Alpena weekly argus. [volume] (Alpena, Mich.) 1871-1893, 1892-04-20

this connection, call your attention to the
danger to travelling at Chisholm street
and Washington avenue railroad cross
ings. Some one Is sure to get killed In
the near future, as many narrow escapes
have already occurred. The railroad
authorities are bound by the law, when
ordered 10y the Commissioner of Rail-
roads, to either put gates or nagmen at
all such crossings. would therefore re-
commend that a resolution be adopted,
requesting the Railroad Commissioner OF
the State to see that these precautions
are taken. would also recommend that
the City Attorney be instructed to inves-
tigate and report to this Council, as to
whether we can compel the railroad COM
pany TO 80 grade and plank each side OF
streets, so that conveyanceS can cross
SIDEWALKS.
Sidewalks are used more by our poor
people and working classes than any other
class OF citizens. Many OF our walks are
now I'm very poor state OF repair, and
the city libable for damages resulting
from defective sidewalks. | would re-
commend that all sidewalks be immedi-
ately repaired and placed In good condi-
walks DO built whenever needed.
CITY FINANCES.
There seems to be difference of opin-
ion among our citizens as TO the condition
OF our city finances, and while | have the
utmost regard for my honored predeces-
sor, and believe that he has given the
city u very successful administration,
and that the Indebtedness, whatever IL
may be, Is not chargeable to him, the
the Common Council as whole Is re-
sponsible for either an adverse or fav0ra-
able condition Of its finances, yet In view
of this fact, and in order that we may
know Just how we do stand financially, /
would recommend that you provide for a
careful examination of our financial
condition, so that any portion OF the in
debtedness that does exist, will not be
chargeable to the present administration.
Such an investigation would also enable
us TO make provisions In our annual es-
Inmates for the payment Of any indebted
ness that is found to exist | would also
recommend that you make provisions in
your estimate for paying off the indebted
ness and calling in the outstanding orders,
so as stop the interest.
One of the greatest evils that exists in
the management OF our city finances, is
the tendency to spend more money in the
various departments than the amount APP
propriated. Thus orders are drawn when
there is no means to pay them. Conse-
quently city orders are thrown upon the
market, and the credit OF the city is very
much impaired. To avoid this growing
evil, would recommend that an account
DO kept with each fund, and that you re-
quirc a statement monthly OF the condi.
ton OF the various funds, so that no
fund will DO overdrawn. In doing 80,
you will soon bring the city orders up to
par, and our finances will maintain q
healthy condition.
i will not take up my time with making
any further recommendations on this
occasion, but will endeavor to call your
attention to much needed improvements
from time to time, as occasion requires.
Allow me to say, in conclusion that !
believe you all to be men Of good judy
ment, and acquainted with the needs OF
your constituents, and / trust that you
will not forget the fact that you are here
as the representatives of any particular
locality or section. You will therefore
act together for the common good. In
all your deliberations, be gentlemanly and
courteous towards one another, and will
find that your several duties will rest
lighter upon your shoulders
i trust that we will, one and ALL con-
duct ourselves officially so as to give 10
tho citizens of Alpena one of the most
successful administrations they have
ever had.