The Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1877-1885, 1878-03-18
CITY COUNCIL.
Special Meeting---ofRcial Report.

Special Meeting Official Report.
CRY COUNCIL Room, Rock ISLAND,
March l6, I87S-7:3O p. M.-The Council
met in special session. Present-Mayor
Butler, and Aldermen Carse, O'Neil,
Lundy, Schlemmer, Huber, Simmons,
Woods, Brooks, Davis and Warnock.
Minutes of the meetings held March 4,
5, and s. were read and approved.
Report of the City Clerk giving the
annual financial condition of the city was
read and referred to the Finance Com
mittee.
Report of j. M. Buford, City Treasurer,
giving the net proceeds of funding bonds
sold aud the amount applied to taking up
outstanding notes against 1.-THE city, was
read and referred to thel Finance Com
mittee,
Alderman Carse offered the following
resolution for adoption:
Resolved, That the evidences of indebt-
edness taken up with the proceeds of the
funding bonds be, after cancellation, sealed
up in a package and deposited with the
City Treasurer for safe keeping and ref
ereuce. Carried.
An ordinance leasing go feet of the levee
to the Diamond 10 Line, for ten years, was
read and laid over, on motion of Alderman
Schlemmer.
The petition of Spencer & Robinson, in
relation to changing the ferry landing was
read and laid over, on motion OF Alder
man Schlemmer.
No further business, the Council ad-
jOurned SINE die
The newly elected mayor and aldermen
were sworn in and took their seats. City
clerk called the roll and the members
answered to their names as follows:
Mayor Reynolds and Aldermen O'Neil,
Koch, Lundy, Schlemmer, Simmons,
Cameron, Brooks, Anawalt, Warnock and
Hitler.
The inaugural address of Mayor Rey
nolds was read and ordered filed, being al
follows:
Gentlemen of the City Council Of the Cit5
Of Rock Island:
Having been elected Mayor of this city
it becomes my duty to preside at the meet
ings OF the council; 10 bring to your motto,
such matters as may come to my knowl
edge, requiring your action; and to rec
ommend such measures as may be for lh
benefit and protection of the interests c
our citizens. In pursuance of these or
jects | would respectfully call attention
the following topics:
FIRsT-THE CITY FINANCES.
1t will be your duty as City Council I
faithfully guard the credit of the city, an
to provide for the prompt payment of tn
accruing interest upon the citys bonde
Indebtedness; also to manage the receipt
and expenditures with such prudence an
fidelity as to prevent any further increas
of the city debt during the present admin
IafrntIOn nj M dnnht this
the constitutional limit of indebtedness
upon the assessed valuation of taxsb
property within the limits of the the city
jurisdiction has been reached, and you wi
therefore see the necessity of workiu
within our means. Let no outside clamC
swerve you from your duty in this respec
for upon the economical use of our n
sources, and upon our keeping within OF
means, depends the city's welfare and Il
success of its financial management. tn
condition OF the country everywhere, IN tt
present juncture of affairs, should be q
Impressive lesson to US in matters of
nance, and legislative bodies may profit |
the lesson as we'll as individuals.
sECOND-THE CITY WATER WORKS.
1t will be proper and necessary to kcC
in order aud protect all of the water worI
rents are promptly collected.
1t gives me pleasure to say, that Il
water works report for the past year,
giving proper credit for use By the city
the fire plugs or NEUTRALITY-SUSPICIOUS. that til
department has become nearly self-su
tanning; and with increased use of wat
for manufacturing and household purpos
consequent upon the growth of the cit
there Is every reason to expect by prude
management and prompt collection of rem
the'water works will not only prove sel
sustaining, but source of revenue to Il
city, at no distant date.
THIRD-sTREETs AND ALLEYS.
The proper management of the stree
and alleys OF the city is one of the mo
important interests committed to you
charge aud will require attentive conside
alton at your hands.
As the city has no regular and efiiciel
system Of drainage by sewers, the que
ton OF keeping the streets and alleys cles
becomes serious one. A due regard f
the health OF the inhabitants, aud as ma
ter OF common benefit, they should |
thoroughly cleaned at the earliest peric
possible would recommend that this |
done. as soon as the finances at YOUR con
mand for that purpose will permit. Ina
much, also, as the city has no place whel
garbage and filth can be deposited won
recommend that the City Council proyit
suitable place for such deposits.
would further recommend, and ur,
upon your attention, the necessity of kee
Ing the thoroughfares entering the CITY
as good condition as the finances at con
mand will permit; upon the favorable
unfavorable condition of these avenues
approach TO the centre of business large
depends the amount of trade and int
course with the inhabitants of the adiace
towns, and surrounding country; at I
present time there is but one main sire
leading into the city which is commendab
or at all suitable to the necessities of traC
lor city of the size and importance
thus; l would specially commend this an
1ect TO your consideration, and would r,
0mmend that whatever improvements %