St. Paul daily globe. [volume] (Saint Paul, Minn.) 1884-1896, 1885-06-06


midst and staring us in the face, we must
treat it as practical question, and deal
with it like other evils, incident to large
cities, by police and sanitary control.
In my opinion, based upon the expert
ence of older civilizations. there should be
certain prescribed limits, least in contact
with the residences of citizens, to which it
should be confined, and be subject to strict
police and medical surveillance.
Every citizen has the right, and some
may consider it duty, to invoke the laws
of the state and cause to be indicted
and prosecuted TO conviction ana
punishment all offenders in this
regard. In every aspect the subject is sur
rounded with much distaSte and perpleXity,
yet | prefer to give my views openly and
candidly rather than have any misconcep-
ton respecting the least Objectionable
course that should be taken with respect to
its treatment.
We have population composed OF many
nationalitieS and some distinct races. Their
habits, customs, language and modes OF
thought are equally varied. With large
majority this is the city of their adoption
and permanent abode. The process OF
absorption and assimilation to American
methods and institutions cannot be accom-
plished in day or year, but will come
most likely within the next generation, and
all eventually will be thoroughly Ameri-
eanized l doubt not that all
our citizens bear in mind these
facts, and are disposed to consider them
graciously and to give encouragement to the
idea, as all are alike interested III the
general welfare, that when practicable and
proper each nationality and race should be
represented and called upon to take re-
sponsibility in officially administering the
affairs OF the city.
There is another subject important to the
executive authorities, who are nothing more
nor less than the peoples servants, charged
with executing the trusts imposed upon
them by the peoples laws, and that is, that
when a citizen is cOgniZant of violation OF
an ordinance it is his duty as good
citizen to make complaint Ill legal
form to the proper oiflcer,
point out the offender and thus aid i'll Sc
curing correction or punishment and tile
vindication of the law. This will beneht
society and bring about better understand
ing between the authorities and the persons
aggrieved. 1t has been too often the case
that welI-meaning citizens have been dere-
lict in this respect and having knowledge
of offenSeS would not make them known to
the authorities who were at the time, OF
course, ignorant of them. and
then denOunce the violation and
arraign the officers through the
newspapers, or private or public circles for
neglect Of duty. Every self-respecting cltl-
zen must know that he too owes a duty to the
society of which he is member which has
not been discharged if he is aware of specific
offenseS and has failed to aid with his
lr,,.a nj flna
ties in bringing the offenders
to justice, and that it is he. and
not the officers of the law, upon whom the
blame should justly rest.
Among other things our charter requires
that 1.-The Mayor shall take care that
the laws of the state and the ordinances of
the city are duly observed and enforced,
and that all other executive officers dis
charge their respective duties and fur
ther, that certain boards and officers shall
at stated times make reports to the Mayor
and Common Council of all the operations,
transactions, receipts, disbursements and
accounts of such respective boards, officers,
etc. 1t is needless to say that these latter
requirements are eminently wise, and that
any board or officer failing in the proper
discharge of duty therein should and will
be held to the stricteSt accountability I'M
der the law, as it is supreme right OF the
public to demand frequent, full and explic-
it reports of the doings of its own officers
l believe that the city is free from
crime and that nothing worse than the
usual number of petty offenses exists.
am DESTROYS of cooperating with you in
all measures coming before you tending to
promote the public good. 1 shall also take
occasion from time to time to make such
special recommendations and give such in
formation for your consideration
as my duty may seem to require.
In conclusion, express the hOpe-which
good government implies-that general and
special taxation may be lessened; that
proper encouragement be given to COM
merce and its many related Industries; that
life and property may be fully protected;
that vice and disorder, and thereby misery,
may be repressed; and that all the mani
fold and superior benefits with which our
cosmopolitan and metropolitan city is now
so firmly endowed may be continued with
out interruption.
am now ready to take the oath of office.
EDMUND RICE, Mayor.
Referred to Committee of Ways and
Means.
Upon the conclusion of the reading of the
foregoing message, MayOr-elect Rice took
the proper oath of Office before Mayor
O'Brien.
On motion of Aid. Starkey, the Council
took a recess for fifteen minutes.
At o'clock p. NJ, recess having expired,
the Council was called to order by Chair
man johnson, and upon the roll being
called. the following answered thereto, viz:
Yeas-Ald. Cummings, Simpson, O'COnnor,
CnI GaDhnrr Johnson
Van Slyke, Kahn, Starkey, BryaD& Minea,
Long, Mr.. Chairman-15. n
A quorum being present the Chairman
stated the first business in order would be
the election of permanent officers of tho
Council and other officers, and that nonina-
lions for President of the Council were in
order.
Aid. Starkey nominated Aid. r. A. Smith.
Aid. Sanborn moved that the Clerk be in
structed to cast the ballot of the Council for
Aid. r. A. Smith for President of the
Council for the ensuing term.
The motion prevailed unanimously. The
Clerk cast the ballot as instructed, where
upon Aid. r. A. Smith was declared duly
elected President of the Council for the ell
suing year, and was called to the chair.
Upon taking the chair Aid. Smith thanked
the Council for the honor conferred, etc.
Election of Vice President
Aid. Van Slyke nominated Aid. Gates A.
johnson for Vice President.
Aid. Sanborn moved that the Clerk be
instructed to cast the ballot of the Council
for Aid. johnson for Vice President of the
Council.
The motion prevailed unanimously, the
Clerk cast the ballot as instructed, where
upon Aid. Gates A. johnson was declared
duly elected Vice President of the Council
for the ensuing term.
Aid. johnson thanked the Council for the
| honor, etc.