Alpena weekly argus. [volume] (Alpena, Mich.) 1871-1893, 1878-04-10

The Common Council Of the city OF
Alpena met in the Council Room on
Monday evening, April 9Th, 1878, and
was called to order Immediately after
the adjournment sine die of the old
Council.
PRESENT. - George A. Butterfel1
Mayor; A. r. Mcdonald, Recorder, and
Aldermen Brown, Burrell, Golling,
Healy and Tins. Absent, Alderman
Rayburn.
RULES ADOPTED.
Moved by Alderman Healy, that the
rule of order of the last Council be
adopted for the government of this
Council for the ensuing year. Ayes
Brown, Burrell, Golling, Healy and
Tins. Carried.
The Mayor then read the following
address
GENTLEMEN In assuming the office
of Mayor of this city, have thought It,
best to briefly call your attention to n
few facts in respect to the government
OF the city for the ensuing year. Our
citizens have entrusted us, a. their SER
wants, with the control of the city af-
fairs. We must bear in rlind that we
are hut the servants of the people, hold
ing our positions in trust for the bene-
fit of the entire people, irrespective of
party, association, or denomination.
find from the records, that the total
Indebtedness OF the city, at present, is
S2,6611S. This amount Is now unpro-
vided for also find from an examin-
alton Of the records, that since the or
ganzation of the city, in 1871, there has
been expended for street and sewer pur-
poses, the sum of about $4,000. There
Is widespread feeling among our citi-
Zens that the results of this large ex-
pendture has not been as beneficial ms
1t should have been. Many of the ditch
es heretofore made. have not accom-
plished the purpose for which they were
designed and this, In my opinion, Is
largely owing to the fact that the sew
erage Of the city was not commenced
properly in the first place. | would,
therefore, recommend that there be i'm
medlately adopted, some general plan or
system of sewerage for the whole city;
the plan or system should be thoroughly
Investigated by competent persons, and
when perfected, should be adopted and
become permanent record OF the city.
so that future Councils might work
from the same plan. Our motto should
be, whatever we do, see that IL Is done
so that IL will be lasting benefit to the
city" II we only build ten rods Of sew
erage this year let IL be so built that Il
will he lasting and substantial benefit,
and built in accordance with the pener-
al plan that have suggested, so that
our successors can add TO IL, and year
by year we will add to our sewerage.
and In the end have something for the
money expended
have not had time rs yet TO inquire
or investigate fully Into the fire depart
ment OF the city, hut from what know
about II, think our fire companies are
pretty well organized. / therefore re-
commend you not TO make many changes
at present In officers, engineers. etc.
You may hear from me again soon In
reference TO the fire department.
The police department Is one of the
most important that we have 10 deal
with, for on the efficiency of the depart.
ment depends the good order and peace
OF the city. In selecting officers for this
department, men OF good moral and
physical ability should be chosen
men who are willing 10 stand M and
battle for the good order and peace Of