Jamestown weekly alert. [volume] (Jamestown, Stutsman County, D.T. [N.D.]) 1882-1925, 1890-01-16
Discussing City Matters.

A good attendance of citizens was
seen at the special meeting of the city
| council last night, called to consider ways
and means for meeting expenses of the
city during the coming year. The council
has taken hold of the work in a most
commendable way, and evidently has de-
voted much time and public spirited
| consideration to the difficulties which
beset u.s.
Nothing was said or done regarding
saloon revenues for the next six months.
1t had been understood that the saloon
men would agree to pay a certain amount
each month, If they could be guaranteed
freedom from arrest until July 1st.
Whether this proposition remains in the
same status or not, was not brought out.
With the best that can he done there
will be deficiency of nearly $1,000 this
year. The salaries of the clerk and at
torney were recommended by tie COM
mittee to be cut to 500 each and the
city treasurer's duties merged with those
of the county. Citizens were requested
to repair their own sidewalks and if not
done it was recommended that the repairs
be made and the cost of doing SO assessed
against the property benefited. The con
mites report favored the employment #
one watchman, whose salary should be
contingent on fines and fees. An itemiz-
ed estimate of expenses was gwen at
which every thing was cut to the lowest
figures.
The limit of bonded Indebtedness
has not yet been reached by $4,000, but
city Attorney Baldwin showed the
danger of approaching the limit.
The proposition to bond, even
for 5000, was not generally
approved. There is a possibility of rails
ing some revenue from city lots sold for
delinquent taxes. but this will require the
cooperation of the county commissioners
and some prompt legislation. If deeds
could be given for these lots. it was sug-
gested that many might be bought by
people for speculation, but the rapidly
accruing penalties for non payne ut of
taxes makes the amount due on such
property too great as a rule, for investors
to touch. The suggestion of the com
mittee that each business house be asked
to contribute S. to $50 created the most
discussion. Several citizens took part
in this.
W. T.. Greene thought that sma
license might be collected but no such
sum as $50. This latter amount was
stated as a reasonable one for banks.
Judge Stcinbach suggested that the
electric light bill be cut down, and
right to use water in each private resi-
dence be granted for small sum, for
instance $40 per year. This. he thought,
would create some revenue not now
obtained. City Clerk Blewett stated that
about $500 the past year had been col
lected for water privileges. D. E. Hughes
favored licensing billiard tables, and
opposed the high assessment of business
men: He also thought that the receipts
had been under estimated. Nj. E. Park
er wanted travelling men taking orders
from samples made to pay license, but it
was stated that that plan was of no avail.
as the law was unconstitutional and had
been so held by the United States sup
RENE court Peddlers and hucksters,.
mostly shirt men, had paid into the.
treasury the past year about S3o for sell
ing 10 Individuals not merchants. Re-
marks were made by J. r. Winslow,
Clinton Wade and others. All the sug-
gestions were il line with the new and
order of things entailed upon
us by the prohibition law, and the way
in which councilmen and citizens alike
are interesting themselves, shows strong
ly for the confidence they have in the
future of the city.
The sudden departure of alderman
Clark, leaving the council with out
quorum. was the means Of bringing the
meeting to close
Saturday night there viii be another
meeting of the same kind.