The weekly tribune., 1893-05-05
vered the following valedictory ad

To the honorable. the CITY council or the
city of Great Falls: Gentlemen:
In retiring from the office of mayor
desire to thank you for the uniform
courtesy which you have shown towards
me, and for the conscientious discharge
of your duties according to your best
ability, as servants of the people. |
have no apologies to make for you or for
| myself Mistakes we have undoubtedly
made. But not until the dawn of
millenial days, when newspapers instead
of officers elected by the people admin
lister the worlds affairs, can we look for
infallibility in government.
The efficiency of the city council
would be greatly enhanced it the voters
of the several wards would see that they
always have their full representation,
During the past year one alderman from
the second ward and one from the
| fourth were absent from their post OF
duty, the former for the entire year. the
| latter wo-thirds of it, Both were chair
men of important committees, and their
absence was unj Just to their constituents
and to their fellow councilmen. Rcsig-
nations should be demanded and their
places filed in such cases of continuous
neglect of duty. | desire to extend
hearty thanks to tho Other chairmen Of
committees for the attention which they
have given to their work.
During the unusually severe winter
have through liberal contributions been
enabled to relieve many cases of want.
| To be able to do this is one Of the pleas
ant duties of the mayor. Tho funds
which | have disbursed are as follows:
tribune tuhu 49,. ...'.... PLY wv wv
Shakespeare Water Cure Benefit. 5S7 10
Contribution from G. ID. Wilt. % OO
| Total ................... SIS 'J
On this | have sl;59 left to turn over
to Mayor Elect Gelsthorpe, who | am
sure will continue the good work.
During the year there have been five
and lwo tenths miles of water main ex-
tensions, $3.50 feet of main sewcr. forty.
one blocks Of lateral sewers aud 400 feet
of storm water sewer
| The Third street South main sewer
extension, bids for the construction of
which are now being advertised for. is
five blocks This. of course. will call for
more late ais
The C ty is lighted by 3G lights at d
cost of 9li per light per month and three
lights furnished free of charge. 1t now
pays for 236 fire nydrants. the first - OF
which cost the city $50 per year and the
balance $50
During the yea, for the first time IN
the history of the city, through the eff
forts of Poundmaster McCumb-r, the
city has been almost entirely FREQ from
the pet # stock running at large.
For the first time, also, the law with
reference to garbage has bee effectively
administered by Garbage Inspector
Nicholson. These two departments
touching the health and comfort Of al
citizens are OF far more importance thar
is generally appreciated.
] think we have right to feel proud
of our police department. Lawlessness
has been unknown and there has been {
surprising scarcity of crime, considering
the rapid growth Of the city and largo
number of transient and irresponsible
characters who have been about towr
from time to time. The conduct of this
department reflects great credit upon tht
chief, George H. Treat, and his force
There has been perfect discipline ano
they have done their work in dignitied
sober, quiet. and effective manner.
In my opinion the city will be fortu
nate indeed if it can again tind a man tt
fiji the position Of chief of police who
possesses the character and ability o.
the present incumbent Of that office.
A year ago the paid fire department
was an experiment. Now it is conceded
by all to be a complete success and al
good an investment as the city evel
made i am gratified to learn that the
fire chief, Mr.. Burns, and his able corps
of assistants are to be retained by tht
new administration. This is in the lint
of true civil service reform. The fire de
partment should be kept entirely ex
empt from politics or favoritism.
feel deeply grateful to the retiring
city attorney and clerk for his faithful
services, which l believe disproportion
ate to the remuneration which he has
received. Ever since the incorporation
of the city the city attorney has beer
elected city clerk. This is a precedent
which should not be violated, as tht
two offices run together; and making
the attorney also clerk insures hi
presence at all meetings Questions art
constantly coming up which require hi
legal opinion.
1t is with deep regret that learn o
the sad death OF Judge Morehous
Whatever the condition of his office
there is no reflection upon his honor
lie has been in very poor health for |
, year and unable to attend to his duties
The city will not lose dollar by the lat'
police magistrate.
/ believe the city engineers depart
ment is now in able hands, but there ha
not been time since the late unpleasant
ness to thoroughly organize the work o
that Office. This leads me to the yer,