The Dalles daily chronicle. [volume] (The Dalles, Or.) 1890-1948, 1896-07-07

ing toWaroe the permanent improve |
ment and advancement of the city.
We must not lose sight OF the fact that
on account of very close economy but
little has been done toward the keeping
up of the fire department apparatus, and
am informed that the purchase of a
other minor repairs will be necessary in
the near future.
The light proposition is one which is
entirely unsettled and have never con-
sidered that The question was one of
lights or no lights, but rather what kind
of lights and what they must cost us.
1 heartily approve the action of the
arc lights, as we could not, in justice to-
other matters, continue paying out co
much money for arc lights alone. The
former expense for lights was some
$500 or 5000 greater each year than all of
the money the city could collect for
taxes over and above the payment of
interest on bonded debt, and was out of
proportion to anything else in the city
government. i believe, however, the
council should take the matter in
hand and see what arrangements can be
made for cheaper system of lighting 80
as to be able by the fall of the. year to
provide sufficient light for the safety of
ing to it that the expense is kept in pro-
portion to other expenses of the city and
within our ability to pay.
The question of street Improvements
in my opinion should have some con-
sideration at the hands of this council,
but by this do not mean to say that
we should begin an expensive system of
improving, but that the streets should
be cleaned and at least a portion of the
rut holes and sand pits, which may now
be seen in almost every portion of the
city, should be filed. Nothing adds to
the appearance of a town more than
well graded and well kept streets and
vast amount of improvement in this re-
spect could be made at very nominal
expense either to the city or the pror-
erty owners.
A question which will soon confront
US or others in this council and ques-
ton which must be met before long is
that of sewerage. The present sewer
system is imperfect and worn out. /
fully appreciate the sthard times and
dc not urge or advise that this question
of sewerage should be taken up before it
is absolutely necessary, but whenever
the council is of the opinion that the
majority of the property owners are in
favor of new sewer system they should
not hesitate to take the matter in their
hands and act and 1 might go farther
than this and say that whenever in the
opinion of the council our sewer system
is inadequate and is IN such condition as
to endanger the health and lives of the
inhabitants of the city, they should not
hesitate to try to remedy the evil even
by new sewer system. I do not be-
lieve any considerable sewer impr ove-
ment could be made to advantage ex-
cept by taking the entire matter in hand
at one time and constructing full and
complete system entirely independent
OF the old.
/ sincerely hope that the present
council will be as harmonious in the
transaction of business and as true to
the city's welfare as has the council dur
ing the past year, and that the relation
of the councilmen with each other and
that the relation of myself with the
councilmen will be mutually pleasant
and agreeable. Respectfully submitted,
~ FRANK MENEFEE,
Mayor of Dalles City.
Dated July 6, 1895.