The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1895-02-19
Review of the Cost of Public Inn
proyements Shows a Great Saw
ing During the Year 1891.
PURCHASE OF WATERWORKS
RECOMMENDS IT TO BE MADE AS
SOON AS THE CITY Is ABLE.
Advises the Erection of New Build
fngs for City Offices and Dispen-
sary-Minor Recommendation.

Last night Mayor Denny submitted his an
nual message to the Council. 1t embodies
all the important matters which have come
up for discussion during the past year. and
one recommendation-the one concerning
natural gas-win doubtless be much appre-
ciated by the citizens in general. The mes
sage, in full, is as follows:
have the honor TO submit herewith, for
your consideration, detailed reports made to
ME by the heads of the city departments,
except that of assessment and collection,
for the year ending Dec. 81. 1894. These
reports too voluminous for me to re-
view in detail. I therefore request that you
will carefully examine and consider them
for yourselves.
Under the new city charter, Indianapolis
has made rapid progress. 1t has cost a
great deal of money to secure the improve
ments already made, and it will cost more
for every permanent Improvement that is
yet to follow. But the reputation gained
abroad in the past few years has been
worth more to the city than the inn
provements have cost to say nothing of
the comfort. pride and happiness these i'm
provements have brought to the people them
selves. do not wish to see extravagances
of any kind INDUCED in, unusual bur-
dens imposed on the taxpayers, and will
dioSoukd6c dHu prevent DOlH, DIS ldE DIS L
am able, for the few remaining months
that l shall occupy my present position.
But it will be my purpose to see that rea-
sonable progress is made In the line of street
Improvements during the approaching sea-
son, and that the work necessary to COM
piete the sewer system laid out by our
predecessors is carried forward. The only
direct cost to the city in carrying on these
public improvements is the salaries paid to
the city officials and employees who are
charged with the duty of experimenting
the work. 1t is but just and proper therefore,
that out of the taxes paid into the general
treasury of the city by the people. much
as can be spared for the purpose should go
into permanent improvements for the bene-
fit of the taxpayers, few of which needed
improvements have suggested in this COM
niunication. While very little be done
this year, aside from the improvements
specifically provided for in the appropria-
tons already made, yet trust some of the
improvements suggested may be provided
for in the estimates for next year, which
will be made up before our terms teXpre.
The report of the city attorney shows a
very satisfactory condition of the cityS legal
business to exist in the department of law.
The work of this department has largely in
creased since the new charter was passed.
Many questions of the construction validity
and constitutionality of its provisions have
arisen under it., and many more will, no
doubt, arise in the future, entailing vast
amount of labor on the attorney.
The report shows that 217 cases were
pending against the city during the year
1884, that 131 of them were disposed of,
leaving but Sc remaining at the end of the
year, and that the total amount of money
compromises and costs was only &c. $1,000.
An additional outlay of $1.105.3O was made
by this department for special counsel, print
ing, etc. in connection with the street rail-
way litigation.
The report gives the present status Of
each pending case, and reviews the work
the attorney for several deDart-
ments and your honorable body. l have
watched the success with which the pres
ent incumbent of the office has conducted
the city's legal business with much interest
and Satifaction.