Belding banner. (Belding, Mich.) 1889-1918, 1896-04-16
NEW COUNCIL TAKES HOLD.
The Mayors Annual Address COMMITTEES
Appointed-A short Session.

The Mayors Annual lAddress-Commlttees
Appointed-A short Session.
The new members of the city council
were on hand promptly, last Monday
evening, but some of the old members
were not so prompt and although, on
account OF other attractions, some
were impatient to hasten matters, 10
was about eight o'clock before aquorum
was present and business was started
at the last meeting Of the old council.
The committee appointed to interview
Mr.. Hall regarding the water supply
reported and the members not being
ready to take action, ii was left over
for the new council. This water bus
mess has been Il bone of contention and
organized and will be likely to continue
so until we have complete water sys-
tenn with pumping station OF our own.
Marshal Mitchell presented his report
of poll and dog tax collected for the
past year which was considered very
satisfactory. The meeting then with
out ceremony was adjourned sine die.
Immediately after adjournment Of
the old Mayor Bricker called the new
council to order and after the roll call,
all being present except Harroun OF
the first, proceeded at once To deliver
his annual address, as follows:
To THE HONORABLE THE COMMON COUNCIL or
THE CITY OF BELDING:-
GENTLEMEN In submitting my second an
nual message, | heartily congratulate your
honorable body upon your work for the past
year. 1t has been my desire and wish I'm the
past I'D shall be for the future, that politics
rnay not enter into or Oe z factor In The sp-,
pointments to be made or in anything pertain
ing to city affairs We have been elected by
the people and should work for their interests,
a whole regardless OF party congratulate
the retiring council on the harmony that has
existed in all your work during the past year
You have worked for the wards that you repre-
sent and for the best interests OF the whole
city. l thank you for the support that you have
given my administration during the past year,
and only hope that unity and harmony will
prevail during the coming year and for all time
to come, in the council chamber OF this city
TO the Honorable, the incoming council,
have only few suggestions TO make.
First, the question OF taxation should be con
sidercd Is it best to go to the fun limit OF one
per cent. which our charter allows or shall we
make an effort TO economize by curtailing all
unnecessary expenses In view of the fact
that our valuation has been raised by the board
OF supervisors, the tax payers Of this city will
certainly demand OF US that we cut down the
rate per cent. OF our city tax. BY guarding
against unnecessary expenditures and by cut
ting the estimates in some few of our funds,
the city tax can be reduced TO five eights or
three fourths OF one per cent. The subject OF
taxation has more 10 do with the prosperity OF
city than any other. Strangers seeking
place To invest in factories, business blocks, or
houses, always stear clear of heavy taxation.
Great populations must be tdred for public i'm
proyements, which are rendered absolutely
necessary II becomes essential for good
health and for the maintenance OF their pros
perity Their ability to bedr sach fardtiOH should
not be overlooked.
CITY PHYSICIAN AND HEALTH OFFICER
In making the appointment of City Physician
and Health Onicer due caution should be exer
cised; first, in the selection of the man TO h
the position; second in defining the amount OF
work that will be required of him by the city
third TO demand good and sufficient bond that
he will enforce the health laws and perform ali
duties pertaining TO his office The spread OF
contagious disease should not occur through
any negligence of our Health Onicer
MARSHAL AND NIGHTwATCH
The good behavior of our citizens, the morals
OF our children, the safety Of our wives and
daughters from insult through drunkenness and
rowdyism on our streets, depends largely on our
Marshal and Nightwatch We want men that
will command respect and see that law and
order Is enforced. We have not had much
cause to complain in this respect for the past
year.
LICENSES.
Our city ordinances regulating licenses should
be thoroughly understood, and IL not definite
on every point OF law, they should be- amended
so as To conform with the state law License
laws should be enforced In every case when We
know we have the law on our side
COUNCIL COMMITTEES
The attention OF your honorable body Is called
TO unnecessary delay IN the reports OF commit
tees. II has occurred I'm some instances that
some measures OF Importance have been pocket
ed by the chairman or In some way neglected
touch upon this subject for the purpose of
suggesting that it may be promotiye OF more
prompt dispatch OF business 10 formulate rule
requiring the clerk to report, from time TO time
the actual progress made by the committees
upon the various matters referred 10 them
STREET FUNDS.
/ believe the method adopted last year OF
dividing up the street fund equally between the
three wards is wise and just measure the
work being divided more equally In all parts OF
the city | would recommend that the same
system be adopted for the coming year.
In conclusion | desire 20 express the hope
that harmony may exist between the lcgisla
tive and executive branches OF the city for the
coming year