The Corvallis gazette. [volume] (Corvallis, Or.) 1862-1899, 1894-06-15

approximate accrued interest on the city
hall orders, ETC., and we have total liabii'
ties in the sum of S,447.36.
1t will be seen by inspection of the report
of the police judge that We have received
but 81, $3.50 of the taxes of 1898 and that
there remains balance of the taxes OF
| 1898 uncollected in the sum of ahont ~,
600, to which add cash in the city treasury
at this time, in the sum of 1855 IS, and we
have the sum of So. 656 IS, which in justice
should be deducted from the said total liza.
bilit,es of SlS,447 SO, so that orr net in
debtedness at this time is SIS, 100 81.
In this connection I would call your at.
tention to the fact that at the time the coun.
Gil of 1888 was elected, various extensive
street improvements were in progress under
W. H. Hairless, as superintendent, necessi'
tating large expenditures of money, SO that
at the June 18th, 1893, meeting of the
council, claims. largely on this account. to
the extent of $l,73S AZ, for work during
the month of May, were allowed and also
for the continuation Of the same work dur
ing the month of June, 1893, claims there
for in the sum of $l.2lS.SO were allowed by
the council, which has entered into the to-
tai indebtedness of the present year.
DRAINAGE.
The present sanitary conditions of the
city are perhaps better than ever before.
This is doubtless owing to the surface
drains inaugurated under the general i'm
provement of the streets during the past
two years. 1t seems very questionable
whether the sewer extending from 4th street
to the river is sufficient to drain all the
water from the surface drains connected
Herewith, as the streets were fooled on at
least two or more occasions during the past
season.
FIRE DEPARTMENT.
The fire department appears to he in bet
ter condition at this time than during the
past yenr. The department has always
rendered faithful and efficient service to the
city. and is deserving of all consideration as
a volunteer fire department. The coffee
SAuo hoc @ SiSSo ioi sAAS
general advancement of the fire department
and deserves the grateful thanks of the city
to those who organized it. and to those who
maintain it's present efficient condition.
THE PURCHASE OF THE WATER WORKS.
The matters growing out of the purchase
of the water works has been the fruitful
source of much vexation and litigation to
all concerned. The matter of the suit in.
stituted by certain of our citizens has been
pending in the courts for more than year
last past, with the cause still pending. Up
to the present time, sum of money aggre.
eating about 500 has been expended by
the city in this suit, and what the final out
come of the case may be is certainly i'll
volved in much doubt. 1t will doubtless
be remembered that at special election held
in this city, in 1892, on four bonded propo-
sitions, viz: The water, electric light, and
sewer bond propositions were each carried
by large majority of the voters, the bridge
bonds alone being defeated. Your body,
pursuant to a majority of the votes cast at
that election, proceeded to purchase the
Corvallis water works for the sum of $685.
600, the result of which was the institution
of the suit herein mentioned against the
then mayor and members of the city coun.
Gil generally. To the complaint in that suit
q demurrer was interposed which was over.
ruled hy the circnit court, and which de-
cision of the circuit court, in over.ru!ing
this demurrer, has recently been affirmed
by oar supreme court, and the snit has been
remanded back for further proceedings.
The right of the city to make such pur-'
chase or float bonds for either water, elec.
trio light or sewerage, has not been past
upon by the courts. The result thus far
has been far from profitable. and what, if
any, power the city may have, the result of
the vote at the especial election is involved
in profound darkness. with an expensive
suit pending. It may be that the voters
were lily advised in the premises or it may
be they were correct in their votes. The
fact is that the manner fixed by the charter
seems to have been followed and no other
possible course was left the council than to
proceed to act. With the result of this
special election spread upon the records
there should in reason be some tribunal to
test and determine the legality of that
election, otherwise it will involve the coun.
Gil in perplexity in. all future matters.
touching either water, electric light or sew
erage.
The city, beiug joined in this auit as party
defendant, is placed in very awkward po.
sition toward an adjustment or settlement
of the matter, if such thing is possible.
It might, however, be advisable to refer the
matter to some committee to ascertain if
there is any extracation from this pending
suit,
The charter has given to the city council
full power and authority to license. tax and
regulate the liquor traffic, or prohibit the
same, and has also made ample provisions
for bonds, fixing the conditions thereof,
among which conditions are that she will
keep an orderly house; that will not permit
any unlawful gaming, or riotous or dis
orderly conduct therein: that he will
not sell or in any way dispose of any spir-
itous or malt liquors on the first day of
the week, commonly called Sunday; that
L< ,y;lI vo% r. CON oman his tibn1inp hOuse or