The daily Cairo bulletin. (Cairo, Ill.) 1878-1???, 1879-05-08
MAYOR THISTLEWO0D'S INAu-
GURAI..

MEANS WITH VIEW TO THE MAlNTEN-
ANcE or THE CGTY'S CREDIT; THECONstM-
ALTON OF THE PENDING FUNDING AR
RANGEMENT: THE SUBSTITUTION OF BRICk
AND CINDERs FOR PLANK IN THE con
srRICTION OF SURFACE SIDEWALKS: MORE
EFFICIENT MEANS FOR THE COLLECTION
OF SPECIAL ASSESSMENTS; Liberal EN.
COURAGEMENT TO THE FIRE DEPARTMENT,
ETC
Gentlemen, Members of the city Council;
We have met together, this evening, in
our official capacity to assume the impor-
tant duties that have been imposed upon
us by our fellow citizens,
With some of you it has been my pleas
ure to serve as member of the city coun
Gil for number of years; others Of you
assume for the first time the duties and re-
sponsiblitics of members OF the city COY
eminent.
The occasion, then, Of entering upon a
new official year IN the history of Cairo Is
one Of more than ordinary occurrence;
and avail myself of the OPP
portunty thus afforded to call your attcu-
ton to things which in my Judgment affect
our well being, prosperity and happinc>~ as
u people,
Our natural advantages of location, our
river and railroad facilities, and the com
mercial enterprise of our people have much
to do with the growth and prosperity Of our
city; yet take it that none or all Of these
things can exercise so much influence upon
that which tends to make us prosper, as the
character and administration of our local or
city government.
If you whose duty it is to enact the laws
and ordinances of the city, and those to
whom their execution is entrusted,
are capable and honest, the govern
ment will command the respect and con
fidence of not only its own citizens, but
from all without who may be brought in
contact with it.
The citizen will feel that his interest and
the interest of the city will not be retard-
ed, but carefully guarded and protected
Local or municipal government is bur
then assumed by the people for the better
protection of life and property; and is a
government that more directly concerns its
subjects than does either the government Of
the state or nation
If the administration Of local affairs is
exercised with discretion, honesty and I'M
Partially, local government becomes a
blessing; but if it is cxtrayagant dishon-
est and tends to encourage vice. immortality
and the violation of law, it becomes u bur,
den upon the citizen and taxpayer,
If the Jaws and ordinances Of the city
adopted for the government and protection
of its citizens, are wise and command their
respect and approval. they should be faith
fully executed by those to whom their cX-
ecution may be entrusted,
If they are not Of that character to com
mandboth respect and approval they should
be repealed,
FINANCES
The financial condition of the city re-
gard as being healthy one. Provision
being made to pay the current expenses OF
the city in cash thus enables the city
to contract for its supplies or for any
improvement on as favorable terms as the
most prompt paying business men Of the
city.
The last monthly statement of the city
treasurer shows balance on hand of
twenty-five thousand six hundred and sixty
two dollars and thirteen cents. 4 large
portion Of this amount will be needed to
pay the interest on the new bonds of the
city, as provided in the ordinance making
the annual appropriations
1t is we'll known to you all that the old
uCDl vi VIC NIlN Ilull USSuIllpll pro
portions believed by many, to be in excess
of our ability to pay, and the representa-
tives Of the city had--acting on that belief
refused to pay either principal or inter.
est or any portion of it,
1t is also known to you that the city has,
acting in conformity to An election held
June 21th, A, d. 1878, and by authority of
an ordinance passed bv the CITY Council.
issued its bonds Of the value of two hun.
dred and seventy thousand dollars. bearing
interest, payable annually, at the rate
Of six per cent. The first bonds falling due
in four years from July LIST, A. D. 1878, and
distributed so that all shall fall due and be
paid within twenty years.
These bonds are now in the hands of the
finance committee, to be exchanged for the
old bonds now outstanding, and drawing a
higher rate Of interest.
The terms of the settlement or
exchange, as you all understand