Daily camera., 1897-04-20
CITY AFFAIRS.
MAYORS Animal Statement to the Counci

the past year and has made substantial
progress in8almost every line. The total
ordinary revenue of the city from all
sources, not including the balance on hand
at the beginning of the year, was s36,-
65412, which Is $5,703.74 more than for
the preceding year. The expenditures
for the same time were $31 437 10 for alb
purposes, including redemption of war
rants. During the year nearly $1,000 of
the outstanding warrants We're called in
and paid and since the first of the present
month $4,000 more. 1t is reasonable to
estimate that the revenues will continue to
iincrease from year, and with like econemy
the floating debt of some 100000 tcan
soon be liquidated and arrangements
made for meeting the bonded debtsas it
falls due, after expending a reasonable
sum for necessary public work The
financial condition of the city is good and
its credit frst-class. Let us keep them so.
The committees having oversight of the
different departments of the city business
have discharged their duties carefully
and consclentiously, often to the neglect
of their private affairs, in most cases have
kept the expenditures within the appro-
priatlons, have set good example IN this
respect for the present committees, and
are entitled to the thanks of the public
for the efficient services rendered almost
without pay and solely for the public
good.
When the sewer was built, many per-
sons who would be specially benefited
entered into an agreement to provide eer
tain amounts to aid the work. This
money was to be paid on the completion
of the sewer A number have not yet
paid, and it is recommended that steps
be taken to collect 1t or at least secure
notes from those in arrears, so that the in
terest may compensate the city for the
interest paid on warrants issued tor the
work
One year ago attention was called to the
d1lapldated condition of the old wooden
sidewalks, and during the year many new
sidewalks have been ordered and much
substantial progress made in that line.
But the change from wood to stone, COM
ing as it did IN the midst of dull times,
has been slow and quite burden, and
many have been unable and others un-
willing to comply with the orders of the
council. Many of the walks are now in
very bad condition and in some places
gone entirely. They are not only insight
ly and inconYenlent but actually danger
Gus, and the city is liable, at any time, to
be involved in a suit for damages received
through defective walks. 1t is probable
that money could be obtained by the city
for this purpose from persons who would
be willing to advance it and wait until it
could be collected off the property in the
way of taxes. The city has not been able
to do this work where the property own
ers failed, for lack of funds, but if they
can be obtained in this way the city will
not be out any in the end, and the walks
can be laid wherever badly needed
There should be a radical change in the
manner of street work. Several thousand
dollars Is spent on the streets annually,
and, with the exception of stone crossings
and tile Culverts, they are IN no better
condition than they were years ago, and
they will not be until the present method
or lack of methods changed. Ma
cadamizing or some system that will make
a solid and permanent roadbed should be
adopted and adhered to through the COM
ing years. A beginning should be made
at once and as much completed each year
as the city can afford, and no more money
spent for temporary work except for abso-
luteiy necessary repairs.
The mountain portion of the water
works system is in a very unsatisfactory
and unsafe condition. There is no sufli-
cient arrangement for filtering or purify
flying the water before it enters the pipes
or 70 prevent the inlet from freezing and
closing up entirely IN very cold weather
A sudden freshet Is liable to fill the pipes
with muddy water, and If the creek is
muddy for several days in succession 1t is
necessary to use it in that condition.
The pipe line Is also insufliciently covered
ia number of places to prevent danger
of freezing. The most trifling accident
or oversight or unavoidable contingency
might involve great expense and deprive
the city of water for days at a time.
There are several ways to correct these
defects at reasonable cost, and it should
not be left IN the present condition day
longer than necessary-certalnly not
through another winter. In this connec-
ton it Is also suggested that the old reser-
vor be repaired and kept in good condl-
ton. 1t can be done at trifing expense
now, it might be needed In case Of emer-