The daily Cairo bulletin. (Cairo, Ill.) 1878-1???, 1878-05-15
THE COUNCIL LAST NIGHT.


VIEW OF THE WORKINGS OF THE CITY
GOVERNMENT DURING THE PAST MUNICI-
PAL CONCENTRATIONS AND sueGrs.
TI0Ns-AN ORDINANCE RELATIVE TO THE
PROPOSED COMPROMISE OF THE CITY's
BONDED INDEBTEDNEss--MINOR MATTERS
OFFICERS FOR THE ENSUING YEAR.
At the meeting of the City Council last
night His Honor Mayor Winter and Coun-
cilmcn iocum, O'Callahan, Thistlewood,
Rittenhouse, Foley, Paticr, Halliday and
Lancaster were present.
The reading of the minutes of the pre-
yious meeting was dispensed with.
An ordinance providing for theholding of
special election and submission of the
question Of issuing bonds under the act
therein named, was read first ime and re-
fcwed.
The Comptrollcrs action on the Trcasur-
er's annual report was approved.
The street committee reported in favor
Of awarding the contract for the filing on
Commercial avenue to Julius Serbion; for
the filling on Thirteenth street to Thos.
Boyle, and'the report was adopted.
4 report was also made on the resolution
Of Aid. Foley to fill certain streets in the
Fourth ward, and the committee reported
in favor Of filling and draining such place.
in such streets as may in their judgment be
thought necessary.
Mayor Winter then proceeded to read his
annual message, and we are forced to CON
tent ourselves with making synopsis of i,
the crowded condition Of our columns for
bidding its publication in full in this issue,
as we intended and desired to do.
The Mayor after congratulating those
members who were rc-elcctcdat the late city
election, proceeds to Il review Of the city
government, and says that for the paSt
three years its administration has been
marked by economy, while its predecessors
were always expensive and some of them
cXtMyagant, 50 much soas toinyOlvcthe city
at the present time in bonded indebted
ness which is characterized as burdensomc,
In any plan to relieve the people, modcra-
ton is urged upon the Council in its action.
In speaking Of the proposition now pending
to compromise the bonded Indebtedness Of
the city (Which has been Published in de-
tail in TIE BULLETIN he says il is fair,
honorable and just; and he re-
CARDS il as the only true way Of clearing up
our financial affairs, but expresses his doubt
as to the ability of the taxpayers to meet
the increased taxation the measure would,
if in force, involve. II, however, the city
should gain the suit now pending in the
United States court at Springfield, he sug-
gests caution in any legislation having in
view a compromise, and thinks that this
generation will have done It's duty If it pays
the interest on the bonded debt leaving to
postcrity legacy Of the principal. In all
events the matter should be thoroughly
sitted and discussed, and the conclusion ar
rived at submitted to the people for their
action.
For the improved financial condition of
the city, he takes all the credit, and, ac-
cording to his showing, is entitled to a.
Of it. The whole plan was matured by
himself and submitted to the council The
chairman of the finance committee and
the committee itself at the conclusion of
this portion Of the message is highly COM
pimcntcd. II must say" says he, "that
the chairman Of the said committee for the
past three years together with the balance
of the committee the past year, has worked
faithfully and diligently, and guarded well
the trust rcposcd in them
In referring to streets and drainage, he
speaks Of the large amount of work ncccs-
sary to be done during the present year,
and suggests the adoption Of a plan Of re-
pairing old sidewalks with old lumber
from reconstructed walks, and the sub.
sttution Of ll-inch poplar plank for the
2-inch oak now used, when new walks arc
to be built. He also has kind word foi
cindcr walks, which, he says, are cheap and
desirable, and easily kept in repair.
The police department is dismissed will
a brief parg,aph-"it is well organized
considering its size, and the extent of ter
ritory" to be patrollcd.
A new Jail is needed, and one should b,
built as soon as practicable. As it is, it i,
is well managed and the prisoners WORKED
to advantage.
Notwithstanding the learned lcga
opinion Of the City Corporation
Council against its provisions he
Urges the passage Of the ordinance
now peacefully slumberng in committee
which, gives TO the city the power TO rcgu'
late wharycs, landing places, docks, etc.
The health Of the city has, he says, been
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