The Corvallis gazette. [volume] (Corvallis, Or.) 1862-1899, 1891-06-05

fore exercised by the voters of the
city; upon wise and judicious selec-
ton of these, the principle officers,
very much depends, the peace,
quietude and good name of the city.
This change, appointing these officers
instead of electing them, is an expert
ment, and if it does not work we'll will
no doubt be corrected by an amend
ment of the charter You also have
the power and it is your duty to ap-
point street superintendent, surveyor
and city attorney. The charter fur
ther provides that cat the first regu-
lar meeting of the council in June of
each year, or as soon thereafter as
| by ballot one of it's members to pre-
side over the council and perform the
duties of the mayor in the absence of
the mayor. He shall be designated
the president of the council, and in
the absence of the mayor from the
city, or if he be from any cause unable
| to act, or in the case of vacancy in
the office of mayor, said president
of the council shall have and exercise
the powers and perform all the duties
of mayor" 1t is further made the
duty of the council by section 80,
chapter V of the charter, to provide
for the time of it's regular meetings.
The organization of the fire depart
ment should receive the early and
careful attention of the council, the
city should give to our volunteer fire.
men better support than they have
heretofore. In my judgement it
would be money well expended to
purchase a steamer for our firemen
The loss that might occur and is like
ly to any day or night, would amply
pay for one.
The principal features of the new
charter are those concerning the bond
ing of the city for the purpose Of con-
structing sewers, water works, electric
lights, and the building of wagon
bridge across the Willamette river
within the city limits. All of these
would no doubt be of great benefit to
the city, but as it is not probable that
the city can engage in all of these i'm
'prOvements at present, the question
for you to consider is which one of
these propositions will you place be-
fore the people by your actions. In
dependent of the power to bond the
city for constructing sewers, the coun-
Gil has the right to have constructed
all necessary sewers and drains, and
cause the sum to be assessed on the |
property directly benefited by such
drain or sewer, which, in my opinion,
is all that is necessary for present pur
poses. The erection or construction
of electric light or water works
would not of itself add materially to |
the prosperity of the city at present, |
as we are fairly well supplied by pri-
vate enterprise, which no doubt will
increase their efficiency as the city |
grows and then demands increase.
[ think the city is able and ought to
have at least s or 10 more lights to |
light our streets in place of the pres |
ent system Of incandescent lights. It |
appears to me that the building of a |
free wagon bridge across the VILLAIN |
cite river at this place will be of more |
immediate benefit to the business |
trade and general prosperity of the
city than any of the other improve
ments that have been mentioned. It |
needs no argument to demonstrate |
that such an improvement would be of |
great and lasting benefit.
In conclusion allow me to say that |
I will be happy to join with you in all !
measures tending to promote the pros
perity, Improvement, and well using
of our city, which hope to see keep |
pace with our sister cities in popula- |
tion and wealth.
JOHN BURNETT, Mayor.