The Wichita daily eagle. [volume] (Wichita, Kan.) 1890-1906, 1890-04-15
NEW HANDS AT THE WHEEL
THE COUNCIL ORGANIZED FOR BUSI-
NESS, AND START OFF WITH
THE STEP.
Annual Reports From the Various De
Acknowledgment Of Com
nnittees--Business Of Impor-
lance Transacted.

and many were on hand to witness the
occasion usually accompanied by certain
peculiar features. 1t was different occa-
sion, however. The old had let go some
days ago and none of them were around.
The men had no trouble in getting hold.
They simply went to work The annual
reports of tbs city officers were submitted
and ordered printed IN pamphlet form.
The reports as a rule were rather extensive
and covering the departments thoroughly.
Only that of the mayor is given in full and
synopsis OF the Others. Committees for
ensuing year appointed and considerable
routine business given attention.
THE PROCEEDINGS.
Members present Caswen, Carson, Buck
ridge, Schnitzler, johnson, Brown, Glaze,
Mckee, Williams, with Mayor Clement
presiding. Before the minutes had been
read Martin, Coffin and Mosbacher arrived.
1t was announced that all the new coun-
cilmen had taken the oath, when the
mayor said he had bis annual report and it
would be submitted with some others and
probably al would be printed together in
pamphlet form. He said it would be
read should the council wish to hear it.
Mr. johnson moved it be read, when the
mayor read as follows:
To the Honorable Council Of the city Of Wichita
Gentlemen:
in closing the first year Of our official
labors, it is proper that | should present
a review Of the past and also make some
suggestions for your consideration for the
work OF the new year upon which we now
enter
For the first time in the history Of the
city, the mayor, leaving his own business,
has devoted his entire time to the service
of the city, keeping an Office where he
could be found by the people during the
forenoon, and devoting the afternoon to
looking after city affairs outside the office.
The business of the city has reached such
magnitude and is of such Importance,
that no man can properly serve the city as
chief executive without deYOting his entire
time to the duties of the Office, and for
such service he should be properly compen-
stated, as should also the cOuncilmen, who
share the responsibilities and bear the bur
denS with him. It is matter Of cOngrat-
ulatiOn that while there has been a gen
eraI depression in business over the coun-
try the past year, our own city has not
only not suffered any reverses, but has
gone forward with a firm step in perma-
neut and prosperous growth. The strength
of a government IS not in its armies and
navies, but in its credit. This maxim ap-
plies to cities, and with this strength all
great cities are builded. The high standingOf
the credit Of this city has been demonstrated
in the sale Of its bonds when at public
bidding quarter of million dollars Of
SIX per cent, ten year lnstallment sewer
bonds brought premium of nearly $4,000:
and blocks OF paving bonds and the city
hail bonds have met with equally or sat
isfactory sale.
The interest on the sewer bonds had
been fixed by the previous administration
at seven per cent. 1t was almost the first
act Of the present administration to cut
that interest down to six per cent, saving
the tax PAYERS some $4,000. The state
ment of bonds and Indebtedness will be
found in the report OF the city clerk and
the general financial statement Of the
treasurer.
PUBLIC IMPROVEMENTS.
1t has been the policy of this admins
tTatiOn. acting upon the principle that IN
times Of depression public money should
be expended so that labor could be en-
plOyed to inaugurate and carry Onasystem
of public improvements that would be OF
value to the city and add to its
beauty and to the comfort OF its people.
This policy and an estimate OF its value
was so clearly and pertinently expressed
in the editorial columns Of the lchlta
Daily EAGLE of March Is, 1890, that | here
insert the article as the conclusions have
more weight than if in my own language.
In all cities of any Importance, the show
ing made each year in pupbiic improve
ments has more weight probably than
that of any other display, from the fact
that it gives an insight 10 the progressive
ness of the people and municipal author
tiles 1t is doubtful whether there is a
city in the west that ranks with Wichita
either in magnitude or character OF pubHc
or amount OF money eX-
pended in that direction. During the past
year the city has made an immense stride
forward in the way OF public improve
ments. In extending and completing our
system, in paving of streets, in
public buildings few cities anywhere
certainly none in the west has kept pace
with the Darling of Destiny. Old fogy
ideas have been abandoned and mode of
work has been inaugurated which has in
one year accomplished great things.
While some surrounding cities expert
enccd q slight depression III 1889, Wichita
by inauguIatilg a liberal system Of public
gave employment to the
hundreds OF workingmen VINO were at
tracted here from all sections OF the
country.
STREETS.
The past wear has been Cue of moisture,
which has demonstrated the necessity of
having the central business portion Of the
city where the traffic has become so heavy
and constant that the natural roadway
soon become badly cut up, impeding the
business of the CITY. When the system OF
having now begun is extended over the
business Of the city II viii be placed IN the
front rank of the cities of the west. The
streets i'm the residence portions of the
city are naturally so good that for the pres
emf they do not need paving. For this
= 20, n anHpro no
paving of Waco avenue. nor We advise for
he present the paving of any more streets
for more than two blocks north or more
han one block south OF Douglas avenue
with the streets that intersect them, nor
even these without the demand OF property
owners For an account of the street
work Of the past year you are referred TO
the commissioners report
SIDEWALKS.
4 large number Of stone and cement
sidewalk has been laid in the business part
Of the city and a Still greater amount out
side. much more we believe than should
have been built by the city. The city is
always loser in building walk 70 charge to
the property and wait for collections by
tax.
STREET LIGHTING.
There are thirty TWO electric lights Civ
inE a midnight service and htJy-eIght Civ
ing an all nj ghJ service. There are l+5 -iS
and 49, vapor lights, costing the city. IN
round numbers. S20,0 This seems like
an expensive luxury. but the fact that our
people extend their residences 80 far from
the center Of the city makes lighting in
the residence streets an expensive matter.
The placing Of new lights shonld be care
fully looked after by the counCilmen OF the
wards and none located that can
possibly be dispensed with.
WATERWOEkS.
While our waterwOrks system Is the
property OF private corporation, it Is
esneciallv gratifying To know that The