The Anaconda standard., 1895-05-11
REFORM WITH A BIG R
That's What Mayor Keith's Admins
traion Aims At.
NO MoNKEYlNG ABOUT 1T
Some Changes Are to Be Made
Which the People VIII Un-
doubtedIy Appreciate
and Approve.

Missoula, May 10.-The action of tho
city council last evening indicates that
there was something more than wind
behind the reform movement and that
the new administration proposes to in
stitute reform with a big r as soon
and as completely as possible. The re-
duction OF the police force will save
the city $4,000 a year. and the town
will be as well protected as need be.
The marshal will patrol the downtown
district during the daytime and there
will be an officer at the depot as well.
On the night shift there will be one
officer down town and another Mt the
depot. 1t is considered that this ar
rangement will be perfectly satisfac-
tory. as far as protection is concerned.
and IL is certainly an economical ar
rangement and ought to meet the ap-
proval of the tax payers.
Another plan which is a wise one Is
the consolidation OF the Offices of city
clerk and city attorney. An ordinance
will probably be introduced at an early
meeting of the council by which this
can be done. The payment OF rent for
the city attorney is also 10 cease at
once. and these two changes Will save
$1,000 more for the city. This makes
an 80 Vi fosttt a cur dCtoiiRiiontQ
at last nights council meeting. and the
aldermen have only Just begun. This
is the kind of reform that the people
have been looking for. and they will be
glad to see as much of IL as possible
without seriously interfering with the
management of the city.
The Standard for several months has
repeatedly called attention to the de-
plorable condition of the city streets,
and has urged that some steps be TAX
en- which win improve the thorough
fares and redeem the reputation OF the
city. II is gratifying to know that the
new administration contemplates the
organization of a street department
and that this new branch OF the city
government will not be entirely orna-
mental. The plan is to assign the black
1re team to permanent street duty and
to employ a driver and guard for the
prisoners, both men to work on the
streets. whether there are prisoners or
not. In this way the city streets will
soon be as they ought to have been
long ago, and II will be possible to
drive about the city at pace faster
than a walk. This arrangement, too.
will save the city nearly 81 900 that has
heretofore been spent for the hire of
teams and men for the street work.
The efficiency OF the fire department
will not be impaired. as the team will
be stabbed at the fire house and will
be used to haul the steamer whenever
II is necessary. The hose team will
be retained for the exclusive use of
the fire department.
The question of reducing the number
of fire plugs in the city at first thought
seems to be unwise. but when the facts
are known II becomes apparent that
such a step is necessary. IL Is a fact
that several OF the fire hydrants about
the city are nothing more than figure
heads. as they will not furnish a sup
ply of water that is adequate for fire
purposes. Chief Mentrum has. at least
three times. recommended the discon-
tinuance of these hydrants, and last
year Alderman Stevens introduced a
resolution that all hydrants that would
not furnish sufficient water to run the
steamer be cut of. No attention was
paid to this, however. and the city has
continued paying rent for hydrants
that are absolutely useless. This will
be stopped at once and there will be
more money saved. II Is certaily re-
form with a big r.
There is a bit of inside history about
The vote last night which confirmed
city Marshal Angevine. The aldermen,
With one exception. desired n secret
ballot and they had IL. Alderman Ste |
yens had always been considered an |
Prescott man. and IL |
vas not supposed that he would vote |
or the confirmation OF Angevine. This |
would give one mo" vote and, under /
he secret ballot. every man who want |
d to could claim that single negative |
rote. That there were some who voted |
yes who wanted to claim that lone |
,ote was apparent to one who studied |
he faces OF the aldermen when the |
rote was announced last night. Alder |
nan Stevens tumbled to the scheme |
before the meeting, and when IL came /
O voting he voted yes" on his ballot. |
rhe clerk tailed off six affirmative /
,otes after the ballot had been taken. |
md there was more than one head |
eaned forward TO hear the report OF /
he last ballot 1t was yes" like all |
he others. and there was disappoint-
nent galore on some countenances.
)ne or two aldermen are pretty busy /
o-day telling how IL all happened.