Mexico weekly ledger., 1877-05-17

VI anu du lHe McLlOeIS
present
Petition to open and widen Clark
avenue, etc., referred to committe on
streets and alleys.
Ordered that Judge T. D. Mar
shall be continued as Supt. of City
cemetery.
The resignation of Mr.. J.. n. Bas-
ket as city engineer was received and
accepted.
The following is his resignation as
read by the clerk:
MEXICO, Mo, May, Sd, 1877.
To the Honorable City Council of
the city of Mexico, Missouri:
GENTLEMEN:-I have been in
formed, though not officially, that you
did me the honor of elccting me city
engineer for the ensuing term, as re-
quired by the city charter. Permit
me to thank you gentlemen, for the
honor intended, but allow me to state
that NIB existing ordinances, and
espec h the existing mode and
prcctpy as' ,%2nstruing the meaning
of theNiliybno It'll regard to city en-
gineeo. vocife, >ehnd duties |. cannot
facceT ia Man%c. ce. The grades of
streefa Re already established
and d i part Of the city ordinances.
are scefhorouglly Impractical that it
is totally impossible to give grades
satisfactorily to both individuals and
city. In fact, it is impossible to
work under them and have them con-
form to our present established build
ings. so it has been the custom OF
the council to disregard them and yet
leave them us a part of the ordinances
unrepealed. \ thorough revision of
grades is necessary, making them con
form to things as they III and not
altogether to things rs they should be.
Again, the charter gives the city en-
gineer the control Of all public
works, the letting OF all contracts,
etc, which matters are and have al
ways been stdeously kept out of
his hands as much rs possible. and
entirely manipulated by special COM
mittees. Lastly the wages Of the en-
gineer are of a lower grade than those
Of the street commissioner, and few
engineers would be willing to work
for four times the amount.
| admit gentlemen, there is little
need for an engineer connected with
the government of our little city. but
there are some small things in that
line which need watching and keep
ING in order rs we Irow-so that one
interest may not get ahead of another,
and after we have acquired size find
ourselves out of proportion. The
city Of Burlington, Iowa, suddenly
awakening to greatness. has spent
more money recently setting out and
cutting down to q proper line OF
grades, than Il competent engineer
would have cost her from the time
she needed one and had not ChicaTO'~
fire - lcvclcd all things the streets
in the most business portion of the
city would to-day have been rolling
their muddy slime on to the side walks.
Taking advantage of the costly OPP
p%Ortunity they raised the grade of the
new buildings in many places four OF
five feet. We should begin to look
forward to eve interests, as doubt
less the health and comfort of our
city would be greatly improved now
had we one or two main sewers run
ming through the taickcst portion OF
our city, to which sewer from the
vUarious individual premises could be
led. Should we at any future time,
take on gas and water, the grading
done in the streets now will be in
from money thrown away. Therefore,
while | cannot serve you under exist
ing circumstances, and while with
Your present mode of management
YOU have little or no need for an en-
~gincccr, still l would impress upon
YOU the necessity - of keeping an
eye upon engineering interests, not
so much for what we are us for what
we may become. Again thanking
YOU gentlemen for the honor YOU have
rendered me. | am most respect
fully, Yours, &c.
J. y. BASKETT.
L. ST. will turn oven the few
things belonging to the city, to any
one the Council may appoint to re-
ceive them. j. n. Is.
T. w. Carter was unanimously
elected to fill the vacancy.
Recorder was ordered to prepare
the Bond Of White & Botkin, city
wcighcrs. ut the sum of $500.
Ordered that Jackson street, north
side, west of Western avenue be re-
paired by street commissioner. includ-
ing Il bridge.
Repairs on Love street and Wcs-
tern aycnue were ordered TO he
made.
Ordered that crossing in front
of White 4 Botkin's stable on Promo
made street be repaired.
Geo. Runkle asked remission of
fine of 81 and costs imposed for keep
ing a 'ne gance. The petition not
hainU ie ~ernnnr form was loiA nra"
Ordange hat Johnson street he
opened, w to Frank Kilgores prop
erty, antraotsl II and /, block 7, re-
TERED to jury to condemn.
Warrant drawn in favor of Geo.
Runkle for $50.
Henry Kunkel's poll tax was re-
mitted, being over age.
Three crossings, Nos. |, 2, aud ,,
on Promenade was referred To street
and alley committee.
Alley south of Catholic Church.
: running east and west, referred tt
street and alley committee for open
ing.
nrIIG All DWEn