The evening tribune. (Pawtucket, R.I.) 189?-190?, 1897-01-04
MAYOR GOTTSCHALK'S MESSAGE.

The inaugural address of Mayor
Gottschalk of Central Falls is fitting
document and one OF the soundest and
most progressive it has been our pleas
ure to read. 1t bristles with good
sound logic, and propounds the needs
and necessities of tho infant oity in
clear and concise manner. The SUBJ
jects are handled from business-like
standpoint, and each minute detail of
the city's affairs is touched npon in Q
non-partisan way; and If the sug-
gestions advanced in this document are
followed this year by the members of
the City Council, the ultimate result
will be advantageous, alike to the city
government and to the taxpayers, who
are the real benefciaries OF an honest
and economical administration of
finances to the city.
The juggling peculiarities of somo
of the city's fnanciers and heads
of departments, of purposely delaying
the report of sundry bills until the
treasury reports of the fiscal year are
closed, is commented upon and strong
ly disapproved by His Honor; and in
justice too, because 1t gives wrong
impression to the taxpayers. The citi'
zens who, by the payment of their
taxes, become the bona fide supporters
| of the city's expenses, are entitled to a
| true statement of the liabilities, debts
and incomes Of the city. The Treasu-
rer's report shows an apparent surplus
of $2,94O.95, yet there are bills out
standing to the amount of several hun
dreds of dollars which ought to have
been included in the last fiscal years
accounts. 1t seems according to this
that the Treasurer's books are carrying
false balance.
The recommendation to allow the
sewer taxes to be paid in installmenti
would work very beneficial to both the
one who has to pay the tax and the
city as well, because by paying it in
portionsl parts, less taxes would be
charged up against the unpaid accounts
at the end of the year. The necessity
for the practice of the utmost economy
in the expenditure Of the public money
for the ensuing year is urged upon the
members of the City Council, and this
advice is very opportune as provision
will have to be made to meet the pay
ment of $40, 900 and interest yearly, al
agreed upon at the time the $25, 5,00(
gold bonds were issued.
| Perhaps one of the strongest recon
mendations in Mayor Gottschalk's mes
sage is that in regard TO the public
schools. He strongly recommends thu
institution of . kindergarten, thereby
making the present system more per
feet He also recommends setting of
portion OF each schoolyard for tn,
purpose of playground, and thor
ough examination into the sanitary
conditions surrounding the presen
schoolhous,s. These recommendation
are based upon common sense and
ought to receive the prompt attention
from those in power. The needs OF
the sewer and fire department. ant
jerks Park are pointed out, and i
would be well tor the City Connci
to ponder we'll over these recommends
tions because they are Of vital Interest
TO all concerned.
The street railway fender question
the assignment Of wages, straw bond
on liquor licenses. the enforcement o
the law, and the restriction of liquor
licenses TO the ratio Of one TO every
1000 OF population, are touched upol
tn detail and the suggestions and rec