Barbour County index. [volume] (Medicine Lodge, Kan.) 1880-current, 1888-04-11
City Matters.

Last Wednesday evening, after the
INDEX had been printed, the old City
council met and eanvassed the votes
cast at the city election on the I'd inst,
and formally surrendered the city gov
eminent to the new mayor and council,
who at once entered upon the discharge
of their duties.
The new mayor, Mr.. EsmOnd, deliv-
cred an inaugural message, outlining
his ideas Of what should be done by the
council. He favOrs the issuing of $15,-
600 water-works bonds; he favors an
ordinance compelling the planting of
trees by property owners; he favors the
city providing one or more city parks,
and he wants all saloons, dives and
deadfalls closed. His message is full of
suggestions that, if carried out, would
make this a live city. We must confess
that we would have been better pleased
with the message if the new mayor
could have pointed out the way we are
to get all of the necessaries and luxur-
les without imposing on the taxpayers
burdens that they are not now able to
bear.
The mayor appointed and the council
confirmed Geo. w. Ellis as city attor-
ney and H. D. Records as city treasurer.
He also appointed the usual commit
tees, and special committees on trees,
water works, and COUNCIL room.
NhA
Saturday evening. 7th inst.
At that time it met again, all but one
of the members present.
The tree committee reported that
the city attorney was of the opinion
that an ordinance compelling the plant
ing of trees would not be legal and so
the matter was dropped.
The committee on council room re-
ported that Judge McCanless would
allow the council to meet in his Office
without paying any rent. The offer
was accepted.
The official bond of Police Judge Nc
Canless with G. w. Stevens, A. Schmidt
and {. G. TalIaferro as sureties was
approved: THE SANS action Was taken
on the bond OF City Attorney G. w.
Ellis, his sureties being John Higgins
and A. Schmidt.
The bills of the men who repaired the
street crossings for the horse exhibition
were allowed and warEants drawn.
Also the bills of the clerks of the city
election.
The mayor on his own motion, ap-
pointed as committee on city printing
Messrs. Del isle, Hubbard and Morris.
The water ditch question came up.
Mr.. Aber, one of the engineers who
made the survey and estimates, told
briefly of every step that had been taken
in the matter. Letters were read from
a firm in kansas City and ole in Topeka,
both having been asked what they knew
about bitches. They gave no informa-
tion not already in the possession OF
the council, but offered to come down
and look over the ground and give their
opinions. After an informal aud gen.
eral discussion, it was ordered on mo-
ton, that Tweedale 4 McGrath OF
Topeka be- invited 10 come here, the
city to be responsible for the expenses
of one man in coming.
And here the matter will rest for the
present. II it appears, after an exam
nation, that the ditch will be practical
bic, the bonds will be issued and sold.
if there is any doubt about it, the coun-
Gil will be very foolish If they throw
away Sl5.0O0 because the people have
expressed desire for waterworks.
The council adjourned until next
Saturday evening, April 18th.