, 1888-01-07
FIXING THE SALARIES.
Reimbursement Ordinance Passed
BY the City Council.
Water Rent List Again Placed in
the Hands of the Marshal.
Radical Changes Prospective in
Regard to Water Rents.

Six aldermen attended an adjourned
meeting of the city council last evening.
1t was a sociable gathering, few specta-
tors being present, no petitions for rebate
being presented, and complaints concern
ing the condition of sidewalks were con-
spicuous by their non-appearance.
City Engineer Miller submitted an esti-
mate for the sinking of a well to the
depth of 1000 feet, The figures are
published elsewhere in this issue.
Mayor Riner presented his bill for sal
airy. The amount was $3.50 for service
during the preceding six months. The
finance committee recommended the al
lowance of the account, and a warrant
will be drawn for the same.
The salary ordinance evoked considera-
Bile discussion. This is the season when
the average alderman desires to pose as
an economist. He declares that sweeping
reductions should be made in salaries.
After the matter is carefully ~canvassed it
is invariably discovered that the officials
are not being extravagantly reimbursed
for services rendered. and cuts are seldom
made.
One quite important change in the ad-
ministration of municipal affairs was made
last evening. Hereafter the city marshal
will collect all water rents, licenses and
other revenue arising from the water
system. He shall also perform all the
duties imposed upon the officer at present
collecting the income from water. This
change is made upon the recommendation
of the mayor. and was approved by the
council without a dissenting vote. The
city treasurer and tax collector at present
performs this duty in connection with his
other work, This arrangement entailed
too many duties upon the treasurer, hence
the change. The present system has been
in force about eleven months, and it is
evident that the original transfer of this
task from marshal to tax collector was i'll
advised.
For the ensuing year the salaries and
fees of city employees were fixed as follows:
Mayor, $500.
Councilmen, $50 each.
City treasurer and collector, $500, and
a commission Of per cent. upon all taxes
collected by him as such collector.
City marshal, 1880, and such police
court fees and fees for the impounding or
killing of dogs as are now provided by Or
dinance, and a commission of 3 per cent.
upon all water rents and licenses collected
by him.
City attorney, $3.50.
City clerk, for his services as clerk,
5 1000, aud for his services as assessor,
$3.50; the latter to be paid when the tax
list is completed.
Civil engineer, $1,000.
Policemen, 5000 each and such police
court fees and fees for impounding OF
killing dogs as are now provided by ordi-
nance.
Chief Of fire department, $3.50.
Superintendent of bitches, $75 per
month for the time he may be actually em
ployed.
City sexton, $500.
Engineer at the pump house, 81, O2O.
All salaries are payable monthly upon
the presentation of verified claims.
No changes in the compensation of Of
ficers were made except those incidental
to the transfer of the water license collec.
torship.
A motion to reduce the salary OF sexton
from $500 to $500 per annum was with.
drawn after a brief but spirited dis
cussion.
1t is highly probable that at the next
meeting of the council radical changes
will be made in water rent rates. The
figures now used are exorbitant in some
cases, but much less than they should be
in many others. There is to be a thor
ough and careful investigation in this
matter, as it is conceded that the city does
not derive the revenue which it should
from the water system.