Grand Rapids morning telegram., 1885-04-29

1 Aid EltnSy toOk O<,co1Ao1 llri1a tis te~
remarks. - show some feeling and spose Of
the small recognition of be talents be
thosght he had received at The hands Of the
| Mayer
AID. Yates made most happy speech.
noting the fsyoits hobbies and eoeentrici-
tics Of the various nembers n DE heartily
thanked the Mayor, members of the Council
aud representatives of the psess fof the uni
form courtesy he had always received from
them. he said. and with Fashionable pride,
that during his two years of service he had
occupied his chair at every meeting, both
regular and special, and had met every com
mittee appointment with the exception of
two.
Mayor Belknap war called for and said III
performing his duties as Mayor he had tried
to do right; had endeayofsd 10 be non
partisan, especially in the mafier of choosing
| his committees. lie had sendeavored 10
manage the affairs of the city the same az if
were they his own; CONSIDERED the Office a
high one and the honor of holding il
great He had felt pride in being the Mayor
of such city as Grand Rapids, and empha-
sized the fact of the friendship that had ex-
isted between himself, the city officers and
| the Council. He left the Office with some
reluctance, but knew the change would be
for the city's good-new life and new blood
would be infused into the Office, which would
have an inspiring and beneficial effect lie
| paid the various committees high compli-
ment for the manner in which they have dis
charged their duties.
| City Marshal Greene made short address
and said he wished to inaugurate something
passed a box of fine cigars.
| City Attorney Ransom was called for. He
| spoke highly of his associations with the
Mayor and Council, and of the kindnesses
! shown him by members of the press;
said the counsel he had always
| given was the best counsel he could give;
his opinions were never biased. but we're his
careful interpretations of law and his best
| judgment. lie had endeavored to consult
the city's interests and the interests of the
citizens. He spoke of the benefit of
hobbies" and said by their constant pre-
sentation cities are made; said he had one
hobby himself-the building of market
bridge, that should cross the river and coyer
| the entire space between Lyon and Pearl
| streets.
The Mayor then submitted his written
valedictory, which was accepted and ordered
printed without reading 1t is as follows:
| GENTLEMEN OF THE CoUNCm:--With this
meeting we end our official duties of the
| year. / do not think it necessary TO enter
| into any detailed statement of the past year,
but, refer you to the reports of the various
| officers and boards, which Will be submitted
to you this evening. / call your special at
tention to the present financial condition of
| the city. The proposition for the City Hall
| bonds is clear proof of the good standing
we have, and L would urge upon all future
| Councils the importance of maintaining this
! standing and it can be done by
the prompt collection of the revenues,
| the careful expenditure of the funds
and a determination never TO exceed
\ the estimates, or, IN other words, by living
| within our income. | here would thank your
| efficient Committee of Ways and Means for
the care they have shown in keeping the
| Council informed on all matters connected
with their duties. Their intelligent work is
| worthy of careful consideration. Although
| the past year has been one of great business
1 depression and many people have been with
out work, our city has steadily increased IN
every way, and now, with every indication of
| better trade throughout the country, we
| may look forward to a season of great pros
| perity. The past year has brought forward
many very perplexing subjects, matters that
| have called for a great deal of thought
| and study, and IN my duties as
| your Mayor / may have made
some mistakes. My desire has been prompt
| collection of the revenue, fearless enforce
ment of the laws of the State and city, pro-
lection in every way 10 the people and their
| business interests, determination that we
| shall be governed for the good of the people
as body and not for any act, creed or po-
litical party. and how well this has been
| done leave for you TO say. The idea that
! the Common Council is responsible to
| great extent for the lawlessness and crime
| and for the sufferings that we see at times in
our city has somehow got into the heads of
| many of our citizens, and to remove this
idea / would suggest to the
| new Council that they carefully consider the
| applications for saloon licenses; that men
| who keep their places in compliance with
| the law shall not be classed with those who,
under the cloak of saloon business. run a
school of crime and destroy the value of all
| property, both residence and business, as
| well "a the peace of the citizens. They will
also help to remove the belief by giving
| sistance to the police and courts by sustain
| ing them in their work. | consider IT unfair
for any one department of the city govern
ment TO impose its duties upon another, but
we do believe that the very best of good
government can be had by each and every
department doing its duty fearlessly. The
harmony with which the different boards
and the Council has worked this past year
has given me great satisfaction and earnest
ly hope the said feeling will prevail for the
year 10 come. The kind assistance have
received from every officer and from every
department and board the courtesies and
good will of all the people has placed me
under lasting obligations. This may be my
last official connection with the city govern =
ment. but | will never forget that / am a
citizen. and a. such shall ever strive for its
| success
Very respectfully.
CHARLES T.. BEIKSAP.