The Helena independent. [volume] (Helena, Mont.) 1875-1943, 1891-04-15

appointesa should not occupy oiftce. should
o head Of department prove not 10 be IN no
cord with the mayor. Ate subordinate
should be promptly rsma ,S;s =, I ne s msyor
tion OF the laws only when his prerogA.
tivss are not usurped by other branches Of
the governments. This disaRreeAble duty
performed, ! turn with pleasure TO the
bright and sunny sides OF our ca
that. as have heretofore stated,
many men Of widc financial experience ro-
fused to shoulder the burden OF guiding the
city through its financial straits. a float
ing debt of IN round numbers $4,000, a
tablished streets In a %deplorabls condition,
with miles of now highways to be graded
and opened and many new and necessary
demands created by the rapid and progress
sive growth of the city; q treasury void OF
funds except az obtained BY unlawful
methods demanding usurious discounts and
interest was, my dear sirs, the conditions
surrounding us upon our advent into power.
That extravaganza in the expenditure OF
money existed to some extent was due in n
large measure to our system OF public i'm
provements. entailing upon the general fund
q burden that should be borne by the prop
erty benefited,
The legacy OF $02, 900 left US by tho pre-
cedIng administration could not be equita-
bly, l~iquidated by an additional tax in one
year and, as it was presumably the result
OF permanent improvements, the benefits
from which would extend over many years,
| recommended that the debt be funded
into long time bonds bearing a low ratio of
interest, which has been authorized in an act
of the legislature, and the bonds will soon
issue relieving the incoming administra-
ton of q heavy burden. Ny no norable and
highly gifted successor opposed, l believe,
the funding of the debt.
The work of the departments herein
mentioned are with but n exception q
pleasure and credit to the administration
and the city. For the details of each ! re-
fer you to the splendid reports hereto
Every spring and early summer the mi
gratory Migrants begin their annual tour.
Helena being populous, healthy and rich is
a strong magnet whose attractive powers
are irresistible. During April, MAY. and
early June of 1890 this element called for
vigorous and we'll directed measures for its
suppression and removal. The police de-
partment acted with commendable zeal
and ability n eradicated the evil. /
ascribe this success to the fact that ], as far
as Yves consistent with efficiency, retained
the old members of tho force irrespective
of political affiliations and, 40 long as con-
troll of that department remained with the
mayor it was a model worthy of imitation.
Police officers should be chosen solely for
their ability as enfotcers of the law and not
for political considerations.
The street department. has without e1-
ception been a success. Commissioner
Brady. working under the disadvantage of
a depleted street fund, has created wonders,
building during 1890 many miles of street
grade. making of Main street n handsome
driveway that has, however, been destroyed
by the many public and private excavations
necessary in our growing city. Sidewalks
and crossings have been constructed Upon
everv side, and Notwithstanding the cry of
extravaganza, the portions of the city re-
celvinQ these improvements have been fully
benefited. Here, however, is where our
system of street improvement is at fault.
No improvement should be lone unless
paid for by those benefited.
The city was we'll served during the past
year by the garbage contractor. Mr.. Larry
Hughes; streets, yards and alleys being
kept clean and in a creditable condition.
In this connection l would recommend to
the incoming administration the construc-
ton of a crematory for the consumption
and removal of garbage, the old system be-
ing unworthy of a progressive and growing
city.
MILK AND FUEL INSPECTOR.
This office has proven what its projectors
being served to the inhabitants of the city.
This has been stopped. Meats unfit for hu-
man food have been vended which is not
now the case. Short measurement and
weighing of fuel has been to a large extent,
mitigated. This Office should have been
since the organization of the city, a part of
its administrative machinery. Mr.. L. D.
Beary has shown signal ability in organ
izing the office and executing the law.
INSPECTOR OF
This is an office that was an absolute me-
cessity because of the rapid growth of the
city. Through the energy of Inspector Nc
Nally, grave and dangerous defects in the
orn frrrr trov nc n~~n ~r,a~ L1--1r- ~~l
residences have been corrected. Fire e.
capes have been placed upon all large build
inRs. and danger from faulty construction
has been minimiZed.
ENGINEERING DEPARTMENT.
The city is to be congratulated in having
at the head of this important office its oc-
cupant, MIR. Geo. X. Reeder. Chosen for his
ability and with a full knowledge of his OPP
posite political faith, he has executed the
trust reposed in him.
FIRE DEPARTMENT.
Our fire department would be a credit to
any city. Since the advent in the office of
fire marshal of Col. John Worth, the eff
cheney of that department has been very
decidedly increased. With the hose dis
tributed over the city, each furnished with
the latest and most approved apparatus for
the e1tinguishment Of fires, and under the
fire discipline now existing there, the risk
of fire has been diminished, insurance
rates have been reduced, and a better feel
ing of security is entertained.
WATER SUPPLY.
During the last year a large main has
been laid from len Mile creek to the reser-
voir on the west side, giving the city a
splendid gravity system, sufficient for a
city of 5000 inhabitants, which can be in
creased by additional reservoirs at the
source of supply. Our fire department is
now under no necessity of using its en-
glnes, the pressure being sufficient to force
water over the highest buildings in the
city.
| have. too, some regrets in leaving the
office of mayor-I regret that each and
every act was not perfect-that / could not
please each and every citizen that sought
recoenition-that the council did not see
fit to concur in my views in many things.
and rs for hopes, l hope that none of us
will entertain unpleasant feelings that may
have been engendered during the somewhat
stormy and eventful year of 1890. Let US
all wish for the new administration as
much success and more, than any in the
past.
NOW MAYOR KLEINSCH MIDT.