Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1895-05-07

from Seventeenth to Twenty-third
streets, and Twelfth street from
, Fourth avenue to the south city
limits.
The permanent improvement OF
streets has met with much favor ia
this city. and trust ere long that
! all of the principal avenues and
streets will be so improved.
During the last year, and by vir.
tue of ordinances passed by your
honorable BODY, we caused to be con-
structed 81 miles of sidewalks. This
much needed improvement has given
general satisfaction. and as there are
a great many more to be laid hope
you will continus the Improvement
until the whole city is sidewalked
with durable material.
The sewage of the city has not re-
| ceived the attention that its require
ments demand. Owing to the large
| number of ordinances passed in the
last Is years authorizing the con-
struction of private sewers, the city
has met with considerable obstruc-
ton in its efforts to establish a sewer
system and collect the cost of such
Improvements by special assessment,
upon the grounds of no benefit.
Notwithstanding. the extension of
sewers has been quite general and
the probability is great of the intro
duction of ordinances. in the near
future. authorizing the construction
of more sewers
The police department of the city
has been a pride to all public spirited
and good citizens. 1t has been ably
| managed by Chief NJ. II. Sexton who,
through his untiring energy and
watchful care, has brought it to a
high standard. No scandal or call
umny has rested upon its shoulders,
and the officers have, at all times,
maintained that discipline and order
that is so much required Of them.
For fuller information as to the
workings of this department l will
refer you to the report of the chief
of police. Some complaint has been
heard at times of the need of more
police officers, especially for the ex-
treme eastern end aud bluff portion
of the city. l would suggest that
this complaint might be overcome
by mounting at least two of the Off
GERS on horses, whereby they could
travers their territory much more
frequently.
Fire Department.
The fire department is, at present.
very well equipped and in need of no
particular extensions. During our
administration this department has
been increased by the establishment
of two additional stations; one in the
east, the other in the west end of
the city. The CONGREGATIONS in the
past year have been light. with the
exception of st. Anthony's hospital.
and unfortunately, it was situated
so high on the bluff that the
city was unable to pump water to it.
However, this shortcoming will now
be bbviated by means Of the new
stand pipe. In the matter of health,
I would say, we have been extremely
fortunate; no pestilence or epidemic
has pervaded the city Great care
has been taken to keep it in a sanitary
condition, and the health commits
sioner's report will, l think, bear us
out in that we have been quite sue
cessful.
have only in a way callel your
attention to some of the improve
ments made during the last two
years. 1t would require too long a
. ha
upon your patience to rehearse the
many Improvements and enumerate
the many incidents that have Oc-
Cured. Suffice it to say that this
wonderful growth and material pros
perity must be gratifying to all, and
it is with great pleasure that 1
refer to this substantial develop
ment.
To the members of your honorable
body. both past and present, l am
greatly indebted for your kindness
and uniform courtesy; to the heads
of all departments of the municipal
government and all officers and en-
ployes of the city. l wish to extend
nv sincere thanks for their indulg-
ence and assistance while associated
with them in the government of this
city. and can assure tou all that I
carry with me into private life many
pleasant remembrances of our asso-
citation.
To my successor. / earnestly hope
that he may have prosperous and
successful administrations; that he
will carry on the improvements of
the city SO ably started by my prede-
cessor. and that when he retires
from the mayorality he can reflect
upon his achievements with pride
and satisfaction. y
Gentlemen, l have the pleasure of
introducing to you Hon. b. F.
Knox. Mayor of Rock Island.
THOMAS j. MEDILL, JR-,
Mayor.
Mayor Ku,x's Inaugural.
In assuming the gavel, Mayor u. F..
Knox read his inaugural address.
which is appended in full:
Gentlemen of the City Council:
I can scarcelv SyorsSa the feeling