The Yakima herald. [volume] (North Yakima, W.T. [Wash.]) 1889-1914, 1897-01-07
THE new CITY COUNCIL
II Organizes, Listens 10 Mayor Fechtef'S
Address and Elects Officers.
COUNTY COMMISSIONERS IN SESSION
The Incoming Hoard Favors the
Funding OF Floating indebted
MESA New legal Firm Organ-
Izcd-Otber Interesting Facts.

The new city officers took their seats
on Tuesday night and Mayor Fecther
opened the first session OF the council
with an able address in which he com.
pliments the outgoing administration,
and of which the following are the more
salient points
The success and stability of any gov
eminent depend upon the reasonable.
ness of it's enactments and the cheerful
compliance Herewith on the part of the
governed; in government of limited
jurisdiction, such as we are about to as.
sumo, the chief, in fact almost the only
cause of discomfort is excessive taxation
and this has been characteristic of almost
every municipality in the state; a tax
may cease to be tax and become q
penalty, and as such retards the growth
and development of the city, by render
ing Improbable the establishment of
new and durable elements to the popula.
ton. In our case there are
certain fixed sums to be raised, which
renders it impossible to reduce our tax
levy beyond a certain amount. these ixed
sums are interest on our bonded indebt.
edness and the fixed charges of the water
and light company both are matters OF
contract.
"+ The bonded indebtedness
amounts to S92 600; the interest upon
this amounts annually to more than one
half of the city's entire revenue derived
from taxation, il all the taxes were paid
during our term We will be in no position
to reduce this; our outstanding warrants
approximately amount to 81 900 Of which
sum $4,000 will shortly be redeemed by
the treasurer. Every time that warrant
is redeemed, to the face of it must be
added interest at the rate of per cent;
in former years the average time elapsing
between the issuance and redemption of
warrant was about three years; it " i'll
thus be seen that nearly one.fourth Of
original value was added to the payment
in each case; this average of time Las
been greatly reduced in recent Yeas, yet
We should bend every energy to the re-
duction of this amount of current in
tebtedness, even going 80 far as to
increase the tax levy in order that we
reach cash basis
Referring TO the statement made by the
retiring mayor at the last meeting of the
old council, Mayor Fechter said the
amount of taxes levied since the incor.
poraton of the city, which are deln-
quent, was appalling; owing to the in
efficiency of our revenue laws, the
collection of this amount, which, if paid
would place the city on a very solid finan.
cial basis, is rendered doubtful"
His honor recommended the improve.
ment of defective sidewalks and called
attention to the city ditch, which was
damaged by high water. He also re-
ferred TO the need of an arc light on the
west side. The matter of the volunteer
fire department was considered and rec
concentrations made looking towards its
improvement.
Two hundred and thirty-eight ordi.
nances, which are now on the Ordinance
book. he thought were too many and adj
vocated the repeal of those which are
obnoxious and the strict enforcement of
those left on the statute book.
Close attention WAS paid to the reading
OF the message which met with the APP
prevail not only OF the council but of a
large number of citizens who had gath.
cred to watch the proceedings. The
councilmen present were Messrs. Keck,
Taegard, Horsley, Vance, Larson and
Janeck, Mr.. Hartung declining to qualify.
j. j. Bscker was elected marshal on
the first ballot the only other candidate
who was considered being James Curran.
Ronald Grant was elected policeman; J.
p. Schwartz sexton; Frank l.. Rodman,
city justice; Sidney Arnold, engineer and
j. Baker scavenger. S. Null and Chas
Simpson were candidates for ditch tender
but after couple of ballots without
choice being made the election was car
ried over until the next meeting.
Mayor Fechter appointed the following
committees:
Finance-Horsley, Larson, Janeck.
Police-Janeck, Vance.
Fire and Fire Limits-Vance, Keck
Taggard.
Streets an Ditches-Keck, Taggard.
Public Improvements-La Larson, Hors.
ley, Vance.
Cemetery-Larson, Horsley.
Assessment and Taxation-Janeek
Larson, Keck.
Printing-Taggard. Vance. Horsley.
Board of Health-Keck, Taggard. Jan.
eek.
A. f. Larson was elected president Of
the council.
Com missloners,Preceed
The county commissioners have been