St. Paul daily globe. [volume] (Saint Paul, Minn.) 1884-1896, 1885-04-15
THE MAYORS MESSAGE.

COuuCIl y0StCIudI, Was louS anu exhaustive.
The following are excerpts, and include all
parts not hitherto published in the annual
reports of city officers, from which the mayor
made his compilations:
Public sentiment must not be trifed
with; the necessities of the times are plainly
manifest and require officials to be just to the
taxpayers and free from the suspicion of wrong.
Let US transact the Blu siness of the city as pru-
dent men do their own, observing wise but not
niggardly economy, and looking to the efficiency
of every department The tendency of the times
is toward extravaganza in public as well IS in
private affairs, but while in private life We have
the legal right to be extravagant, in public life 1t
becomes our duty to economic that we may at
all times be able TO satisfactorily account for
every dollar expended.
No city has naturally more advantages
than our own. II Is developing on every side,
and enjoying prosperity on every hand, and this
Notwithstanding the ''hard times and the gen.
eral distrust which has prevailed in business
channels throughout the country. The area OF
the city is large, including nearly thirty-four
square miles, and its interests diversified, and
while we should act Independently and for the
best interests of the people, we should not lose
sight of the rights or necessities of any class.
To become acquainted with our various depart
ments and their needs-and the needs OF the
public which make the departments necessary
is no easy task, yet it Is our duty SO to do.
Surrounded as l am by men who have been Sc
lected because OF their well-known prudence IN
business affairs, have no fear that the conf
dence reposed in you by the public has been
misplaced, or that having taken the oath of
Office you will forget that while you may indi-
recty represent party you directly represent
the people. Thus far our city has escaped the
corruption that has oyertaken others, so far as
any acts Of the city council are concerned, and
IL orftr dam n1dfh hat
municipal affairs shall continue to be honestly
and inteiligently conducted.
Here followed comprehensive and de-
tailed review Of the finances Of the city, of
the work Of the city engineers department,
and all the various departments of the city.
SIDEWALKS.
It is gratifying to our pedestrians to note
that the mayor says:
I regret that a considerable portion Of our
plank sidewalks are in bad repair, and that fire.
quently the street commissioners wholly fail to
perform the duties required of them in this mat
ter While it is the duty of property owners to
promptly make necessary repairs 1t is the duty
of the street commissioners to see that it is done
and to do it themselves if property owners fail
therein, at the expense OF the latter, but we all
know that this is not often done. To protect
the city as far as possible l have caused notices
to be served on delinquent property owners, in
many instances with good effect, but far too
many defective sidewalks remain and will con-
tinue so to do until the street commissioners
comply with the law or the city council remedy
the difficulty.
LAW AND ORDER.
To this subject the mayor devoted consid-
cradle attention. He considered it the
of the city government, and thought
it should receive the cordial support Of all
good citizens. In regard to police appoint
ments he proposed to act in a purely non
partisan spirit, and should make no re-
moyals without cause and shonld axe no
except with an especial view to
fitness. He thought it true that mistakes
had been made, but his aim was to appoint
good men.
LIQUOR LICENSES.
The message reviewed the Inauguration of
a high liquor license year ago, as well as
the establishment of active patrol limits. He
believed the measures accorded with public
sentiment, and from the light vote
he argued that the opinion had
not materially changed, that our
citizens are satisfied with the present
condition of affairs in this respect. The
mayor referred with manifest pride to his in
augural of 1884, and thought he had kept
promises therein made.
He thought that while the so-called social
evil had not been eradicated it had been kept
under control, and he believed few citizens
have less cause for complaint on this score
than our own. The mayor was of the
opinion that our city is sadly in need of adj
ditional reformatory institutions, and car
nesty urged prompt action 10 the end that
workhouse be erected worthy of the name.
in which may be confined aud if possible re-
form all violators of city ordinances
or persons guilty of petty misde-
meanOrs, and who are now sentenced
to enforced idleness in the
county Jail. The message suggested that in
view Of the recent destruction of the old
court house building that the city take into
the question of joining the
in the erection of such n public
building as will be sufficient to meet the de-
mauds of both, and which will prove con-
yenience and ornament to the city.
Bethany home he esteemed an institution
of great public importance and benefit, and
managed in an economical and admirable
manner, and richly deserving the aid which
the council is authorized to give. During
the year it has reclaimed number of young
girls who had but just started out in an I'M
enviable career, and restored them to fam
lilies and friends.
PUBLIC LIBRARY.
The benefits of public library were dwelt
upon. The message thought that there are
many who cannot attend the public schools,
but who would gladly accept the opportuni-
ties presented by the public library, and he
thought that better men aud women and
hot of h. he mt
RECOMMENDATIONS.
From a number of Recommendations the
following is copied:
While additional patrolman could be readily
used in some parts OF the city, | do not think
any present increase desirable, further than the
additional mounted men authorized by the late
council, and mounted sergeant.
The provision in the general license ordinance
relative TO licenses having less than one year to
run, should be so amendedas 20 require payment
for the whole quarter instead OF month in which
the license is issued.
The express stand immediately around the
city hall causes so mush annoyance TO city
officials and all who have business TO transact
with the city, that the stSEd should be removed
70 High street or some dher more suitable 10
eality.
The licensing Of rollerriuks at any arbitrary
figure, without regard to size, would either
prove hardship to the smaller ones or the re-
verse to the larger, and recommend that the
liceuse be graded according TO roller surface,
rate to be named by yoy for each 1000 square
feet or major fraction thereof
In view OF the opinion expressed by 50 many
physicians who have made the subject = study
that there is great danger OF the introduction OF
cholera at an early dayI recommend that you
omit no steps proper obe taken in the matter,
and tha. Il DC atiendedto at once.
again call the attetion OF the council to the
propriety OF requiring ell railroads running
trains within the city { fast rate OF speed 10
provide proper gates nd hagmcn ~ all street
crossings where the Interests OF the travelling
public require them.
\ CoP&TNERsHIP