The Red Cloud chief., 1895-05-03
TINE CITY
7 he old oes Out and the Now Comes
1n...License---.Com mittecs..-Ap
pOintments--Treasurcr,s Report
-Other proceedings--Mayor Bent.
1cy,s Message.

Other proceedings--Mayor Bent.
1cy's Message.
Mayor Roby and the citv council of
1s94-b met in their last session wednes.
day evening and closed their years bust
nrss after which Mayor Bentley and the
new council were sworn in and
ed the duties of their offices. It il TO be
hoped that the incoming administration
will be able to work smoothly and give
the city n good first class business admin
istration. Tbs condition of the finances
Is something that should demand their
clocest scrutiny, inasmuch as they find
the city in n bad condition with $4,000
Indebtedness Of floating debts, besides
bad water, a worn out engine and many
other things that will nave to be looked
after during the fiscal year. The pro.
blems will have to be solved aud the
council will be derelict in their duty if they
do not do it. The saloons want a reduc-
ton in ~licence which if granted will
cause a big falling of of the city's re.
sources and many other problems will
have to DO solved.
Mayor Bentley on taking the chair of
the mayoraity presented his message to
the council and gave them some whole.
some advice which they will do well to
profit by. Below We give the message:
THE MAYORS MESSAGE.
To the Honorable Council Of the city of Red
Cloud, Nebraska.
GENrLEMrN II am aware in "A measure OF
the responsibility that will devolyc on us as We
go along. | assume tile Office Of may or of cur
city, aud 1t is my intention To secure good gov.
eminent and to advance tho interests OF the
city all | can.
The councllmcn have duties like those I'M
posed upon myself. Wo should assist III, h
o;her and act In harmony,
Asyour presiding officer | shall endeavor to
act fair and impartial in all my rulings, While
! was not elected on any particular platform.
neither did | promise or pledge myself in any
way.
TAXATION.
The question of taxation is OF interest to the
people and | should like to see the most rigid
economy practiced. | wouli recommend that
means at once he taken by your honorable
body to find out what expenses in any way can
be saved, so as To lessen the taxes, and at the
4 amc time all possible labor furnished for the
working maj at good wages. | wish to see
that the laborcr who works for the city receives
enc hundred cents on u dollar for his labor.
But you will find much work TO do and no
money IN the city treasury.
CITY FINANCES.
Tho condition OF our city finances is not good
at present. The indebtedness IS about three
thousand dollars $4,000 of outstanding war.
rants of isa3 and 1894, drawing seven per cent
Interest per annum and being sold at Il dis
count Of from Is to 20 per cent.
II is a difficult matter for me to positively in
form you what Is the best financial course to
pursue under the present condition OF things.
but ! will suggest the following for your con
sideration:
THIS YEARS LEVY.
The law is plain that the expenditures for
each year must come out Of the levy for that
year. or course We have no right to pay any
part of this Indebtedness out Of this years levy
and the question is, what, If any, measures
should b- taken to provide its future rayment?
II tho Indebtedness has been legally contract
ed 1t should be paid. But ] see no way at
present to pay It, eXceptto issue funding bonds
or for the ci:,, In some other manner, to borrow
the meney to pay this floating debt. The
amount Of this Indebtedness Is very large, and
I would suggest that this council give 1t i'm
mediate and careful consideration.
THE WATER QUESTION,
Your attention is called to other conditions
Of importancs-ts the water consumers OF our
city. There Is much complaint about the very
poor quality OF water that the people are pay
ing ( or. especially during the summer months,
when good water is most needed. / trust you
will look carefully into the subject of good
water FOR the city. Allow me tn suggest that
you make "a personal inspection OF the water
works. In this way you viii be better able TO
decide what action Is best to take. ! am not
anxious TO make u public expose OF the con.
dition Of filth around your city water plant. but
from "A sanitary point Of view. and thinking
that 1t IS my duty 70 call your attention to the
stables, out-houses, doing duty as such) built
up close to tho water works house, also waste
water pipes running through the walls, letting
refuse water and all other Nth settle In the
ground Just above that which is foi city use.
A general cleaning up Is needed. There are
much needed repairs on boiler. furnace and
| pump. ! dl VI tnC opihioh 'hos NV "hoiS
plant Is not of much worth. 1t may be well
for you to consider a new location in the near
future for city water works, with "a new
plant entirely; but with this in view, the first
step to be taken should DO to secure plenty OF
good water.
ELECTRIC LIGHTQ QUESTION,
| would DO in favor Of the city owning its
electric light plant and water works, and under
one system Of management. The water COM
missioner should be instructed to collect all
water in advance, as the city needs the money
due 1t from this source, there being no coal on
hand to run the engine AT the water works
plant. All hydrants and caps should be oiled
once o month. The water mains should be
washed or blown cut once a month, on ac.
count of the DIRT that accumulates therein, In
case Of FIRE this IL very important.
SIDEWALKS.
Our sidewalks all over the city are In a de-
plorable condition. The street commissioner
ahn,lt ba inutrnotol IN saa thpt fhay IRA kant