The daily Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1873-1877, 1876-04-25
The Mayors Good sense--Policy for the
Coming Year

tratiou was to adopt the suggestions of
The ARGUS in relation to abolshing the
old water board--as useless as a fifth |
wheel in a coach.
Then he went wrong in claiming the
right to vote on his own appointments.
THE ARGOS showed him his error and he
promptly corrected it-for which we gave
him due credit at the time.
He Numbered again in thinking that he
had right to order the clerk to keep and
disburse the public money. and thus
usurp the duties of treasurer, and practi
cally abolish the Office. Aid. Lundy cured
him OF that mistake in one evening. He
plead ignorance of the law-so that his
take will not be likely to be repeated.
And at last nights meeting the mayor
stated that he had learned that the bonds
of the city officers were required to be
submitted to the council for approval or
rejection. He did not do us the Justice
to say that he learned that fact from THE
ARGUS but everybody knows that he did
learn it from The ARGUS, for The ARGUS
is the only paper which brought the mat
ter before the public and to the mayors
attention. The mayor stated that it had
not been the custom to lay these bonds
before the council, but he showed good
sense in doing so as soon as THE ARGUS
posted him in the matter.
There was another matter, last evening,
in which the mayor showed equal good
sense, and gave evidence that he carefully
studies THE ARGUS. He read our state
ment of the assessed value of property
within the city, and called attention to the
constitutional limit for Indebtedness of
municipal corporations. He showed that
our city debt was now largely in excess
of the constitutional limit; that the city
had no legal right to borrow dollar or to
increase its indebtedness in any manner.
In one month occupancy of the mayors
Office Maj. Butler has learned a good deal
from THE ARGUS. and we gladly give him
credit for being so good scholar. If he
continues in this course he will make very
good mayor
So far, the Democratic majority in the
council has shown an anxious desire to
observe and enforce the laws of the city;
economist in expenses, and to stop ex-
pending money and apply our resources to
the payment of debts. About $40 900 are
due on uncollected taxes. Probably $50
900 of this sum will be received within two
months The council should make such
calculations as to coming expenses that
this money will carry on the city govern
ment this coming year.
| The $1,000 raised for a building fund,
under DR.. Calls administration, but used
up illegally by our last years reckless
Republican administration, should be set
apart and either used this summer in
layingithe foundation for the new city hall
in Union Square, or else be securely in
vested so that it can be had whenever
wanted, for the purpose for which it was
raised A similar sum should be raised
IN our next tax levy, for the same purpose
Next, the council should make al
e estimate of the current and unavoidable
:, expenses, such as interest on debt, ex
J. penses of the police and fire departments
d gas, salaries, etc, and lay aside the money
:. out Of the incoming taxes to meet tina
u estimate.
:, Out of the balance, only such improve
|. ments should be made as can not b
IS avoided
n If there should then be anything LEI
l. apply it to a reduction of the city debt.
|. Let the council remember that tn
d money coming in on taxes must carry tn
city Cover nment through this year. n
money can be borrowed. Nor can the ia,
% OF next year be anticipated or draw
e upon. The taxes to be assessed andscollect
o deIare for the next Observation-Disclosures fc
4. the present. Let the aldermen remembe,
# then, if they use one dollar unnecessary
!. or withdraw one dollar from the estimate
y for which money should be laid aside, the
If will have to stop expenses for it will IL
- be legal to borrow-and if it is attemp.e
n to borrow an injunction will compel thel
% to dismiss policemen, shut off gas, land sto
is expenses.
:. The Democrats have the controllin
n power in the council in relation to thi
D matter No money can be expsnde,
without vote of the council, and til
people will hold the Democrats responsible
for not firmly adhering to some sue
- policy as is here laid down. From preser
indications we believe the mayor wi
81 cooperate in carrying out this policy.
70 WATER FILTERS. Parties that al
troubled with impure water, can find,
- using one of Don's Water Filters an
80 Coolers combined, will make it clear, an
cleanse 1t of all Impurities Also ju'
re received large lot of Refrigerators an
no Ice Boxes. DAVID Don. Is West Ills. S
le POLICE COURT.
r -