Wood County reporter. [volume] (Grand Rapids [i.e. Wisconsin Rapids], Wis.) 1857-1923, 1880-03-18
Mayor Vaiedict0ry.

GENTLEMEN: - 4 few moments
more and this council will have adj
iourned sine die-its labors will have
closed-its lawful term will have ex-
pired, and | would embrace this
chance to thus publicly acknowledge
the uniform kindness and assistance
received at the hands of the several
city officers during my administra
ton of two terms and Of the sever
al members Of the old and Of this
council. While I am profoundly
grateful to all these, and to my fell
low citizens generally for their kind
forbearance Of my mistakes, | am
especially so for the hearty co-opera-
ton Of City Treasurer Spatford in so
managing the finances as to assist In
bringing about a result SO satisfac-
tory to every taxpayer. Two years
ago, our municipal Indebtedness was
s., 141.13; a year ago this had been
reduced to $l90O.41. To-day the
last matured Indebtedness was paid.
All judgments, in which is included
the engine bond tax, are wiped out,
and several thousand dollars 10
money and in county orders now lie
in the treasury with which to meet
the current expenses of the city.
Every obligation has been paid
promptly and without pattiality,
whenever there have been funds,
and Just Exactly as the council Or
dered-aIl rumors and charges to
the contrary Notwithstanding. Not
q dollar has been misapplied or
wasted; but great care aud study
have been exercised in making Civ
Ell amount OF money pay the lar3 est
amount Of expenses.
1t is also a matter for congratula-
ton that such good order has pre-
vailed in our community for some
year5 past. Rarely do we notice
the reeIin@ sot Oh our streets or
bo;sterous or disorderlv conduct up
on the part of either residents o.
transients. This indicates a growing
sentiment in favor Of sobriety. 1t
has become unpopular to drink ar
dent spirits as beverage. Some
years since the total abstainers apol-
ogized for being temperate; to-do Y
| the Incorporate seek excuses for the
habit. A few years since, the front
doors Of drinking places were thrown
wide open; to-day, the bar is either
in the rear end Of room Or in the
rear room Of the building, and al
ways with screen near the front
door. 4 few years since; the intern
perate sta!ked boldly up to the bar
for his day he sneaks up
and is ashamed of his practice,
These signs are encouraging to the
faithful veIl-wisher of his. race, and
are worth more than all the legisla-
ton that can be enacted. In fact,
this srate Of things must necessarily
exiss before any reformation legisla-
ton would be eff any practical val
! NC.
l am most happy to ,elinquish
this chair to our distinguished fel-
low citizen, the Hon. {. VI. Webb
a gentleman sd long identified with
the interests Uf tile City, and so gen
orally and favorably known-an init
mate personal friend, and a very
able man.
More than one half of this COIN
Gil are about to renounce their off,
cial trust and responsibility, to be
supplanted by new members, and
while each of the outgoing con2rat-
-ulate themselves, they will join me
in congratuating the incoming, and
in wishing them pleasant, prosper
Gus and profitable career in both
their individual and official capaci-
ties.
I now declare Ills common coun-
ell adjourned fa!tiiout day.
j. y. BRUNDAGE.