Watertown republican. [volume] (Watertown, Wis.) 1860-1906, 1894-04-18
Common Council,


Gentlemen Of the Cononeoq, Council:
We have again been called by our fellow
citizens to administer the affairs of this city
for another year. 1t is gratifying to note
that of the last Council so many members
have been returned, and almost without OPP
position, thereby proving that the people of
our city were satisfied with the administra-
tion of our public affairs during the preced
ing year, and the Inauguration Of a system
of public Improvement which should be logic
ally and Systematically carried out.
The five new IGembers elected, who are for
the first time called upon to take an official
although to agreat extent unacqua1nted with
public affairs, will no doubt give their best
aid and counsel in all matters pertaining to
the welfare of our city.
FINANCE ANDTAXATIoN
One year agOthe administration, then inau-
gur2ted, was confronted with floating debt
of a6Out$l 300 and not dollar in the treasury.
The rate of taxation for the last year has
been the same as for several years back and
we have now in the city treasury TO the credit
of che general fund an uneXpended balance
of about S& 900. The estimated receipts from
alt sources during the year are as follows
VIZ:
EaOm liquor licenses. -. $1,000
From show licenses, zines, etc.,. 500
From dog licenses. $500 ~............ 500
RalanceTon hand 1900 OBSERVATION-DISCLOSURES. 5000
TotaFestimated receipss Six. 900
The estimated expenditures for the year
being:
so8IarleE3lfoaQy apprOpfFt ted J o,6tt
Lighting public streets ard buildings. 6 900
Fire Department.. ................. 500
Repaired public buildings w 400
Election expenses -. ........ 200
Interest on public debt. ............-- 1900
Total estimated expenditures - $16, 0G0
leaving deficit of S2!G5G over the ordinary
receipts to be provided for by taxation. In
this connection wish 5o state that the CEN
sus report for 1890, justpublished, giving the
rate of taxation in anscities of 1910 inhabi-
fis.af he oft of
town pays by far the lowest tax of any city
in the state, The tax levy raagiug from
3.56Eper capita in this city to S62 96 in Su-
peripr.
BONDED INDEBTEDNESS
The bonded debt Ofthe city is new 500, l61
of'whieh amount 100 is for bonds given
three years ago in settlement OF railroad
bond judgments and attorney fees, one-half
Of|which amount will Oe due and payable
March I, 1895 The balance, $4,000, is the new
issue of sewerage bonds given to procure
funds for the construction of our sewerage
/ system, running for fifteen years and PAYABLE
in certain annual installments bearing 6rper
| cent. interesy. These bonds have all been
taken by our own citizens, showing that our
/ citizens have confidence in themselves and in
the future OF their ciJy.the amounts SUB
scrihe2 for ranging GIL the way from S206 to
| So 000
| Inth Metcalf case against the city, now
! pending in the United States supreme art
and argued before tkst tribunal on April g.
| 1894, by Geo. w Bird in behalf OF the CITY no
| decision has as yet been rendered The
[.
| and costs is about $50 GOO.
| PUBLIC HEALTH
Frotl the report Of the commissioner of
public health we finG that our city has teen
one OF the healthiest 1tl the state. the death
rate being considerable below the normal per
cantage. The dreaded scOurgS of Asia tic
| cholera, whIck a year ago made rad h avoc in
| many EuropeaG cities and countries, did not
reach our shores, as was feared, and wetwere
| also spared 81 visit from that other peStiience
smallpox" with which some OF our neigh
boring. cities were'at1iicted during the winter
and almost scared out OF their wits. would
! recommend that steps 9le taken TO carry out
some of the most important suggestions of
the health COMMISSIONER.
| CITY IMPROVEMENT.
| The recommendation in my last inaugural
! thatw hateVer TyEgbliC ifN provemeTt was SecOm-
/ system, well considered, has been followed.
1 The work on our sewerage system is nOWswell
under way and cGn he 'ffaished by next fall in
all parts of our Eftyw here most needed. In
this connection recommend that property
own9rg be required to make house draincon-
nectioas with the public sewers IL ali streets
where street lHiFz'oVe1ne is contemplated
4 in Ofpder that the ref lfing of the trenches
may nave ample time to settle.
1t hos been suggested in various quarters
I that our streets are ROW being tOrnup.
/ waterMains mightsas wea be laid at the same
time, even if il were found inaS1visable to
1 erect pumping stations ammedistely. This
suggestion shOH4d meet your early and
I thorough consideration. 1t is obvious that
no street Improvement that s thorough and
/ permanent should be u.S1ertaken lntiI all
/ underground MAINS and pipes are laid. Tne
/ streets fhat are now being torn up shonJd NE
4 put intoaa fair travelled condition as soon as
possib1eand withcrut incurring unnecessary
| aseverafward fumes be kept intact as mach
-as possible for future use in this line of i'm
HrOvement.
THE PUEBLO SERVICE
There Is still room for Improvement in tt e
| sp1blic service. Only men fit and willing TO
perform ffne.duties required of them should
| EBe appointed to Office; faithful and capable
sernployes should be retained. those who have
| sheen fOurDG wanting Enust make way for bet
/ ter men, and whoever may be elected 8p-
1 pointed this evening should be made TO fully
| understand that sOGHthing more will be re-
/ .quired than simply working the public cask
i drawer at,the end of each month Your de-
i ftergnina tioa1, gentlemefl that such will be
yoar policy and that in this you will work
hand in hand with the executive, will nc
/ sdOyibt insure efficient public service from
/ those who are required to- perform the same
In conclusion let me say chat for the wei
| fare and best interests of our citizens it is
neoes sary that the legislative and executive
] monfously together. In the continued dis
charge of the duties this day again assumed
expect your hearty and uadiVided support.
feSpSes1FtSi WM. F. Noss, Mayor.
The mayors veto of the resolution
passed at the meeting of April 10, re-
| commenting the purchase of an
electric fire alarm system for the city,
WAS presented and sustained by the
council by a vote of II to 3. The rea-
! son given was the lack of adequate
funds at the present time.
An ordinance was passed prescrib-
ing the duties Of the street commits
sioner and fixing his bond at 50. 900.
A resolution ordering the North
western Railway company to place a
iagman at the West Main street cross
ing OF their tracks was adopted, and
the clerk directed to serve the proper
notice.
The council made choice of the fol
lowing for the different Offices the en-