more, and cannot do less than
suggest that the present Council will do
we'll to emulate the fidelity Of the one just
| retired, in this respect.
1feei 1t to be my duty in this connection,
| to warn the council against the growing
tendency If municipal corporations, to
burden themselves and their posterity with
load Of. indebtedness, in the shape of
bonds, issued tor the furtherunce of pro-
I ects only quasi public character These
drat's upon An Imaginary future prosperity
always involve heavy tax alton. which does
90 muca 10 retrad prosperous growth
The same rules should govern the Council
IN 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 mn,icipa:-
ed revenue is 10 be derived, but on should
also DC clearly convinced that the benefits
to be gained by the city ire commensu -ate
with the proposed outi ~ in other words.
y = : The Investment will pay, judged By
ordinary business tests; -. $50 "a.
r Still there is . time in the history of
nearly every business man., when prompt,
energetic end liberal action. involving
great risk and heavy liabilities, will alone,
insure success. Such time. in respect to
our Railroad intere. 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 RAILROAD system OF
Northern Minnesota, this Council will be
called upon to act with an enlarged iber-
ah'y, and TO assume responsibilities which
nave not rested upon any former Council.
In such>a crisis half measures are suicidal
! feel assured, that, should my predictions
prove. true, you ,will meet the necessities Of
the Case with such wise and prudent action
~ will secure my hearty approval and con-
currence.
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 a source OF both
annoyance and danger. "A rigid enforce
ment IF the ordinance referred to-, would
do much to remedy this evil, and at the
s:;me time prevent the illeeitimate and
dangerous expedlents that some have re-
sorted 10, IN their efforts to rid the city of
such q pest. ,a,.y, ~. - 49,. .. g. ~;
l am unable to perceive any good reason
Why the execution Of the law, in this re-
spect, should bedeemed impracticable. J.
the provisions ofSrhe ordinance are insult.
hcient, I would .adyise its amendment, DO
% to authorize and require the police 70
kill all dogs not licensed according te 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 for his efficiency in that depart
uent. So large an outlay has been made
for roads and bridges during the past
year, that am inclined to the opinion that
it will not re necessary to expend more
during the presen, year than the poll ia =, !
assessed in the respective wards for that
purpose. . - ;,..ff.r,, ..,.. ... ..fns.
lcaunot consistently with what I deem
the best interests Of St. Cloud, refrain from
calling your attention, again this year.. to
the utter absence of any organized means
for the extinguishment of fire in our city.
We cannot, as reasonable men, expect to
enjoy much longert5the immunity from
disastrous fires, with which fortune has
favored US during the past few years. 1t is
neither wise nor prudent 10 permit matters
to remain longer, as they now are, in this
respect. l believe it to be the duty of this
Council, without delay, to take such steps
us may be nsce >sary for tn. re organization
ana efficient establishment, of. our Fire De-
partmsnt, and for furnishing il with suit
able engine and other apparatus.
The adoption OF measuresto carry into
effect such Of the foregoing suggestions as
may commend themselves t., your judx-
ment, lies peculiarly in your province, and
| have now ~ assure you that in any action
which you may take, III The premises or:
otherwise for the good Of this City you viii
meet NY hearty cooperation. 49, @.' - a.
-: Mr.. President aud tnembe, Of the Com
mon Council accept my thanks for your
kind attention. 's'@@ y 'S''-@3 -
CHAs. D. KERR,
Mayor.
The following standing committees were
appointed by the President:
- Claims and Accounts-Ald. Powell,
Bridgman and Schul.eu -.
81 Ways and Aeuss-Ald Burbank, 30 c.
Smith and Owen.tssSt.S 4 /. Es2 :3:z
h Streets and Alleys-Ald. g. Bridgman,
]. G Smith, Carter. and Lamb. IS sssssz. s.
: Health-Ald. 7. Smith, Dorr and schal-
Fre Departments Aid. Schulten, Bur-
bank and iDorr. Ii .> .ss3sf5 5= i, 5ts3::
Rt.i :y- --.Ald: J. g. Smith, Powell, Carter
Ind Sohultsn. .!.&sat .s.s''" ''5.sSs'.a,i5f
Market. AID. Lamb, r. Smith: and
7dne.-A'd. J. G. Smith, Br,dgman and
p. Smith. zsS i Il ..s.s ~ +, ,s.~. -. IL d
Ii'tiinting -Ala. Burbank, Powell and
Gsrter. ~ lt:tf{
Lieen.s-Ald. Owen, Lamb and Dorr.
Observation-Disclosures J. G.. Smith
and Bridgman.
Buildings and city Property-Ald. P.
O.