The evening tribune. (Pawtucket, R.I.) 189?-190?, 1897-01-04

Gentlemen of the City Council:
Upon an initial occasion like this, it is
proper that we take brief survey of Our
position, surroundings, opportunities and
We have been entrusted by our fellob
citizens OF Pawtucket with the care
and administration of their municipal
affairs, for the current year, and
have taken upon ourselves the obliga-
tions of the Office.
The municipality is corporation OF the
State, a factor OF the States local govern
rnent, and because 1t is such factor, 1t
apparently reaches and affects, the people
In their social and individual interests
more directly and positively than the
States government itself
Good municipal government is best de-
welcomed and sustained by an open, full
and free discussion of municipal needs and
means by the citizens, with a conscien-
tious observance of the conclusions there
upon derived by both the people and gov
ernment respectively.
Order is said to be the first law of ma
ture, and 1t certainly marks the distinc-
t;on between civilized and lawless habits.
Laws are made for protection, not perse-
cution. and in their observance and
enforcement lies, alike, the liberty OF the
Individual, and safety to the public To
those whose habits are blameless, the en-
forcement of law is no terror, and the peo-
ple of Pawtucket ask in no uncertain
voice that the laws be respected and en-
forced.
Police Department..
The police department is the right arm
and reliance OF the municipal government
for the enforcement OF law and preserva-
fion of order, and 1t Is entitled to receive
at our hands, that support which It's I'M
uortance and fearless fidelity to duty
should command, while a rigid accounta-
bility for derelictions should as certainly
Fire Department.
The savings of the people and the wealth
of the city are largely accumulated In the
home dwellings, manufacturories, public
edifices, ard warehouses within our bor-
ders, and their protection from destruction
by fire, calls for the maintenance OF an ef-
ficient FIRE department.. Fortunately, with
us, such q department with ample equip
ments already exists, and while we have
right to hold il responsible for safety
against confagration, we should give IT
our hearty support.
Water Department.
Our water department is equal to pres
ent and prospective requirements, and as
m encouragement to manufacturing in
dustries to locate within our limits, il
should be kept in first-class equipment.
Sewer Department.
The sewer department as an necessary
adjunct of the water works has been very
rapidly developed, until there seems nc
pressing reasons for pushing II faster thar
Immediate necessity require.
Highway Department.
The highways Of the city have beer
greatly improved within the last ten years
and the maintenance of their present inn
proved conditions will be both q conve
nience and an economy, but, as with sew
ers, they need not be built for speculativ
purposes, or the development OF unoccu
pjed territory. Undertakings already Il
substantial process OF construction shoul
he carried to completion, but new work @
great magnitude can well wait bette
fimee. and financial conditions which w
may anticipate will come TO MS IL we ar
reasonably prudent In the present.
The control OF the streets should be jeal
ously preserved TO the city under all cir
cumstances, and their use by corporation
or others for purpose OF gain, wheths
for quasi public convenience or otherwis'
should BE- granted but for limited terms