The river press. [volume] (Fort Benton, Mont.) 1880-current, 1884-04-16
A New Administration.

The regular monthly meeting of the
couucil was held Saturday evening, all
,,omhers of the old administration be-
ing present.
Tn the absence of President Roosevelt
at the beginning of the met ting, Mr..
Collins was called to the chair.
The reports of police magistrate, trea-
surer and clerk were received and refer
rod to the finance committee.
THE Detition of G.. M. Lanning & Co.
for a permit to build an addition to
their store was referred to the fire COM
mittee.
The officers elect then presented their
certificates, and were duly inducted in
TO office. Mayor Roosevelt, on assum-
ing his position, delivered the following
excellent address:
GeatLen1en of the city Council.
It is time honored custom, / believe,
for the chief executive of city to ad
dress the legislative branch of the city
government on the day Of his Inaugural
fon. | will not, for obvious reasons,
atTempt to make a speech to you, but
knowing and feeling the responsibilities
of my position, it may not be improper
for me at this time to direct your atten-
tion TO some of the duties we have been
elected to perform, and offer such sug-
pestions touching the administration of
the trusts confided to us, as in my hum
bIe opinion the occasion seems to re-
Qulre.
We commence the second year of our
existence as city with debt of about
81. 500 balance due on our fire engine
and fixtures, for the payment of which
YOU will be called upon to provide. The
current expenses for the year will be
about 81 800, and any further expendi-
lures for city purposes must arise from
criminal prosecutions and the care Of
prisoners. In this connection | would
recommend that the police magistrate be
admonished to exercise the utmost vlgl-
lance and economy to the end that here
after this branch of the public service
may become self-sustaining. 1t is to be
hoped that the taxpayers Will think
proper to vote the issue of bonds recon-
mended for the drainage Of the city +; If
not, we must be content to wait until
such time as the necessity may become
apparent to the majority, as but little
more can be done in the matter of drain
age without extraordinary outlay.
The enforcement of the sanitary reg
ulations provided by ordinance is mat
ter of such vital Importance as to re-
quire the utmost vigilance of the city
officials, and if necessary more stringent
measures should be adopted by the coun-
ell. would also direct your attention
to the necessity of providing by ordi-
nance for board of health with power
to make the necessary provisions to
prevent the introduction of contagious
diseases and for quarantine regulations.
These matters should be attended to be-
fore the necessity for them becomes
imminent.
There has been some complaint about
the last city assessment, and Suggest
that the duties of the assessor be defined
by ordinance. I would also recommend
that the city ordinance, after due reyi-
sion, be brought together and published
in pamphlet form for the convenience OF
citizens. And finally, I would recon-
mend that the tax levy for the current
year be reduced to the lowest point con-
sistent with the administration of the
city government. [ confidently look to
you, gentlemen, for your hearty and
cheerful cooperation and kindly for
bearance during my term of office, and
I pledge you my best efforts to the end
that we may all look back upon our ad-
ministration of the affairs of the city
with the proud satisfaction of having
done our whole duty faithfully and
well.
The mayor announced that he would
postpone the appointment of the stand
ing committees until the next meeting.
The bonds of the marshal, city clerk
and police magistrate were approved,
after which the meeting adjourned.