Semi=weekly graphic., 1897-04-14

your city freed from debt, properly
 improved and kept abreast with the general wants and needs of the times.
 STREET IMPROVEMENT.
 1t will be seen from a careful perusal
 of your Commissioners reports that the work along this line during the past two years has been general aud far reaching. There yet remains, however, to be done considerable more work of this character, in order to complete, throughout the city, the system of street grading, draining and bridging SD rightfully begun. So to this end, and in order that the work may be done well, I must en- join upon you the great necessity of selecting none other than those of your very best and most practical business men of the city to do service upon your Board of Public Affairs.
 1 recommend to your consideration the advisability of providing ways and means, by which a new city hall and prison, adeluute to the present and future needs of the city, may be built. The present superstructure, aside from being old and dilapidated has fully served it's purpose, while your calaboose is but a disgrace to any civilized community.
 Your public cemetery stands in need of attention, and the monies that are reserved and held sacred for the purpose should at once be expen- ded in the way of ornamenting, beaut flying and enclosing the grounds with a substantial fence.
 CARE OF THE HELPLESS SICK.
 That some provision should be made for the care of the poor of the city. especially in sickness, no one will undertake to deny. That we have no greater or less number of this unfortunite class than other cities according to numerical strength is granted; bGt there is one thing which can not be denied, and is douhtless to our discredit-that in most all cities of similar size there is fund set apart for the care of it's sick, while we have none. There are many reasons why these unfortu- mates should be provided for. 1st, Because it is our duty as Christian, charitable. humane community. 2d, Because it is a debt we owe to the less fortunate. Sd, Because it is economy in the long run to do so. That we should be ever ready to be- stow charity upon the poor, we have no less authority than the Holy Bible. and our humane feelings should not allow ourselves to see the wrinkled hand and brow of the poor upon their bed of fever go without aid, when only 0 pittance they ask, We owe our Divine Creator a grate- iul debtfor the blessings of prospeity; and how can we better pay it, than to 'Minister unto the sick and dis tressed?' From an economical standpoint will offer one illustra- tion, of which there are hundreds: 4 mother, with little children is taken sick; thefather laborer. Now, he, alone, is the only person i'll tine 1 family who has either the judgment or strength to nurse the mother back to health. The father is the only producer, but he must not ne l glect the faithful, tender wife and mother, and so he becomes nurse. Production ceases, and what is the result? The entire family becomes dependent upon charity; the small sum of money is soon gone; the father becomes discouraged, hope lessly in debt. takes to drink, and the rest you know. Now, provide q
 place for this sick wife, where she wlll be sklllfuily and tenderiy niirsed lback to health, and at the same time