The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1886-01-05

to be devoted to street repairs, would have
enabled as TO make and maintain
good streets The present system OF
making property owners pay for building
streets in front Of their lots, and the general
taxpayers at the crossings, is vicious and should
be remedied just why one property owner,
who walks should be required to build streets
for his neighbor to wear out with his carriages
and wagons, Lie q problem | have never been
able to solve. ask the assistance Of you all,
in urging the next General Assembly to pass a
bill giving the Council power TO levy special
vehicle tax, to be used in making and repairing
streets Until such legislation is procured, do
not believe you ought to pass any street improve
ment ordinance unless it shall be first pettioned
for by two-thirds Of the property owners on the
line OF the proposed work. as contemplated by
conferred on you by Section 10 of the charter, to
compel improvements by two thirds vote with
out petition at all. be not exercised under any
circumstances.
The new city building, including heating ap.
paratus, plumbing and sewer connections,
will not, l am informed cost exceeding
$135.000. This will leave considerable sum in
the special fund derived from the $52 saloon tax,
and also three unsold pieces of the Tomlinson
real estate, valued at about $50 000 While you
have the power to turn this additional city hall
fund.- into the general fund, and while the Tom
linson property might be sold and the money ap-
Piled to general city uses, belive a
market-house in keeping with the building now
gong up ana largo enough lot all Iutuf6 needs
should be speedily erected, even though it ex-
haust these two funds now on hand and future
accessions to the liquor tax fund up to the time
OF its completion. As soon as these buildings
are completed, the ordinance imposing the saloon
tax of $52 per annum should be amended, trans.
ferring future collections to the general fund
There is a matter that deserves to receive your
immediate and earnest attention refer to tbs
question Of establishing easier and safer means
of travel between the northern and southern
rrkfO - he s%xv FbA ~osIr <~on Lo nxU
stand as a wall between these two Sec
tons Business is impeded, the value Of
property lessened. thousands of citi-
zens daily discommoded, and human life
on these tracks This condition of things ought
and of very necessity must, in the near future,
be remedied. But while this is true, the city
itself, under the present condition of things, ia
powerless to furnish the relief needed. The city
cannot create another dollar of debt, and with
out additional taxation beyond the limit now al
lowed, il would be worse than folly for US to
attempt without assistance, to construct such
improvements as are needed at the Washington
street and Virginia-avenue crossings or at either
obtained, therefore. if these improvements
are to be made during our term.
This ought to come largely, if not wholly, from
the corporations that render the outlay neces-
sary. With well directed, concerted action on
the part of the city's representatives and inter
ested citizens. believe great material assistance
can be obtained toward the construction of the
Virginia avenue Improvement, at least. With
the recollection OF the terrible accidents that
have occurred at that point fresh in their minds.
certainly think the railroad officials would be
very liberal in their contributions, to prevent if
for no other reason, recurrence ST these casual
ties in the future. recommend that an Appro-
pirate committee De appointed at an early
day, to fully consider the subject
matter here suggested so that no time may be
lost in npovi9inO If nnrsihle nm irpprovounopt
which is needed alike from every consideration
of public policy and ia justice to the people who
live south and east of the Union tracks Until
viaducts are built, the provisions Of the safety
gate ordinances should be rigidly enforced, even
il special policeman has to be employed to see
that the railroad companies do their duty in this
respect.
recommend that the work begun by our pre-
decessors, looking to the strengthening OF our
corporate boundaries be taken up at once. Ow-
ing to the failure of the bill presented to the
last Legislature, simplifying this work, it will
require much time to complete it, and no time
should be lost, as many evils now existing
should be remedied before the assessment of
property on April l.
I recommend the enforcement Of the ordi-
nance providing for the impoundiug of stock
running at large, and to that end suggest that a
pound be at once established whore it can be
successfully maintained.
If the condition of the treasury will at all
permit, would recommend the improvement of
our public parks during the coming season, and
would particularly urge that the committee on
public property give the matter of the city
duty in reference to Garfield Park their imme.
date attention. l am informed that the Penn
sylvania Railroad Company would gladly locate
and construct a nice station and depot at this
park. If it were made place of resort.
The time has come when a streetcar line
should be built to Crown Hill Cemetery, and
hope you will encourage the construction of such
line ia every way possible. This place Of
beauty, and Of sacreduess to many thousands of
our citizens is now accessible to but few;
whereas. the running of street-cars to or near
the east entrance would make it possible for all
classes of our people to visit it.
AS opportunity offers and circumstances sug-
gest / will communicate to you my ideas of the
city's needs, asking Lo further consideration of
the foregoing or future recommendations than
the Importance of the subjects and wisdom of
the suggestions merit.
Gentlemen, / assume my duties "a your pre-
siding officer without previous experience. May
not hope, therefore, to receive your kindly for
bearance and generous aid in the discharge of
those duties2 beg your assistance at all times.
Let us begin our work right and end it right,
never losing sight of the fact that we were sent
here to egislate for and protect the rights of the
city. and not to advance to interests of any per
| son or class at the expense of the people vino
pay the taxes and have right to our best
services.
The mayor then named the following standing
committees for tho ensuing two years. the first
| named person on the committee to constitute the
chairman thereof
On Accounts and Claims-McC lelland. New
land and Swain.
Bridges-Coy, Smith and Stuckmeyer.
Contracts-Reynolds. Dell and Herig.
Education-Smith, Waterman and Benjamin.
Finance-Thalman, Pearson, Rainecke Smith
and Howes.
Judiciary-Rooker, Edenharter and Cum
mings.
Markets-McGroarty. Howes and Smither
Office Fixtures and Srpplies-Newland, Rey-
nolds and Stuckmeyer
Ordinapces-Burns. Rocker and Coy.
Printing-Haugh, Swain and Dunn.
Public Charities-Smither, Dell and Water
man.
Public Observation-Disclosures, McClelland and
Marley.
Public Light-Rooker, Haugh and Smither.
Public Property-Mack, Thalman and Dunn