The Morning herald., 1876-09-07
CITY COUNCIL.
THE NEW COUNCIL ORGANIZED
LAST EVENING.


THE NEW COUNCIL ORGANIZED
LAST EVENING.
OyOanjsatjon-1NeN Neso Members Sscorss
In Credemttals EpansjNed- -Cterle and
Batltr EIectsf- -Spssch Of tho President.
The remaining members, Messrs. Febiger,
Jones, Underwood, Adams, Taylor, Payn-
ter, McGlinchey and Irelan, came into the
smile Chat they were permitted to return)
on their faces, and were soon called to
order by President M. L. Lichtenstein.
After roll call, on motion Of Mr.. Febiger
the Chair appointed Messrs. Fcbiger,
Jones and Paynter committee to examine
the Credentials of the newly elected Coun-
cilmen, The committee retired, and after
remaining out about three-quarters of an
hour they reported the following named
gentlemen duly qualified to hold seats in
Council to represent the Wards from which
they we're elected for two years
Thomas johnson, 1st Ward; B. Frank
Townsend, 2nd Caleb T. Windle, 3rd; Jno.
G.. Baker, 4th; VIM. Candy, 5th; Seth H.
Feaster, 9th; Philemma Chandler, 9TH;
Henry W. Downing, 8th: John Davis, 9th;
Louis P. Lynch, 10th, and H. F. Pickels,
for one year, from the 5th Ward. N
On motion of Mr.. Febiger the new mem
bers were sworn in by Mayor Whitley, ex-
eept Messrs. Chandler and Windle, who af-
firmed and all took their respective seats
and were addressed by the President as fol-
lows:
GENTLEMEN OF COUNCIL 1T is not
only proper but wise, that the managers of
a large corporation at the beginning ofa new
year should closely examine the state of
their finances, should clearly understand
the debit and credit sides OF their ledger, so
as to be able to faithfully perform the duties
they have pledged their honor to perform.
From the City Treasarer's books. I learn
that at this day, after the bulk of the taxes
has been received, there is no money left In
the treasury, while notes of some $39, 500
have to be provided for. Moreover, there
are $1,000 due the Cool Spring Reservoir,
81, 900 for interest, the orders for which have
been drawn, also 81, 200 for Redemption ol
Bonds, making total of $4,000. You
will, therefore, perceive that this Council
begins it's operations with 52,200 less than
nothing. l.H .n.a
THIS current expenses for four more
months before the close of our fiscal year
will have to be provided for. A large
amount will be needed to pay for paving oi
Walnut street, the contracts for which
have been signed, unless the contractor
should decide to have this work delayed
until we are better prepared to pay. AS an
offset, Gentlemen, you have only what may
be collected of the balance of city taxes,
and from the book of the City Auditor.
Gentlemen, this question is very serious
and difficult to solve. If can draw les
son from yesterdays election, it is that our
citizens desire all economical administration
of their affairs-that Council shall not con.
tinue in the trodden path-but retrench.
yes gentlemen, retrench on every point.
The people desire us to cut off all unneces
sary work, not to spend single dollar not
absolutely needed. The majority of this
Council will be held responsible # from
this day saving of at least $50, ,OOC
dollars year is not accomplished, from
our annual appropriations.
The Police Pay Roll for twelve months
was $19, ,10S.95, a reduction of 5000 will
am convinced, not produce many resigna-
tions.
The Miscellaneous Pay Roll for one veal
amounted to $l7 ,439 SO, q reduction O.
81, 900 will not diminish applications for the
positions by equally qualified persons.
The Street Cleaning Department has cost,
Including heavy pay roll on last Monday
$24 800. Gentlemen, q saving of $lS, 900 cal
be made here, and yet the streets can be
kept as clean as they are kept to-day.
The Water Department proper has cosl
$11 ,945.23, it, too, will stand reduction O.
s., 5000.
Add $4,000 for the Board of Public Edu-
cation, and $40, 900 for Street and Opening
Streets appropriations, and you have tota
| of $41, 900. It is not improbable that q re-
duction OF $4,000 may be made from the
| other appropriations, and we foot up $5o, WV
Continuing faithfully in this matter for two
wears, we will be enabled to sink The pres
eut floating debt into oblivion without
having recourse to the favorite mode ol
funding. Then, gentlemen, you may nave
the satisfaction of reducing taxation, and &c
YOU suppose that the citizens will think o.
changing government that honestly and
faithfully attends to the city's interest
You are aware gentlemen, that manufac-
turing establishments form the growth ana
prosperity of city all over this broad land
of ours, YOU may see the evidence, that
wherever such establishments are fOstere0
and protected, prosperity has been general
our own little city is no exception. II We
are successful in keeping down taxation
with our inexhaustible water supply, oul
excellent railroads and waite connections,w we
invite such establishments to be located
here, and thus find employment for our un-
employed mechanics and laboring men
Let us act unitedly to obtain such benefcia
results. All / ask of you gentlemen, OF
behalf of the city, is that you should use the
same prudence, the same economy, tht
same counting of the costs In the admin
istratiou of public business which you use
in your own business and your own house
holds. And now Gentlemen, allow me u
call your attention to some very important
matters that claim your attention.
First, there is a disputed law point,