The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1897-04-20

mayor of the city desire to express
my gratitude to the members of this
| council for their courtesy and kindness
| during the past two years. Whatever
| success has been accorded my admin
1Stration has been due in a great ex-
tent to the assistance rendered by a
council that deserves and has received
the commentator of the people. Har-
mony between the executive officer of
the city and members of the council
IS necessary to promote the best in
terests of the city. By that 1 do not
mean that there should always be I'M
ity of Judgment, but that there should
not be captiOuS or SpitefuI differences.
The course inaugurated two years ago
of dividing the responsibility of MAX
ing appointments between the mayor
and council will be continued. If Off
GERS perform their duties faithfully and
merit approval you should share the
credit of their selection. If they should
prove incompetent and unworthy you
ought to share the censure. 1t is very
gratifying to state, however, that near
~ all those selected two years ago
have proved themselves competent and
worthy and hope few changes will be
made. Subordinate positions ought to
be left largely to the control of the
heads of departments. We hold them
responsible for matters placed under
their charge and it is only fair that
they be given the right to select the
employees that can best perform the
duties pertaining to that department.
4OpGhd occupies an GnV1aD1e pOSlC1On
among other cities of the west in regard
to her financial condition Although
she has been foremost in her public
improvements she has promptly met all
her obligations and has comparatively
few liabilities outstanding created to
pay for her extensive system of paving
and sewerage. Although it has been a
heavy burden for our people to carry
they have borne it uncompIainingly and
her credit today is a source of gratifi-
cation to our own citizens and COM
mands the admiration of those out
side.
1T costs a great deal of money to pay
the ordinary running expenses of a city.
Like an individual it finds many places
to spend money, and too often like an
imprOVident man is inclined to be eX-
travagant and indulge in too many lux
uries. While it would be pleasure to
enjoy the good things we desire 1t IS
more necessary to practice economy,
and I feel that it is absolutely necessary
that we restrict our expenditures at the
present time to the greatest extent pos
sibIe. Let US do everything in our pow
er to tighten the burden of the generous
taxpayers of this city, and with your
cooperation we can reduce the ex-
penses of running the city to a consid-
cradle degree and believe the people
will approve our course. During the
past two years many reductions nave
been made, but in a city of this size
there are always many small leaks
that amount to a great deal at the end
OF a year IndL call DS SlOppSO Al
though a. reduction was made in the
tax levy last year we now have more
money in the treasury than ever before
at this time of year and feel that We
can make a still further reduction in
the levy this year and still pay the
necessary expenses of the city. do
not intend to advise that we pursue
niggardly or misery course. We have
the interests of an active and enter
prising city to look after and we ought
to carefully examine into and provide
for its reasonable wants and necessities
but not a dollar ought to be wasted
lat the present time when charges
of corruption are made and proven
against those occupying high official
positions it is important that we act in
such a manner that no charges of |
wrong can be rightfully made against |
U.S. The consciousness of doing right is |
the greatest compensation any man can |
receive.
L hope the pleasant relations that |
have existed between the mayor and |
council during the past will continue |
in the future