Burlington weekly free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1866-1928, 1893-04-06

,lcssnge-The List of Policemen.
The new Board of Aldermen met Mon
lay for organization, but after taking 800
ballots for prudent, with no choice, ad-
journed until Tuesday evening, when the bat
tic was renewed. The Board consists of five
republicans and five democrats. With the
mayors vote the democrats have n MAORI
ty in the City Council, and most of the city
officials elected belong to the dominant
party.
Tho Board met at $3.50 o'clock with all
the aldermen present as follows c. c Read,
L, Il. Davis, II. w. Hall, II. J. Gutchell
Peter Bitche, J. J. Shea, r. g. Severson,
j. T.. Burke, Clarence Hicks and j. b. Hen
lerson The Board was called to order by
City Clerk Allen, who administered the
oath Of Office TO the five new members. On
motion of Alderman Severson the Board
proceeded to the election of a president
Alderman Richie nominated Mr.. Hepder
con and Alderman Davis nomin ated Mr.
He'll Aldermen Richie aud Gutchell were
appointed tollers and 30 ballots were taken,
most OF the number resulting in five for Mr..
Henderson, four for Mr.. Hall and one scat
terinG, Aldermen Henderson and Hall
were appointed committee to wait upon
the mayor, who appeared and read his
nual message as follows:
MAYOR HAsELloN's MESSAGE.
To tie Honorable the Board Of Aldermen:
Gentlemen-Without aiming at full
review OF existing municipal conditions ana
without attempting to outline a policy, |
will briefly make sore g reference to the pres
snt affairs eff our city and some suggestions
to the future, such ae the occasion in
vites
THE FUNDED DEBT.
The gross bonded debt of the city is
$415, 000 of which sum $50, 900 is the
amount of school bonds Issued about a year
ago The general sinking fund is now
$40, Ais 40, and the school bond sinking
fund, established to meet the requirements
of law, has had carried to its credit the sum
of $l100. The net bonded debt Of the city
stands therefore at 1903, 7S4 OIL Notwith-
standing the issue of school bonds above re-
ferred to, the net bonded debt OF the city is
to-day about $4,000 less than it was on the
first day Of January, 1890, on account OF
the healthy rate at which our present policy
in respect to the sinking fund provides for
The redemption Of our debt.
There are To-day outstanding reservoir
notes to tho amount of $l5 000 whereas on
the frat day Of January, 1890 the amount
VI ohSn bStes hEkicedlcu o., OOO AZ
those notes do not differ from the bonds Of
the city in any essential feature, the true
funded debt of the city is now about $l0,-
900 less than it was at the beginning of the
year 1890, Notwithstanding the issue of
school bonds referred to-
STA per cent bonds to the amount of
$50, 600. 90 will mature on the first day of
July in the present year. Under existing
provisions of law the city council has au-
tho-ity 30 retire these by an issue of renew
al bonds Of like amount ard you will soon
find occasion to consider the mater of such
rsnswa.
TRUST FUNDS.
The trust funds held by the cemetery
commissioners on the account Of Lake View
cemetery yielded In 1892 Il larger income
than in 1891, as did also the like funds held
on the account of Elmwood avenue ceme-
terry. The cemetery commissioners have
discharged their duties carefully and pru-
IDENTITY, and as their terms successfully ex-
pre the Importance of maintaining the high
character Of the board should never be for
gotten.
SEWERS
A committee appointed by the Board of
Aldermen, and the corporation owning the
land at the mouth of the main sewer, have
Aioht5SN tho tetLie Vi q COubrdCI uUu6T
which the prevention of any further nui-
Banoe in that vicinity will be assured and
some valuable privileges incidentally secured
to the city. Tho contract as drawn up diff
fers in one or two particulars from that
which by resolution OF the city council the
mayor was instructed to execute and it.
therefore, seems desira bic that resolution
should be passed authorizing and direc ing
the execution of the specific contract which
the committee appoin ted by the Board are
prepared to recommend. 1t ia earnestly to
he hoped that no obstacle may be interposed
TO the solution Of what has been for some
time a vexatious yet highly important ques-
tion.
WATER.
For some years the people OF Burlington
have had under discussion what may be
called the water question. 1t should be
enough TO say that in the matter of pure
water we should bs above reproach or even
suspicion, and to that end the water depart
ment has been making experiments and
soundiugs and maturing plans looking to q
very considerable extension into the lake OF
the conduit through which water is brought
to our reservoirs Nothing eau be accom-
plished If the friends of improvement are di
vded as to plans and methods, and there is
reason to believe that without much dissen
sion the community will make possible the
realization of the plans above referred to-
provided those plans are sanctioned and rec
ommended by the City Council. Their real.
ization will, however, be burdensome unless
the necessary funds are provided by an issue
OF bonds. In view of the facts herein stated
ms to the rate OF reduction of our debt,
there is no good reason for hestating a
such issue of bonds as will enable
US IN respect to the matter under considera
ton to satisfy the apprehensive among our
citizens and the outside public, and to cor
rect a sentiment which, whether Justly oil
unjustly, operates somewhat to our dstri
ment. Whatever Improvements add to th,
desirability and popularity OF our city as
residence or as resort restore to our tax
payers, many times over, the cost of sucl
improvements.
STREETS.
An important amendment to the city
charter made at the recent session of tn
auis fur mil k.fr .