Omaha daily bee., 1897-03-16

CongrntuIntcs Council on Rctrcnch-
ment in City GoNernmcnt.

ousy session last nlgnt 1ne oiu council
closed UP its business, which consisted Of
clearing the table OF matters that have been
hanging fire for some time. The special
committee on printing the city ordinance
books reported in favor Of letting the con-
tract to the new Nonpareil Printing COM
pany at $3.50 per page. The report was re-
ceived and approved, after some opposition
by the democratic members.
The committee on streets and alleys re-
ported in favor Of referring the matter of
brick walk in the Third ward to Alder
man-elect Metcalf. and IL was so referred.
The committee reported that the petition
for the opening OF an alleged alley in
Auditors subdivision should be laid on the
table, as there was no alley there. The re-
port was concurred in.
The committee to which was referred the
petition OF John Clark for damages to his
property on Fleming avenue, reported in
favor OF compromising for s75, and the re-
port was concurred in.
The committee on fire and lights reported
in favor OF allowing So on the bill of f. II.
Guanella for s15 for rent Of building on
South Main street for fire department pur-
poses, and the report was concurred in.
The finance committee reported that 1t
mad examined the monthly reports of city
officers and had found them correct
The annual message of Mayor Carson was
then read. 1t was an interesting document
and was listened to with great interest
Mayor Carson congratulates the council on
having attended a more efficient admins
tration OF the city than has obtained in any
OF the preceding years The total general
fund derived from the 10-mill levy aggre-
gated only $50, 3417S and the current ex-
penses were 12,55S.30 less. These economic
results were obtained by the provident
careful, conservative administration of every
committee and the departments requiring
disbursements in the line of their respective
a tfnn .tr II
leys has drawn less upon the citys resources
by 1880 than in the preceding year, but
care and diligence has prevented serious in
jury to any person within the city limits
during the year. The fire department is in
efficient working order with less expendi-
ture by 81, 400 than in the preceding year.
The engineers department has been eff
ciently conducted at a reduction of expenses
aggregating 1884 and has done the work
upon the street and sewer improvements
aggregating about $4,000.
The merging of the departments of mar
shal and police reduced the expenses $1,122
as compared with the preceding year. The
mayor especially compliments the work in
this department, saying that although
offenses have been committed the offenders
have been arrested and brought to trial in
nearly every instance, and stolen property
recovered and restored to the owners. The
city pound leaves net balance to its credit
of $15S.
The expense of gas and street lights shows
a small increase over last year due to bills
carried over. The lighting has been fairly
satisfactory.
With regard to the water service the
mayor says: with the present levy Of 5
mills for water service we are unable to
avoid a small annual deficiency. The over
draft in warrants upon the water and gen
eral funds aggregate $160,979S2, Of which
SS7 ,705 are outstanding water fund warrants"
The bonded debt has been reduced during
tho year in the aggregate sum of $113,7O0,
of which S39, 900 were regular, $15 900 inter-
sscticn and 700 special assessment bonds.
The total saving on the interest account Ia
SS,722 The bonded debt now aggregates
S464, 300.
Retrenchment has been observed in every
department. The school board has reduced
it's levy over mills in the aggregate. The
park commissioners have been prudent and
the 1-mill levy fund will take care of all
necessary work for the coming year. as well
as the past year. The work of the Board Of
Health 10 commended with the statement
that the death rate has been lower than in
any preceding year.
Alderman Greenshields asked to have 200
copies Of the message printed for general
distribution and his request was granted
The old council then adjourned and ceased
to exist and the new council came into being.
Immediately after organization N. G. Phillips
was reelected city clerk without opposition.
Alderman Graham was chosen president of
the council. The appointment of Nat Shep-
ard as deputy city clerk was approved. A
number of applicants sent in petitions for
various offices to be filled by the council and
all were placed on file. The mayor an
the following committees:
Finance-Pace, Atkins and Metcalf
Judcary-Shubert, Graham and Brough.
Claims and Printing-Sayles, Casper and
Pace.
Streets and Alleys-Casper Metcalf and
Graham.
Bridges and City Property-Brough, Shu-
bert and Casper.
Fire and Light-Graham, Brough and
Shubert.
Police and Health-Atkins. Pace and
Sayes.
Water Works-Metcalf, Sayles and At
kins,