Alpena weekly argus. [volume] (Alpena, Mich.) 1871-1893, 1884-04-16

vailed, that l dare not depart from
the custom as established by my hon.
ored predecessors. l hope that /
fully realize the importance and re-
sponsibilities of the position, the duties
Of which | am about to assume, and
while we are all here by virtue of
having received greater number of
votes than our respected opponents,
yet in our capacity as officers, we as
truly ought to represent and protect
the interests of those whose prefer
ences were for others on election day,
as those who supported us. In other
words, OH election day we represent
the particular party with which we
may be affiliated after election we
represent the entire constituency.
/ am well aware that while great
deal is expected of the executive, he
can do but comparatively little towards
bringing about such reforms in the
administration as public sentiment and
the interests Of the people generally
demand, unless his efforts are seconded
by his associate officers, and particu-
larly by the gentlemen over whose
deliberations he has to preside. /
entertain no doubt but that every
alderman on this Council is fully de-
termined to legislate for the best in
terests of the city, and / assure you,
gentlemen, that l will spare no time
nor pains to give you all the assis-
lance in my power. We should strive
to make q careful estimate of the
amount of money necessary to meet
our expenditures, and having once
fixed the amount and ordered it spread
upon the assessment roll, we should
start out with a full determination of
not going beyond it, and carry that
determination out.
Through mismanagement, or per-
haps no management at all, the sewer
age system of the city has been a
constant source of expense and trouble,
and fear it is not yet upon anything
like q satisfactory basis. The last
administration, | believe, began re-
form in this direction which ought to
be continued until the sewerage sys-
TEN of our city is on basis that is
both practical and useful.
The street department, it would
seem to me, is more expensive than it
ought to be. AT all events the ex-
penditures in this department are
every year in excess of the appropria-
tons. There must, therefore, be
something wrong about either the
one or the other. 1t is q notorious
fact that much of the work hereto
fore done on the streets is worse than
useless. Doing one year what must
be undone the next is no way to man.
age the affairs of corporation. Let
us aim to make improvements of a
permanent character.
have not yet had much time to
examine very fully into the workings
of the fire and police departments of
our city. So far as my observations
have heretofore extended the fire de-
partment has certainly been very
effective in protecting our property,
and with proper recognition at the
hands of this Council, / have no
doubt but it will continue its good
work.
With respect to the police depart
ment, have simply to say that the
peace and quiet of our city compares
favorably with that of any city of
its size in the State, but, no doubt,
some legislation on your part may be
necessary to make this department
more effective yet.
The business of regulating the sale
of Intoxicating liquors may be men,
toned in this connection. Saloon
keepers ought to be accorded every
right and privilege given to them by
the laws of this State--no more, no
less, and this Council should see to it
that every requirement Of the law is
complied with. Our legislators in
their wisdom, and for reasons that
need no argument, enacted that sa-
looms be closed on certain days and
at certain hours. In justice to all,
this enactment should be enforced to
the very letter, as it would certainly
lesson the expenses of the police de-
partment and the courts. Nine.tenths
Of the crimes committed in our city
can be traced directly to liquor sold
on days and hours prohibited by law.
] do not urge the making war on
saloon keepers, but simply that they
be compelled to obey the law under
which they are operating.
The fire limit ordinance should be
strictly enforced. The prosperity of
the city, as well as justice to those
who have built in compliance with
its requirements, demand this.
But as l have already far exceeded
the limits | at first prescribed for
these desultory remarks, l will now |
close. ] will take the liberty from |
time to time hereafter to make such |
recommendations to this Council as / |
may deem advisable. l sincerely |
trust that our deliberations may be |
harmonious, all working together for |
the common good, and that at the |
end of our term, both friend and foe |
can say with truth: swell done, good
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