Lexington weekly intelligencer. (Lexington, Mo.) 1871-1887, 1876-06-24

Guy B UGbt lulcICSlSs
In order that you may be enabled to legis-
late more intelligently. 1 present . statement
Of the financial condition of the city, to-wit:
Amount of bonds and interest to
January LIST, 1876. ST. 1856 50
Amount of city warrants outstand-
ing June 18th, 1876 ........... Is, 1853 IS
Amount of work under contract
not quite flushed 1876 %
Total amount of Indebtedness. 81, 1913 IS
From this statement Of our Indebtedness
you will perceive tho necessity for strict
economy In the administration 0ftne various
departments of the city government; and
the fact that our county il iaborinS under =
financial crisis unparalleled IN our history.
Confidence il impaired; capital 10 locked up;
the industries Of the country are paralyZ I'd
and labor Is unemployed. Under this I'm
favorable state Of things, let US husband our
our debt. l would earnestly recommend
that you see that the city charter Is not yiO-
lated by the mlsapprOpriation of the city
fu"ds. Taxes collected for bond aud inter-
est fund should DO applied to its legimats
use; also the AXE for general purposes. a.
Of every member OF this council-that the
bonds and warrants Of the city should be
brought to par value.
For the past TIVE years . moro permanent
than previously. We have now about ono
and three-fourth miles Of maeadsmiZed
streets, which can be kept Ia repair Ut com.
paratively small cost. This is the only ration.
ri and economical plan for their improve
ment,snd whatever means may be expended
streets when graded until they are secured
from damage by wash.
[ would call your attention to the import
snce OF amending the city barter in order
that in may conform to the State Constitu-
ton. Article 10, section IL OF the Constitu-
ton prohibits any ''county, city town, town.
ship schOol-distrlet. or other political corpo-
ration or subdivision of tue State" from
becoming indebted in any manner, or for
any purpose, to any amount exceeding in
any year the income and revenue pro-
,ided for such year., without the assent of
two-thirds OF the Voters thereof.
Article 8, section IL, OF the city charter.
reads ~ follows: ''Tns city council shall not
make any appropriation for any purpose
whatever, exceeding one thousand dollars
in excess OF the income received and uaex-
pended ut the time such appropriation Is
made" This section authorizes y violation
Of the State Constitution before reaching Its
limit, while on the other hand, it would
lock the wheels of the city government for
two-thirds OF the year II strictly complied
with; as it is impossible to keep up the need
Cd repairs and run the city government for
the greater portion ofths year without issu-
ing warrants for more than one thousand
dollars in excess of the cash in the treasury.
The ineniciency OF the Dire department de-
mands your careful attention. We are almost
Ut the mercy OF the %devouring element. No
adequate means Tor suppressing q cOnfsgrs-
ton. There 10 too much vt stake to rest in
this condition, Cisterns should be examined,
and if need be put iu repair. Engines, lad
ders n fire apparatus looked up and return
ed to their proper places and put in working
l order and anpn nthAr mRNhnrAS a6nnt46 nm
IN your judgment will place the department
on y working basis.
congratulate you and the citizens OF Lex
inEton, on the prospects OF q speedy com
plstion of the Narrow Gauge railroad to this
city, which Will open q direct outlet for tue
in~exhaustsbls stores OF coal that underle
our city aud county; bringing US into imme-
date connection with cities which are look
ing to us for q supply Of this article Of som-
merce. Ii the Lexington Coal Company,
under such unfavOrabls railroad facilities,
ind it profitable to engage 50 extensively In
the shipments of cOal-whichh has proved 20
beneficial to the city-we can form sOms
idea OF the benefits to be derived from
railroad built, equipped, and run mainly In
the Interests Of this traffic, and which brings
us into close and direct connection with ,
ready mark ct.
Within the past year the Lexington GaI
Company have erected works within thu
city limits, and now furnish gas for forty
street lamps; atfOrding convenience to oul
citizens, and also protection to life ant
property, at u cost believed to be moderate
notwithstanding the general depression
OF business throughout the country, on
city Is steadily advancing in permanent i'm
|proyements and material prosperity.
hold myself in readiness to cooperate witt
you in the adoption and carrying out of sucl
measures rs shall tend to the accomplish
ment of this object.
In conclusion, asking your kind indul
gence for any failures on my part, caused b.
want OF ability rather tnan inclination,
trust that we shall one and all heartily CO
operate with each other in the earnest On
deaVor to promote the interests Of the city
and show ourselves worthy Of the cont
dence the people have rel ossd in US.
BENJAMIN MARSHALL, Mayor
upon motion, the message WAS Ordsre
printed.
On motion of Mr.. Chlles, Mr. Shewalte
was allowed to address the council and tile
notice of contest.
The Mayor then an nounced the folloWip
lcOmmittees:
On Finance-Wilson, Chiles and Ballard
On OrdInances-Chiles, Ahrsns and FISH
er.
On Improvements and Repalr-Ballarc
Fisher and Wilson.
oh Cisims-Ahrens, Owen and Hsmleti
On Judiciary-Chiles, Bandon aud Over
On Ways and Administration, Hamlet
and Owen.
On Fire Department-Hsmlett, Bsndo
and Fisher.
On Printing-Owen, Wilson aud Ballsrt
On seales-Fisher, Ahrens, Wilson An,
City Register.
The Mayor appointed and the council COL
hrmed F. MOrath weishmaster ut the At
Ward scales.
Official bond Of Marshal Taubmsn al
proved.
On motion, Mayor authorized to issu
i~subp9nas for the attendance OF witnesses i
contested election cases.
D The trial OF the contested election case ia
the office OF Register. WAS set tor the 81
4 day of July. at ! O'Clock. p. ~.
On motion, the council sdjourued to NEE
Z on Monday, July 10.