Alpena weekly argus. [volume] (Alpena, Mich.) 1871-1893, 1883-04-11

.<<s<-.~sss4xas~z<<<<<<sxss sA<<k<<z<<<unennunu
the condition of each fund on the first OF
each month, and economy will follow as q
necessary consequence. | would also sug-
gest to your honorable body that white
pine be used for crosswalks instead ofnor-
way. Coarse white pine will cost but lit
tie more, will last much longer, and, in my
opinion, will save to the city a large sum.
The expense of the Fire Department the
past year, exclusive of the water tax,
seems to be exceedingly high. There has
been purchased for this department the
past year large amount of improved fire
/ apparatus. According TO the report oI
the Chief Engineer the property of the de
| partment inventories $4,000. 80. We GER
tainly have as full and complete a compile
ment OF fire apparatus as any small city
| In the State, During the past year two
new hose carriages were purchased, which
are of the most modern and approved pat
/ tern. We have $500 feet of standard
hose. The harness and patent hangers
now in use by the department are the
model Of perfection and utility. There
will be during the present year no necessi
/ ty for the purchase Of additional appara'
/ tus. With care there can be large re-
duction in the expenditures Of this depart
ment the coming year. The department
during the past year, has been efficient, and
the small amount of loss by fire is conclu
sive evidence of the good work done by
the companies.
urge upon your honorable body to
make your appropriations for the present
year at the lowest amount possible, con
sistent with a proper and economical adj
ministration of the city's interest. | am
convinced that your taxes for this year
can safely be reduced $40 900 below the
amount of YOUR tax roll for last year.
also recommend that you require of your
appointed officers full and complete re
port on the first of each month, and that
you will insist that the City Treasurer
shall be the only custodian of the city's
moneys A system Of monthly reports
will give you check upon all money
handled, and will enable you to enforce an
honest accounting COR all money received
by any officer
| hope the fact VIII be impressed upon
the Street Commissioner that he is not
employed by the city TO dispense charity
but that you will insist OH employing able
bodied men to work on your streets-men
who can do a good honest days work.
also recommend that YOU make the
Comptroller the purchasing agent of the
city with instructions that he make no
purchase for any department of the city
government, involving an amount over
$25 90 without first obtaining the sane.
ton Of the Council. BY this reform you
will stop great drain on the treasury.
The fact will be demonstrated to you in
the regular routine of business that our
present city charter is very imperfect, and
| recommend that further conferences be
held with the city committee TO complete
our new charter that it may be passed be-
fore the present session of our Legislature
closes.
commend to your special attention the
| Police Department Of our city. Hereto
fore we have had from the Chief of Police
but one report per year, his report en-
bracing the amount of moneys collected
by him during the year and nothing more.
a proper record should be kept by the
Chief OF Police Of all arrests made, age,
nativity, occupation, oliense, name of JUS
tice before whom the offender is tried, SEN
tence imposed, etc These reports, made
monthly, will give to your honorable body
a check on the Police Justice, and enable
you to enforce Il Just accounting for all
public moneys. Such system of police
reports has been adopted by all our large
cities, and constitute an important factor
in the apprehension of criminals and the
suppression of crime.
! shall, from time TO time, whenever in
my Judgment it Is required, present to
your honorable body my views on all mu-
ncipal matters in which our citizens and
taxpayers are interested.
In conclusion, gentlemen, you will allow
me to say that have great confidence in
this council and believe that you will
serve the city faithfully and well. For
myself, beg your kind indulgence, and
assure you that shall give to the Office in
which you have placed me my best iudg
ment and business ability. Let us work
together, gentlemen, and give to this city
4 strong government; an economical gov
eminent an administration to which we
can point with pride and merit and re-
ceive from our fellow citizens; "Well done
good and faithful servants"
r. NJ. DoNNELLY,
Mayor.
After the Mayors remarks were
finished, the new Council proceeded
to business, and elected the follow
ing officers:
Marshal-Sylvester Westropc.
City Attorneys l.. Carpenter.
Police Justice-Chas. DAigle.
Engineer-Johnston Hamilton.
Street Commis'r-John +. Hayes.
Health Physician-W. w. Wilson.
Harbor Master-Caspar Alpern.
City Survcyor--Wm, Mirrc.
Bridge Tender-Frank Bone.
Pound Master. +. Denton.
Janitor-David Mathews.
Board Of Health-Geo. II. Shelton,
James Tins, and John d. Shcahy.