River Falls journal. [volume] (River Falls, Pierce County, Wis.) 1872-2019, 1886-03-11


tinent suggestions for the future in
the following remarks:
Gentlemen of the Board of TrBde:-
This being the first meeting of the new
year it may not be Inappropriate to re-
view very briefly some of the doings
of the Board in the past year, espec-
tally as to very many it may seem as If
nothing had been done, because they
do not feel any personal effect. 1t
cannot be expected that great things
are to be accomplished in a short time
nor that our city will become me-
tropolis at once because a few of its
citizens with an honest desire to ad.
vance its interests have banded to-
gether for common effort to aid in
its development.
Yet, as | look back / think / can see
much accomplished. First, we find
ourselves now organized into city.
That this is the direct result of our
Board cannot be doubted. That by
reason of the advantages presented by
having an organization to whom ques-
tions of public policy could be submit
ted we have a better charter than
would have been obtained without
such an organization is equally demon
strable. The question as to the value
of our city government is in many
minds undecided, but the fact is that
our taxes are less than in that part of
our school district yet in the town;
that questions of policy for our own
self-government have been dealt with
more easily and with better results
than could have been achieved under
the former system; that our taxes for
city purposes have been only about
one-half of the amount usually raised
for town and road district purposes,
while all of our expenses for official
salaries except those incurred in the
street commissioner work have been
met by the amount which we have re-
ceived from licenses in excess of what
would have come to us from that
source under the town system. We
have been able to purchase small
amount of fire apparatus and organize
an efficient company which at a single
fire saved ten times all expense incurr-
ed in the purchase of the apparatus, or
enough to pay all city expenses for
several years; the fact that large
part of the saved property was unin-
sured adds strength to the argument.
Lest L be misunderstood on account
of the large taxes paid this year add
that these taxes were not the result o f
our city organization, but the fact that
all outside taxes, such as state and
county taxes, have been greatly in
creased in this county, while our
school district tax was increased, in
Guiding payment of loan nearly or
quite one-half.
Now we can go farther and be in
still better situation for self-protec-
tion.
We can during the coming year
inaugurate, if we desire it. better
system of street and lot improvements.
| desire to suggest that a public
meeting be held at no distant day at
which ladies as well as men shall be
present and to discuss methods of i'm
provement of Individual property so
as to inaugurate systematic method
of tree planting, sidewalk work and
sanitary precautions.
With these things in view | hope
that the various committees will
direct their attention earnestly to all |
that may tend to improve our city in
every point of view. We have great !
possibilities; let us make them more
than probable and develop some at
least into actual life.
Bill of A. 2. Weld for $I5.25 for
copies of the st. Paul Pioneer Press
containing article on the city of
River Falls was presented and ON
motion allowed in full.
The President stated that the copies |
of the Pioneer Press so purchased
were at the disposal of the Board.
A report was presented to the effect |
that parties from abroad contemplated |
establishing brick-yard in this city.
The following resolution was pre-
santa1 anH ~, ,nofio, oI0nEaI.
ReSoired, That the Board of Trade |
recommends that a vote at the an
nual election in April be taken upon |
the question of authorizing the city |
council to procure apparatus for |
extinguishing fires, and upon the |
question of raising a sum not to |
exceed $500 for such purpose.
The Secretary was instructed to |
prepare-a resolution for carrying out |
the design of the above resolution and |
present the same to this Board at the |
lext regular meeting for its approval. |
The name of f. Burnett was pro-
posed for membership and referred to |
the proper committee, upon the |
favorable report of which he was
voted for and declared duly elected.
A resolution was presented for the
amendment of Article III of the By |
Laws by inserting the word zen" in
place of the word "fifteen," so that 1
said Bylaw when amended shall read |
as follows:
"Ten members of the association
shall constitute quorem for the |
transaction of business; but a less
number may meet and adjourn
The resolution under the rules lies
over till the next meeting of the
Board.
Adjourned.
@. r. MORSE, Sec'y.
In discussing the municipal election
5000 to be held in that city the Hud- 4