Martinsburg weekly independent. [volume] (Martinsburg, W. Va.) 1873-1875, 1874-06-20
COUNCIL PROCEEDINGS.


Peryman Ferrin, Hoffman. j
l.. w. Baker, presented his certif
icate of election and was sworn in
as member of Council from the
Second Ward.
Mr.. Staley and Mr.. Peryman
were added to Water Board Com
mittee, making the Committee
five instead of three. as heretofore
Mr.. j. l.. w. Baker was elected
Corporation Treasurer. The Clerk
cast the vote OF the Council for Mr.
Baker, there being no other candi
| date.
Mr.. Baker acknowledged the
compliment Of his reelection in Il
short speech, from which we con
dense the following:
Gentlemen ofthe Council:
Again | have been selected by
your votes as Treasurer of the Cor
poratiou for the third time, and
for this continued and renewed ex
preston of your confidence, | re
turn my nnfeigned thanks,
gladly would have escaped the
cares and responsibilities of this
position, but, as | have been re
turned here by Large majority,
and you have conferred upon me
the honor OF q reelection | can
not refuse TO accept the office.
Whilst il is a position OF honor
and trust, il at all times, bat more
particularly at this time, has iss
cares and perpleXities ana for a
| faithful and successful discharge of
the duties OF the office, | ask your
earnest and hearty cooperation. It
| has been said in rather inelegant
language) that our Treasury is
| Quilted, but, | am not alarmed at
its present depleted condition,
when, | remember that we have
something 10 represent the money
that has been expended, and that
for the future we will have certain
| and sure sources of yereRue, that
will not fail to meet all demands
upon our Treasury.
1t however will be necessary for
us TO practice the most rigid econo
| my III the administration of our
| affairs for the present year, and
tnat we may be able fully 10 meet
the floating debt due by the Corpo
ration, we must avoid all schemes
that would lin any wayl cripple
our resources.
But | would not suggest or recon-
mend Il policy tina would cause to
be neglected any needed or necessa
Try Improvement to the streets and
thoroughfares ofour town.
1t will be remembered that our
finances last year were crippled by
the failure of Messrs. Weir IL Cow
ell to complete their contract, and
this with the financial panic which
disturbed and disarranged the
finances of the country, compelled
us to borrow money and pledge the
bonds of the Corporation, which it
was utterly impossible for us to sell
at that time.
If you will enable me to meet
promptly our July interest, think
can assure you that the bonds now
pledged, will be sold and the float
ing debt will be fully discharged
before the close Of this, financial
| year
During the last year we finished
the water works which are the just
pride of our town, and which in the
not far distant future will yield to
our town resources almost equal to
the interest on the debt created for
| their cons .ructi0n.
Already we have flattering and
encouraging prospects and those
who were at their incipiency
| the most determined opponents
are among the friends of the i'm
provement and subscribers for the
| water.
Time will show this to be the
greatest and grandest improve
ment of our town, and ii is already
not only great comfort and bless
ing TO our people, but security
against the fire iiend which has
laid in ashes 80 much Of the prop
erty ofot criowns and cities ia This
country. Besides paying in this
way for all expe .ses incurred, il
VIII yield sure and steady in
come, which viii Increase yearly,
until il will be fully equai TO the
interest upon our debt.
The satjec! OF creating a sinking
fund TO meet the bonded indebted
ness Oh oar town when due, ia 1895
! Wili cIalmaud should receive our
early and serious attention but as
| some step hats already been taken
hy the iortaer COullea ID this i'm
! pOrtant measure, viii NOT atpres
! enl pronOae any piaM for Ils accom-