Iowa County democrat. [volume] (Mineral Point, Wis.) 1877-1938, 1878-04-12
Mayor spensley's Address.

| GENTLEMEN or THE COMMON CoUN-
CIL:-In addition to what l commune
Gated to the Common Council last year
have but little to add. | renew my
suggestions in reference to the neces-
Sity of providing for the basis of fire
department. or at least to furnish
facilities IN the way of reservoirs or
tanks SO as to aid III extinguishing
fires. 1t must be apparent to all that
the property which pays the great por-
ton of taxes in this city has no ade-
quate protection against fire.
The recommendation as to a uni
form system Of city accounts which
were presented the City Council at
their first meeting last year las not
been adopted. The experience Of the
Council for the past year shows the
necessity Of carrying this out, and u
provide that system Of accounts shall
be adopted under which no money
shall be paid into the treasury, or
paid out, Of which the City Clerk has
not IN entry in his books. The City
| Clerk is the constant attendant Of the
Council, and should at all times have
| the means mt his command of inform
ing the City Council as TO any matters
before them. Under the present sys-
TEN this cannot be done.
In the past year, rs heretofore, there
has been a great deal of discussion as
to the enforcing Of the laws and
ordinances of the State and city. The
blame for any and all infractions on
the law and ordinaces has been placed
upon the Mayor of the city. How UNI
justly anyone can see.
The Mayor has no more power to
enforce laws and ordinances than any
alderman, sheriff, deputy sheriff, or
constable Of the city. 1t is true that
it is the duty OF the Mayor to see tint
all the laws of the State and ordinan.
ces of the city are enforced. But it
is also provided by the Charter of our
city that the Mayor is the exclusive
tribunal to try all violations of law or
the ordinances of the city occurring
within its limits, unless he declines to
act. All such complaints must be
made to him.
The Mayor, therefore, should not be
held responsible for violations of the
laws of the State OF the ordinances Of
the city. He cannot complain and at the
same time be Judge us to the merits
Of the complaint. 1t is the duty of any
officer Of the city to make complaints
us to any violation of the law or ordi-
nances Of the city. 1t is the pRlyi-
LEaE df not the duty Of any citizen
to do the same.
When amy such complaint is made |
shall consider it my duty to investi-
gate it. a complaint made by IN officer
OF the city will be considered prima
tacie correct. But rs to all complaints,
If there is not probability of sustain
ing them on trial, | shall take the re-
sponsibility--no matter how much it
may otfend-of disregarding them. and
thereby saving expense to the city. If
officers and citizens will only heed the
above suggestions there will not lie
any opportunity, much less amy occa-
sion for any AMBITIOUS NaNENTITEs
to lnllign by SANDER or libel the efforts
Of the officers of the city TO Ito their
duty.
Gentlemen, ut the end of the official
year, no matter what all may do, we
shall have the blame of some one.
Let us do our whole duty and hold
ourselves responsible for the result.
CALVERT SrENsLEY, Mayor.