Frostburg mining journal. [volume] (Frostburg, Md.) 1871-1913, 1897-05-08
TOWN AND VICINITY.
The Old and the New.

cilmen Anthony, Schofeld and Shuck-
hart answered to their names when
Clerk Armstrong called the roll.
After the usual reading of minutes
of next preceding meeting, the Clerk
submitted and read his report for the
year ending April 80. 1897, which
On motion of Mr.. Anthony, was re-
ceived and ordered to be printed in
the MINING JOURNAL.
Then Mr.. Anthony moved that Coun-
Gil adjourn sine die. Carried.
Mayor Joseph Bear assembled to the
uncanopied dais and called the Coun-
cimen- elect forward to be sworn in.
Messrs. ID. d. Price, T. NJ. Price and
Timothy Griffith responded. These,
with Messrs. C. F. Nickel, C. H. Shuck-
hart and James 7. johnson, constitute
the new Council,
ID. d. Price moved that Council pro-
coed to the election of Clerk.
Carried.
ID. ID. Price nominated r. p Mason.
Thomas M. Price nominated James
A. Saurbangh.
Mayor appointed Messrs. Shuckhart
and Price telers.
The poll resulted:
Mason. ................... ..............o
Saurbaugh. -. Observation-Disclosures. Il
Mayor declared Mr.. Mason elected
The Mayor read his inaugural ad-
dress as follows:
Gentlemen of the Tom Com,cH Taxpayers and
citizens in general:
/ beg leave to submit to You the policy |
intend to pursue, so far as my power as
MavOr will allow and | am fortunate in be
lievng that am surrounded by a Council
that will uphold me in any suggestion may
make so long as 1t is just equitable and econ
omical.
We must not forget the promises we made
to the people in the campaign just ended
namely, good government and economy, the
watchful care of the peoples rights, because
we are simply the custodians and servants of
the people of our town, regardless of creed
color and nationality.
In view of the foregoing statements | will
say with your permission that there has in
the past been much dissatisfaction among the
people as to the manner IN which our special
police are appointed. 1t has been customary
Gf not legal for the Bailitf to exercise his
judgment as to who should be appointed to
serve upon the force. | am of the opinion
this should be changed. The power of APP
pointing special police protection should lodge
with the Mayor, with the provision that no
man shall be allowed to serve more than two
nights in a month. That, in my opinion,
would do away with the present dissatistac
ton, inasmuch as it would give every capable
and deserving man who wishes to serve an
equal chance, and would bring about better
feeling.
The next matter | wish to speak of is the
cost OF lighting our streets. 1t seems the cost
is out of proportion to benefits derived 1t
appears to be the idea of some people that
when there is a contract negotiated with
corporation of any kind there should not be
so much care exercised as when dealing with
private interests. Such theory you, gentle
men. and | know is false. We, as repre-
sentatives of the people of our town, are hon
orably pledged to make every effort to give
the citizens the most advantageous admin
istration for the least outlay commensurate
with fair living wages and profit Therefore,
l am in favor of making very close investi-
CATION of the lighting our streets with a view
of being able to negotiate for a three-year
contract, at a reduced rate, without impair
ing our facilities for good lighting. | believe
it to be our duty to avail ourselves of the
opportunity.
L
ton to is the matter of collecting taxes and
water rents. 1t seems the borrowing of 81 800
some time ago to pay interest on water bonds
was necesstated on account OF the present
system of collecting taxes and water rents
In order to avoid repetition of the same we
should ask the bailitf to render us an item
lied statement of the amount of taxes and
water rents IN arrears, and by whom owing
and then enforce the prompt collection of
these amounts and, with what is due the
corporation now by virtue of these outstand-
ing amounts we could appropriate the same
to the liquidation, or partly so anyway, of
this Sl,5OO-now floating debt, and as
have already said to avoid this embarrassment
IN the future we should instruct the bailif to
make in the future prompt collections as, no
doubt, you all will agree with me that it is
unfair treatment to compel one class OF cit
lzens to pay promptly and leave another class
unmolested, or until such time as suits
their own convenience | am of the opinion
that by pursuing this course we can in a
short time rescind the order which increased
the water rates 20 pei, cent.
The fourth subject L wish to call your at
tention to is the proposal to merge the two
offices of street supervisor and water superin-
tendent into one office, which will save the
town some $500. The work which was in
cumbent upon the water superintendent at
the beginning and up to within short time
ago is no longer necessary. Consequently,
one-half of his time can be employed as road
supervisor without impairing the service of
either. In view of this fact | am certainly in
favor of merging the two offices into one.
might state right here that am informed
that certain work was performed during last
year connected with the superintendent S
office that cost the town something like 500,
and that said work could have been perform
ed by the superintendent and consequently
same amount could have been saved to town
if the town had had the proper tools with
which the work could have been done. |,
therefore, recommend the purchase of such
necessary tools and also recommend that we
select proper and suitable place for the safe
keeping of TOOLS etc
The fifth subject to deal with is ye,y inn
pOrtdnt one VIZ the Board of Health.
am in favor of giving special instructions to
the Board of Health to make an inspection
once every month, at least and in case they
report any case deleterious to the health of
the town it shall be our duty not only to act,
but act Immediately and promptly to have
cause OF said danger removed from our midst.
We can do this by having premises cleared of
all disease breeding matter and use sufficient
quantities of lime or other dsiniectant also
have cutters and bitches properly and thor
oughly kept clean and clear of all refuse
matter. In doing this there is no reason why
we should not have the healthest town in
Maryland. After once this system is inaug-
urated have no hesitancy in saying that our
work will be appreciated by all who have the
welfare OF our town at heart.
The sixth matter wish to speak of is the
water bonds. am in favor of investigating
the question and see whether or not we have
the power to take up the water bonds and
reissue them at more advantageous figure
If | understand the nature of the contract