The Vancouver independent. (Vancouver, W.T. [Wash.]) 1875-1910, 1879-12-04
MESSAGE OF THE MAYOR.
TO the Hon. Common Council ofMe City of
Vancouver:


chapter of the charter, endeavor to pre-
sent to you the general condition and affairs
of our City, and present for your considera-
ton such measures as deem proper for the
public good.
At first, would say that the state of our
treasury shows cash on hand, $26.7O; the
unpaid tax list now in the hands of the col
lector amounts to, if all collected, s2OS.OO;
making the total assets 1894. 70. The orders
registered and yet unpaid amount to S2l4OO
and the orders unpaid and not registered APP
proximate $4,000 There are claims against
the City, laying on the table subject to your
order, of about $4,000; thus showing the
Indebtedness of the city to be about SlS4.0O,
with the exception of the contract price for
the fire cisterns, which have not yet been
received by the council from the contractor
think it unnecessary to levy special
tax now to liquidate this small Indebtedness
as there is good prospect that the incoming
revenue will be sufficient to liquidate the
amount and carry on the government of the
city, as it has been carried ON, until you may
see fit to levy the next annual tax.
In regard to improvements I would say
that the work of grading Main street and
improving the sidewalks should be done as
soon as practicable, as an ordinance estab-
fishing the grade and sidewalks from the
river up to 9th Street, has already been
passed, and it only remains to carry out its
intents.
Considering the location of our town, nat
urally beautiful as it is, with very little work
or expense it can be made one of the most
handsome towns on the coast. Heretofore
but very little could have been done in re-
gard to identifying our streets and public
places, the Park, Levee and Cemetry, on &C.
count of the expensive contest and settle
inent of which has rested on the title to
property, and has been drawback to the
propricty of the town for 20 years But
now, all is settled except Il portion west
of Main street, and this lies between the
citizens and property holders themselves.
/ 1t would be well now to take into con-
silera:ion the propriety of turning your
attention in some degree towards internal
Improvements.
An ordinance in regard to lighting the
streets is in existence, and | would suggest
that 4 lamp in front of the City Hall would
not he out OF place.
We have no city Jail, and prisoners have
to be taken sometimes under difficulties to
the county Jail and kept and fed at great ex-
ponsc to the city; and | would recommend
that you consider the ACCESSIBILITY OF build
ing a city Jail in rear OF the Engine House.
to be in control of the Marshal, and that
prisoners be made to work at the public
! places and streets, which | think would APP
pear more Of punishment to offenders than
the heretofore practiced method of keeping
them in the county Jail idle enjoying first
class hotel fares
Our Fire Department, an organization
which We can not do without, seems to me
somewhat dilapidated, and requires recon
struction. In connection with this subject
would recommend that the upper story of
the City Hall be fitted up pleasantly, and
with periodicals, books and newspapers for
the use of the members of the department,
that it may be attractive to our young men
and pleasant place for them to.meet
| also recommend that steps be taken to-
wards the purchasing of a steam fire engine
which may be purchased at terms to suit.
This suggestion, however, may be consd-
cred premature but it would be well to in
augurate the move now. We have been
very fortunate for this last twelve years, but
If fire should occur in the lower part OF
the town with a southerly wind great de.
struction and loss may be the consequence,
and it would be much better now to prepare
for emergencies by adding to our present ia
cilities
In regard to the health, cleanliness and
police OF the city, | would say that an ordi-
nance has been in the hands of one of the
committees of the former council for twelve
months which was intended to prevent the
spread of contagious diseases, but it was not
reported upon. would call your earnest
attention to this matter, for while prccaution
may not prevent altogether contagious dis
eases, yet to a great extent it will check
them at but very little expense.
Arrangements should be made with the
Marshal to have either himself or one of his
deputies constantly about the streets, put
ting stop to any indecent and boisterous
conduct of persons disturbing the peace and
doing mischief, to the great annoyance of