The Cape Girardeau Democrat. (Cape Girardeau, Mo.) 1876-1909, 1895-07-20
CITY GOVERNMENT
Proceedings of the City Council
Adjourned Session.

Proceedings of the City Council
Adjourned Session.
MONDAY EVENING, July Is, 1895. !,
Board met as per adjournment with
the Mayor, William h. Coerver, IN
the chair and the following members
present:
Messrs. Bierwirth. Dempsey, Ca
lusha. Lind, Shivelbine, yogelsang.
Absent-Messrs. Adams, Bloneyer.
The Mayor presented his annual re-
port which was read from the Clerks
desk, as follows.
CAPE GIRARDEAU, No.,
JULY 1ST, 1895.
To the Honorable City Council,
GENTLEMEN:-As required by law,
l herewith submit to your honorable
body, my report of the estimates of
the necessary appropriations to meet
the wants of the city government for
the current year, and other matters e
lating to the fiscal affairs of the city.
In submitting the report l can only
ask your consideration of the appro-
priations recommended, or any rec
concentrations that ! deem necessary
for the future. For it would be pre-
sumption on my part to refer you
to the past history of the financial
affairs of the city, or its government,
for l have had the honor of being
your presiding officer For but a very
short time, and AMI therefore not in a
position to make r.fr!ence to the
past for your gu aLce in the future,
were it necessary. i AXE il al a
privilege however. and think it but
just to yourselves and the people, that
some reference shUul% b. Iade to the
financial condition OF :ae city. and
so far as tie seneral reye-
nue. fund is concerne1. When the
present City Conncil assumed the reins
of the city's government the Treas
urer's report submitted and read be-
fore the old board, and before the new
Board of Council vas organized cred
tied the general revenue fund with
cash in!Treasury amounting to 8 .556-
"a, and my honorable predecessor in
his message to the Council at the close
of his term of Office, dwells upon this
fact, yet he overlooked another fact.
While it is true that this amount was
to be credited to the general revenue
fund in cash at the time the Treasur-
er's report was read, yet il is also
true, that at the meeting that this 70
port was read and this balance report
ed to the credit OF said fund claims
were allowed against the city, and
warrants ordered drawn against this
fund to pay the same amounting to
81, AS. 81. In addition to this there
were outstanding warrants unpaid is
sued previous to that time amounting
to ss34.2O, making a total of s2,2S1.04
s275.60 actually in said fund. In
other words, the general revenue fund
had to its credit the great amount of
s275.60 So the present city govern
ment commenced to conduct the city
financial affairs, with s275.60 in the
general revenue fund and to pay for
contracts made by their predecessors
for fire hydrant rental, revision of the
ordinances, fire hose and sewer pipe
amounting to 1870 not including
electric lights. which had to be met in
May, July and August of this year.
A not very fattering prospect for the
new Board, on assuming control OF
the city government. While referring
to the condition of the general revenue
fund at the beginning OF this adminis-
tration / deem it appropriate at this
time to call your attention to the inn
portance Of q careful management OF
this fund in the future for it is imper-
atiye that our expenditures should be
based on a proper estimate Of the re-