Dodge City times., 1891-05-29
A Reform Administration.

The Mayor submitted q communities
ton to the council, at the last meeting,
giving information on the state of city
affairs and making wise suggestions and
wholesome recommendations for the fur.
ther guidance of city officials. The com
munication was on motion of Mr.. Fitz-
gerald, received and placed on file fol
future consideration. Following is the
document:
In order to conform with the statutes
of our state, which require the mayor to
communicate from time to time to the
city council such information and recon-
mend measures which in his opinion
may tend to the improvement of the city
affairs, and promote the welfare of the
citizens.
Il beg. herewith, TO submit, for your
consideration as follows:
Compliant is often made that young
men and boys. under age, are in the
habit of congregating In public halls and
unoccupled houses for the purpose of
gambling; that they are frequently bois-
ferrous and disorderly in their conduct on
on the streets, especially after dark, and
that they have habit of jumping and
hanging on to cars and trains while in
motion through the city limits. Vacant
houses in the city limits are frequently
much damaged by boys using them as q
resort for playing, breaking windows,
unfastening doors and otherwise running
them.
Little attention has been paid to the
ordinances providing against the running
at large of animals, such as cattle,
horses, and swine, within the city limits.
Il will also reccomend TO prohibit by
ordinance, the keeping and feeding of
hogs within the city limits.
Il also find that many yards and alleys
are in a filthy condition, AMI if tolerated
may breed pestilence during the hot sea
son.
Il also find that our occupation tax
has not been collected for the last year,
with but very few exceptions, nor has
the dog tax been collected, and the city
is over runby worthless ours.
Il will recommend the passage of an
ordinance, providing regular stand for
drays and draymcn, to prevent them
from hitching their teams IN front of
business houses for any longer time than
to load or unload.
Il also recommend that all places of
business, except exclusive hotels and
restaurants, close at 1890 q. m. and re-
main closed until 6 a. m, also all places
of business be closed on Sundays, except
exclusive hotels, restaurants, cigar stores,
drug stores, and barber shops
Il will also recommend to stop all un
necessary street work, except such as is
worked by poll tax. also that the street
commissioner or marshal shall report
each meeting 10 the council. the names
of all who have worked their poll tax or
if cash is collected in lieu of work, the
amount SO collected, stating by whom
paid; the marshal or street commissioner
10 keep separate account OF the same,
also that the marshal or street commits
sioner shall have the hiring of men OF
substitutes to do the work for those that
pay the cash, and if necessary to hire
team for city work, to hire such teams
among needy taxpayers. by the hour, at
prices fixed by ordinance.
Il will also recommend . reduction OF
salaries for marshal and assistant and
city attorney. and for team hire on city
work. team to be hired by the hour, as
we are paying higher salaries than any
city Of this size in the state. Even the
city of Hutchinson which has IN actual
population Of eight or nine thousand.
The following is scale Of prices paid BY
the city Of Hutchinson:
"Harshal, $50 per month; assistant
manhal, IS per month; city attorney