Lewiston teller. [volume] (Lewiston, North Idaho) 1878-1900, 1896-07-09
Our City Government!
MAYOR ERBS MEssAGEIN FULL
READ MONDAY.
History of the Year.
A Reform Asked tor III Some Depart
ments-$l7, 900 In Improvements
During the Fiscal Year.

Following Is Mayor F.rb's message IN
full as delivered at the regular session
Of the city council Monday evening:
GENTLEMEN or THE COUNCIL-In
qualifying aud assuming the duties of
Mayor of the City Of Lewiston, think
| fully realize the responsibility of the
position. Entering rs | do upon the
discharge Of the duties of Executive
aud presiding officer OF a Legislative
body, all of whom are men of more
mature years and vastly more exper-
fence than myself, | naturally do go
with hesitation which another might
not fell. Nominated and elected as l
was without solicitation on my mart, l
enter upon the discharge of my duties
under obligation to no person, party or
section, assertions to the contrary not
withstanding, and shall preform my
duties, to the best OF my ability, in
such manner rs will, In my opinion,
confer the greatest good on the city as
a whole.
The government Of the City to be
most useful and effective should be
harmonious and sincerely hope and
trust that our relations throughout the
coming year shall be such that we NAV
work together without jar or friction.
BY the Charter of the City o, Lewiston
the powers of the Mayor are limited;
he may suggest and recommend such
measures as he may from time to time
as he deems needfui, and 1t Is his duty
to see that the laws placed by the
Council on the Statue Book are en-
forced. But while the Mayor has gen
eral supervision, in reality you, Gen
tlemen OF the Council, have the welfare
of Lewiston in your hands.
1t Is your duty rs individual mem
hers of the severa! Committees TO in
form aud familiarize yourselves with
all matters In the province of said com
mittee; to examine into aud to give
the Council the benefit thereof. 1t il
your duty AS u Council to look after
the health, happiness, comfort and
con venience, IN q general way, of the
inhabitants Of the "itv. 1t i~ your
duty to pass by ordinance such laws
as will cOnduce to the same. 1t is your
duty to so regulate and equal,ze these
laws that the few will not be benefit
ted by burdening the many.
shall ut all times endeavOr To aid
and assist you in any measure where
by the city may he benefited and |
earnestly desire that you will ut all
times assist me and each other in so
conducting the city government dur
ing the coming year that we may look
back, ut the termination thereof with
out regret for any action taken.
In accordance with the provisions oi
section 81 OF the Charter of the City OF
Lewiston, | respectfully present for
. your consideration this. my first semi
u annual message.
The past year has ushered in an
epoch IN the history of our city which
2 promises much for the future. The
: population of the city has greatly IN
creased, numerous business venture.
have been added, cupital has been at
r tracted and one of the finest educa
. ton al structures in the state has beer
- erected vnd the school put in success.
full operation. The location of thi,
school together with the desinbilit,
a of this place rs IL residence city, by rea
+, sOn of the mi d, congeniai ana health
full climate, should he the means Of "a,
tracting ~ desirable class of citizens,
e One Of the greatest raw-backs I,
the city heretofore has been lack o
cheap and convenient portage acros
'e the Snake and Clearwater rivers. Tn,
n past year has seen franchise granite,
n
-. ton so far as the Snake river Is con
cerDed and 1t is OF le hoped that
feasaDle solution of the Ciearwate
70 river problem may be discovered at "A,
=, early date.
:" The ferries across the above name,
T. rivers have very materially reduce,
,e the cost of toll during the past ye,.
j. and now furnish means Of ingress AN,
egress at reasonable prices.
Not only have we the growth of tn
e city to encourage us As to its future
o. hut, rs city is necessarily sustaine
10 by the surrounding region from whenc
e. its support is drawn, 80 we see In tn
~ changes. advancement and improve
e. ment Of the country tributary heret,
H. our brightest and most enduring guar
antee of growth and advancement i
- the years to come.
The Nez Perez Indian Reservation
one of the most promising agriculture
\ and grazing tracts in the Northwes
N has been thrown open to settlemen
and homes are being established an
! Improvements made on every quartz
3, section thereof This country is tIibl
| tary to this city. The city Of Lewis
| ton is the natural channel throug
J which this trade should and will flow
!, il the people interested here sho
| the proper 1T Of encouragement
First in thu " lrn il the establishmei
J of good roads ing to and from th
Il place and Will. il Is not in the pr,
vince Cf this :. ,ncil To take action q
this matter We, -ach and every one
! the individ,. > members should use a
5 possible inf -, Z with the prop
. authoritie- t',sar.i this end. Not on
n would the trade If that country
Il l,<.
II ton but much trade might be draw
y from that portion Of Shoshone count
known as the Pierce City and A'eipl
country. Not only have we the traI