Daily globe., 1879-05-13

was unanimously elected president of the
council, and Aid. Thos. Grace was unani-
mously elected vice president.
Aldermen Dowlsn and Sanborn were ap-
pointed to wait on his honor, the mayor, and
inform him that the council was now ready to
receive any communication he might have to
make.
Hon. VIM. Dawson, mayor elect, came for
ward and took the oath of Office, and deliv-
cred the following message:
MAYORS OFFICE,
SAINT PAUL. May 9Th, 1879.
To the Honorable the President and the Com
mon Council of the city of st. Paul.
1t is customary at the first meeting of the
Council after each yearly municipal election
that the Mayor should read communication
presenting his views on the various subjects in
which our city is chiefly interested.
The election having been held on the 9Th inst.
gives too short time for the Mayor to have
prepared a lengthy message.
Having served in the management of CITY
government with many of you, your action in
the past is guarantee for the future of con-
tinued good management and strict economy
in all our city affairs. One hundred and fifteen
thousand dollars of our bonds bearing per
cent. interest sold at one and thirty-seven hun
dredths dollars premium. This shows our
financial credit above any city of our size in the
West, and nearly equal to any city in the
nation.
Our tax for the year 1878 was l3 mills on the
dollar for all purposes, city, county and State.
believe this is the lowest rate of any city in
the whole nation. Our entire debt is $l,47l,-
444.77. The valuation of real estate and per
debt had to be paid off in two years, an addi-
tional tax o 81 per cent. would wipe it out
This would not be much more than is now be-
ing paid yearly by many municipalities in the
United States. congratulate you on our pres
ent financial condition.
During residence of nearly twenty years
in Saint Paul, 1 have carefully watched our
city government, and during that time, while
there may have been mistakes made the city
government was generally fairly and honestly
managed.
RAILROAD AFFAIRS.
The long and tedious law suit between the
stock and bond holders of the st. Paul & Pacific
railroad has been happily ended. Arrange
mentB have been made between this company
and the Northern Pacific Railroad, which Sc
cures ground in our city for depot purposes,
which virtually makes St. Paul the Eastern
terminus of this great national railroad COM
pany. The st. Paul & Pacific Railroad is now
in the hands of men with plenty of capital,
and who are determined to push forward their
of the State and the building up of our city.
The magnificent country through which these
two great corporations extend, when fully cul-
tivated, will build up city here greater than
our most sanguine men anticipate. A country
for wheat raising unequalled on the globe and
for stock grazing. This vast region must be
seen many times before it's richness
ard beauty can be comprehended.
The arrangements made with the St. Paul &
Sioux City Railroad company to locate their
machine shops in the western part of our city
| viii add largely to our Immediate prosperity
This road is also rapidly pushing its way further
State.
PUBLIC IMPROVEMENTS.
great union passenger depot, transfer
| railroad company open to all railroads entering
| our city on fair and equal terms, several large
| freight depots, short line railroad between st
Paul and Minneapolis, the completion of
wagon bridge ut Fort Smelling with broad
avenue leading to it, a stately and commodiou
market house. are some of the many public i'm
provements we will accomplished befor,
another year rolls round.
FIRE DEPARTMENT.
Our fire department consists Of four steam
| ire eng ines, four hose carriages, one hook and
ladder company, manned by thirty nine mel
! and fourteen horses, under the superintendent
of chief engineer, assistant engineer and su
perintcndent of fire alarm. This department
stands high on the roll of honor throughou
the nation, and is regarded with just pride b,
our people. The entire cost of the department
for the past year was, including repairs O
buildings, 1913, ,960.82. For further particular
I refer you to Chief Engineer Strong's report
THE POLICE.
Our police force consists of1 chief, l captain
sergeant detective, 27 patrolmen, to whic
might be added 2 bailiffs for the municipa
court and one jailer. This department has al
tended to their duty faithfully, with very fe,
exceptions, and, so far rs am aware, with yer
general satisfaction to e public. The cos
of the force during the past year was $3l, ,S45.
Is. For larticulars refer you to Chief Wei
ber's report. M
BOARD OF PUBLIC WORKS.
The Board of Public Works which is one q
the most important branches of our city 20,
ernment has had large amount of busines
before it during the past year. The wor
which is being done by this body is indicati,
of returning business activity, and it gives m
pleasure to commend the care and watchfulnes
which governs it's deliberations. The follow
ing is the record of the street work done b
this branch of the city government during tn
past year:
Mile
IaVeu.