Alpena weekly argus. [volume] (Alpena, Mich.) 1871-1893, 1881-04-13

Total cost of the works, slOo51
The first series of bonds, including
interest, less the estimate amt
received for water, will have cost
the city at the end Of five years, $500
Second series at end OF 10 years, 2S250
Third series at end of ID years, $4,000
Fourth series at end Of 20 years, 1850 1890
Amount in favor city buying work., 1850
Perhaps il would be unfair 10 fix the winter rate
beyond sufficient amount 20 barely pay the running
expenses of the works and leave out the Sl0O00 no.
ceiyed receipts for water and there Is $lOi5u n
favor OF the city owning the works, ana then n I'M
sinking fund Is properly placed there ought TO I'd
from eight TO ten thousand dollars interest ON IL dur
ing the whole twenty years IN which the works are bc
ing paid for, which will make the amout IN favor o.
the city buying the works about $4,000.
SEWERAGE.
Some two years ago the work Of putting clay til'
| sewers commenced. Since that time there lI
been laid 1900 lineal feet and has far proved
grand success Let the good work De continued yclI
by year until sufficient has boon laid 10 carry away
all the surface water in the city, and IL will decrease
the malaria 10 wonderful degree, and add healthtu
ness and beauty TO the city.
STREET IMPROVEMENT.
During the past few years some progress has been
made in the way of crawling streets Many are OF
the opinion that IL is a nuisance l am ui the opin-
ion that 1t will answer AS foundation for paving II
properly placed and cared tor. Before THIS project rs
carried farther there ought 10 be grade established
by competent surveyor, with cutters ON each side OF
the street TO carry away the water and then We
would not be wallowng in the mud every time there
comes q shower Of rain.
POLICE.
II certainly must be gratifying 10 all good citizens
for the peace and good order which generally pre-
walls throughout the city, considering the amount Of
transient population that this well every other
numbering town, is subject 10. We must expect IT.
reguartiss and violations of law as long rs mper-
feet human nature lasts. To overcome this, every
citizen has part 10 perform, for which he or she ls
personally responsible, and cannot be avoided, as
some Of our citizens seem 10 think may be done by
an -np wit l. fhs
duty of the Council TO appoint good men TO nll The
various city offices; men who will fcarlcssly perform
their duties az all times, and It IL equally the duty Of
the citizens to aid the officers in the performance OF
such duty.
Under our charter the Mayor cannot appoint per-
mancnt police, neither has he power TO remove such
officer Tor neglect Of duty. | believe IL would De Cd
wise policy 10 change the charter in such way Us 20
give more power to the Mayor in the matter OF ape
continents and removals and allow the Council 20 CJu-
d m such recommendations as he may make Then,
chief executive officer OF the city hC can De held
personally responsible for the performance of duty
by such appointed officer, The assembling of squads
OF lettering men and boys on the corners OF the
Streets IN tue evenings aud on Sundays 70 gaze az
passers by, ought 10 be prevented. With our present
small police force tins may sometimes be found dim
cult beg leave 10 suggest way 20 increase the
force 70 some extent without materially increasing
the expense, viz BY appointing the tcamsters be-
longing 10 the Fire Department policemen OF per
b Pc the foreman Of each hose company could be-
paid officer and required TO do police duty, keeping
within Il reasonable distance Of the engine houses
when not on actual fire duty.
FIRE DEPARTMENT.
Our Fire Companies are perhaps as well organized
Is could reasonably be expected for volunteer COM
1anies IL Is difficult TO secure good men and retain
hem under such system, Pad companies would
mt.
BOARD or EDUCATION.
Much credit is due 10 the members Of our school
3oard for the efficient manner in which they have
Yer performed the duties OF the offices. believe.
However, that the plan Of nominating candidates for
members of the Board OF Education ~ Ward caucus
IS 70 be elected at our charter election is defective
n my opinion the charter ought 20 be so amended
IS 70 give power 10 the Mayor 90 nominate cand!-
atcs an equal number from each ward irrgspecflva
4 political parties, and confirmed by the tounCl. .
Il tact all ofhces hIIed by appointment should be
0ne in the same manner No MAYOR standing up
efOre the people with that responsibility upon MN
VII Intentionally make improper nominations II I
e should err IN Judgment, public sentiment would /.
&C upon the Council aud cause the rejection OF them
his plan would do away with the dangers of making
improper omlnaiions Of candidates Tor members OF
he Board OF Education, which Is so often done in /
ackcd caucuses.
TISANcrs.
The city finances are in much healthier condition
han could reasonably be expected considering the .
reat amount of liabilities which necessarily had tp
{ assumed the past year In our report OF finances
larch 80, $780, printed in the ARGUS Of that date IL
MI appear that the city Is in debt 10 the amount of
377Ol there should be taken from this amount as
ollovs: In hands of eX-Treasurtr buchanan s6sj rs
licenses OF drays shows, hawkers peddlers siSg 90
Oldl cciJOl, Nhlcn reduces the indebtedness the
lty March 80 1851, 70 sl,50149. You gentlemen are
be congratulated that the debt is so small II will
e remembered that last season was an extremely
ret one, which necessarily created and forced upon
on many petitions from all quarters. urging the I
eoessity Of immediate drainage and street improve
tents, some of which you could not reasonably L.
st; when some OF the petitions offered 20 take up
40 orders issued for such purposes and carry them
yer until the next year. There arc on hand not laid
COO feet Of IL inch tile for sewer on Commercial
rect, Third ward, for which orders have been ISSUED
the amount OF $3.50. There has also been orders
sued and paid on new engine house over ard above
re amount appropriated for that purpose 81 $50 all
which are included In the report uf outstanding
'ders From this II can be that the actual ex.
snse Of running the city has been less than the ap-
rOprldtlons. Taxes some higher in the wear
so than in 1879. The following may be submitted
the principal reason The appropriation. in 1850
II all purposes were s2iS3s, and in 1879 for an uur-
1ses, were slss0O, making difference Of sG,O3s !
ore 20 be spread upon the tax roll for 1850 than in
20, which amount was found necessary for PURPOSES
as follows: To build one new engine | .
,use, one new school house in Second ward also
,352O6 90 pay the Alpcns Water Works COMPANY ?
I ire and other public purposes; Of this amount |
ere 81 S5206 paid for water furnished in 1870
lerefore the finances of our city is in laudable
ndtion.
In conclusion would say that in the foreroin-
We earnestly endeavored to point out the most I'M
rtant features Of city government and If | y
ere be anything in il that will aid our successors in
management and improvement Of our CITY and
government, the result will be very gratifying
anking you for the harmony which has always ex- 4
ed in our deliberations, remain yours, &c
GEO A. BUTTERFIELD. {
On motion OF Alderman Golling the 7
,uncl adjourned.
GEO. A. BUTTERFIELD, q
Mayor. q
r. MCDONALD,
Recorder.