Great Falls tribune. [volume] (Great Falls, Mont.) 1887-1890, 1888-11-24
OUR CITY COUNCIL.
MAYOR GIBSON DELIVERS HIS FIRST
MESSAGE TO THE EALDERMEN.
An Able Document - Practical Surres.
tiOns-The Aldermen Sworn
In - General Pro- "
ceedings.

Last evening will be memorable in tn,
civic annals Of Great Falls. The cit,
council which was elected on the 10th in
slant met and organized. The first thins
done was to administer the customar,
oaths to the mayor and aldermen. This
was done by Ernest Ringwald, the deput,
county clerk, who, very patiently read tc
each one the verbose declaration which
the law prescribes. All the aldermen
were present, the wards being represent
ed as follows:
First-Dr Fairfield and R. r. Hotch-
kiss.
Second-Ch Charles Wegner and D. R.
Mitchell.
Third. G. johnson and j. Matthews.
Fcurth-W. P. Beachley and c. N.
Dickinson.
Judge Huy, the newly elected police
magistrate, was also present
Among the citizens who witnessed the
first meeting, were Messrs. 7. 3. Collins,
Downing, Mcmahon, Harry Ringwald
and several others interested in politics
or business affairs. Col Wheeler of
Helena was also al interested spectator
and approved heartily the sentiments ex-
pressed in Mayor Gibson's inaugural ad-
dress.
When all the aldermen and officials
had been sworn in, Mayor Gibson de-
livered his first message which was YER
batim as follows:
Gentlemen Of the City Council.
We meet here by the will Of our peo-
pie, as body constituting the first city
council of Great Falls. On this spot,
where but a short time since there was
nothing to mark the existence of civilized
man, has sprung up a thrifty town Of not
less than two thousand people. Located
upon an attractive spot at the head of the
cataracts Of the Missouri, and surrounded
by resources unsurpassed by any other
section of our country, it needs no pro-
phet to foretell the greatness which this
city will surely attain, during the lifetime
OF many of our people. 1t is certainly
interesting to watch the development Of
such a place, and to note the growth of
its industrial enterprises. The person
who carefully considers the resources
within and Immediately surrounding
Great Falls, calnatfail to see that its i'm
portance will be derived largely from
the employment of labor in various in
dustries growing out of the existence
in this vicinity of coal, iron and the ores
of gold, silver and copper, and the pre-
ducts Of our grain fields.
Thoaa in6I1ofria. will ho rvroaflu ,,ro
noted, if fortunately the management Of
our city affairs from this time forward,
shall be entrusted to careful honest I
men.
The duties which will devolve upon us
the first city council of Great Falls, are
by no means light and we must resolve
to work and to do our work we'll and
faithfully.
LIGHT TAXATION.
It is especially incumbent upon us to
manage the municipal affairs OF this
town, with as much economy as may be
consistent with good government. While
l recognize the necessity for expenditures
of money for various purposes, yet in the
Iearly history of town the levy of taxes
should be exceedingly light, and the city
Indebtedness should be kept at as small
an amount as the welfare of the people
will permit.
WATER SUPPLY
Our city is to day almost wholly with
out fire protection. To afford our people
proper safeguards against fire, the city
council should make such arrangements
with u private company or with individ-
uals, for the establishment of water
works, as may be considered advisable;
but under no circumstances, should the
franchise be granted beyond a reasonable
period of time, for If there Is anything
that should be owned and controlled ex-
cluslvely by a city it is the water supply
for its people. Should you conclude ne
gotiations with any private company for
asupply Of water for fire purposes it
should be with the express provision or
agreement that the mains be sufficiently
large for full supply Of water, and that
the power be sufficient to afford adequate
fire pressure for a. large number OF
streams working together long time.
In short, such water works should be
constructed with proper regard for
rapid growth of our town and also for ex-
IRENE demands at any hour, for fire pur-
poses
CITY ADORNMENT.
With small annual outlay by our
people, for planting and protecting trees,
Great Falls, from its favored location for
water supply, can be made one OF the
most beautiful cities in any country. In
order that there may be uniformity in
planting trees upon our main avenues
and streets, would recommend you to
Designate where the rows or lines of trees
should be planted in relation to the side
walks and streets. 1t is to be hoped that
people making homes in this new city
Will recognize the Importance not only Of
Planting trees without delay, but also OF
giving them the care and attention they
VIII require.
PUBLIC PARKS.
Ina very short time the subject Of
parks will, trust, receive the earnest at
Isntlon zen of the city government of Great
rails. While suitable lands can be OBJ
tslned at low prices or perhaps be donated
w the city, for parks they should be for
ever dedicated to the epublic. When once
acquired, these parks will be improved
ana ornamented as fast as the wealth of
our city will justify IL. In treeless
country like this, the value of trees and
parks will always be more highly appre-
nlated than in the well-wooded states OF
the east.
STREET GRADES.
Ihe establishment of street grades is g
INA matter that will demand early and care
~ iul attention, as great damage is often
aone d to the property of individuals by