The Anaconda standard. [volume] (Anaconda, Mont.) 1889-1970, 1895-05-08
CITY AFFAIRS.
Mayor Keith's inaugural Address Is Gen
orally Commended.

orally Commended.
Missoula, May Mayor Keith's in
augural address, delivered last night,
meets with very general approval to-
day. as the people read IT and think il
over. There is no doubt that the pol
icy outlined in this address, for the
reduction of expenses and the syste-
matte improvement of our streets will
be heartily Endorsed. The reduction of
the number of policemen will necessi-
tate the retirement of some men who
have been faithful servants of the city
for a long time and is to be regretted
on that account. but the need of re-
trenchment is so apparent that the
wisdom of such a plan cannot well be
questioned. The returns OF the police
court show that only about $1,000 was
collected in fines last year and that the
number of arrests averaged less than
one a day. The city has no disturbing
element and one man. IL he is attentive
to his duty, can easily attend to the
day work. For night patrol service,
two men ought to be sufficient. If they
attend to their work at all times.
But the most laudable suggestion
made by Mayor Keith was the one con-
corning the Improvement of the city
streets, which have become notoriously
bad and which might be made as good
as any thoroughfare in the state. IL
the mayors suggestions are carried
IL
at work on the streets all the time,
and whenever there are any prison
ers that can be impressed their aid
will be called for In this way the
streets of Missoula will soon be so
transformed that they will not be rec
ognized by the residents who have be-
come accustomed to mud puddles and
chuck holes. Bicycle riders and horse
men will appreciate the change and
the reputation of the city will be inn
proved decidedly.
Another important point was raised
by Mayor Keith last evening-the Gre
ating OF sinking fund. The bonded
Indebtedness of the city is $4,000 and
II is strange that so important mat
ter as this should have been over
looked so long. OF this bonded indebt-
edness, $4,000 will mature in 1897. and
as yet there has been no provision made
for meeting this obligation. Two years
will suffice for this purpose, as the
amount is small, but the remaining
bonds are of large amount and 1t re-
Quires no particular financial astute-
ness to foresee trouble unless a sink
ing fund is provided for Immediately.
The retention of the present fire de-
partment system meets with the APP
prevail of all who have studied the
question closely. If the equipment and
efficiency of this department is less
ened, the insurance rates OF the city
will be increased. That is certain.
The money will have to be paid out in
one way or another, and 1t is better to
pay II for prevention than for cure.
Such a plan should be adopted as will
insure the redemption of the bridge
and sewer bonds when they mature.
There is considerable speculation as
TO the cause OF the action or the coun-
ell last night In rejecting every nomi-
nation made by Mayor Keith. 1t Is be-
10 rfa
bers of the council are fighting for the
present marshal, c. II. Prescott. and
that the deadlock will continue until
the end of the year unless the mayor
dominates this man. This is not gen.
orally accepted. however, as the cor
rect opinion. as IL is thought that the
aldermen are only fighting for eau
Gus, In order to name the marshal
themselves. One thing is certain, the
candidates who were turned down last
night learned that the promises of al
dermen are not always kept and some
OF the disappointed men have ex-
pressed some hot opinions regarding
the average alderman. The confirming
vote last night was taken by secret
ballot, instead of by ayes and nays, as
the law requires. and IL Is not. DELI
nitely known how the aldermen voted.
1t is said, however. and the state
mcnt Is not disputed, that the two men
who voted with the mayor are hold
over aldermen and not the men elected
on the reform ticket. who would be
supposed to be loyal 10 the executive
officer.
In the meantime Mayor Keith is say
ing nothing but Is saving wood right
along and IL is more than probable
that he has a surprise in store for the
aldermen when they meet in add
journed session Thursday evening.
There are some men In the city who
are entitled to the Office of marshal
for other than political considerations.
and II would not be half bad to give
the council an opportunity to show
where 1t stands when merit takes the
place OF politics as an issue. There
should be no politics in the police
force. anyway.