Lancaster daily intelligencer. [volume] (Lancaster, Pa.) 1864-1928, 1880-06-03
lamraster frltelligenrer.
The MayOr'S Message.


The annual message of Mayor Mac
Gonigle, read in councils last evening
and published to-day, is straightfor-
ward, clear and business-like paper, such
as his official course has given the public
reason to expect from him. He has
proven an upright, fearless and intel
ligent executive officer of our municipal
government, and our citizens can read
with confidence his views upon the con-
dition of the city and his recommended
tion, concerning its wants and interests.
1t is especially gratifying to them to be
informed that his policy of 6 no oexpen-
ditures in excess Of the appropriations" "
and no permanent debts for temporary
purposes" has been at length so far i'm
pressed upon the municipal government
that there is for the first time in many
years truthful exhibit of an actual de-
crease in the city's debt for the fiscal
year of Sl1 600. 1t is to be regretted that
there are still some lingering deficiencies
illegally and improvidently incurred
to be provided for it is to be hoped that
these are the last that will disgrace our
municipality.
The mayors suggestions regarding the
delay in receiving some of the yearly rev
enues so long after they are appropriated
are valuable and should be needed
In fact there might be an entire recon.
struction of the city years." so that the
municipal and fiscal years be made to be-
gin at the same time and the bulk of the
municipal revenues be paid in prior t(
their expenditure. The legislation nee
essary to secure this concurrence should
be framed and effected without further
delay. There is no advantage in thu
present system g; there is no excuse fOl
it's continuance.
The present street committee will, W.
trust, heed the admonition given to then
10y the mayors precepts, as well as b!
their predecessors example, and work
within the law and the appropriation
There must be no transgression of eitlier
no matter how pressing the necessity
Once for all, lie it understood that ther,
is no safety for any municipality admin
istered otherwise than in strict conform
ity with the ordinances and statutes.
The water question is discussed a
length and in an intelligent and compre
hensive manner. 1t raises questions tina
must be met and which should receiv,
careful as well as prompt consideration
Every investment in water works i'm
.provements, if judiciously managed, Cal
be made profitable and self sustaining
the increased revenue from water rent
will always pay the interest on necessar.
improvements. When such return i
not assured, the necessity for enlarge
ment of water supply facilities is rarel,
pressing: but when liberal income from
the outlay can he demonstrated there
should he no hesitation in providing tha,
abundance of water which not only the
convenience, but the safety, the sanitar.
interests, and the material prosperity o
all the citizens demand.
The mayors reports and recommenda
tiOns in the lamp, police, fire and law
departments present topics of interes
that merit the consideration of the pub
lie and of councils. The streets should
be well lighted and the parties contract
ing should be held to the satisfactory
discharge of their undertaking. The
mayors strict enforcement of police dis
cipline has had good effect in improv
ing the force. The fire de
partment is improving under the
efficient chief engineer; the poor relief
fund has been generously swelled by the
late Gen. James L. Reynolds's bequest
in the law department the most unsatiS
factory item is the suspension of action
in the suits against the Pennsylvani;
railroad company for its dangerous and
defiant violation of the city ordinances
the new solicitor should press this mat
ter to conclusion.
On the whole the message exhibits an
improved municipal condition. and goes
far to Justify the wisdom of our towns
people in supporting and continuing 6
municipal government that administers
public affairs on the same basis that
makes private business successful anG
creditable.
Fixing the Responsibility.