The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1898-05-03
is PROSPEROUS.
Mayor Fellows Tells of TOpeka'S
Finances
In His Annual Address to the
Council.
HE is WELL PLEASED
With the Past and Present
Prospects of the City.
lie is WE'LL PLEASED
Relations With Council and Lee
gal Department Harmonious.

! Monday evening It was as follows:
The year that has just closed has
! been marked by substantial increase in
| our population, and the wealth of our
! city. This is very gratifying indeed
! as the country has not yet fully recov-
! cred from a long business depression.
! Large sums have been paid out for ex-
/ tenSive improvements. The balance on
/ our old Becker, MuIlin and Berry sewer
I judgment, amounting to SIS. $50 has been
| paid in full, and a balance of. SO, 284- So
/ for recOnstrucung the electric light
! plant has also been paid in full Pay
mentS have also been made during the
/ year of S., 400 for repairing the asphalt
/ pavements. This includes the repairs
| made on Ninth street. Nearly s., 500
| expenses have been incurred and paid
! on bridges, mainly on the new bridge
! over the Kansas river, and for paint
I ing the Sixth avenue Viaduct- There
! has also been spent the sum of 81, 234- 65
: in building an addition to the city pris-
on, a very much needed improvement.
The total amount of bonds issued
| for paving streets and alleys, and for
/ building sewers, is $1,38S, 340.4 Inter
/ est on same, $439. 263. IS. making total
of 1887, 6O3-61, of which amount there
has been paid within the past ten years
1857 96S51 leaving balance out
standing April ]! 1893. both principal
THE general bond debt of the city is
1886, 500 OF this amount there are $40
600 Sixth avenue viaduct bonds, which
-
have to be provided for by levying a
sinking fund.
The amount of taxes levied and col
lected the last fiscal year was 5000
less than the previous year. The city
after having paid all its natured Obli-
cations up to the present time, has in
the treasury the sum of $145,93 81 A
large proportion OF this belongs to the
fund to pay principal and interest on
paving and sewer bonds, and on water
supply.
h.
year are $4,29S. %, being an increase of
$1,411-91 over the previous year.
The mayor and council probably ap-
preciates more than any one else the
exacting duties and cares of the office
of city clerk. A capable officer in this
position can be of invaluable service
to the city,while an inefficient city clerk
would prove calamity. The present
officer occupying that position has
proven himself a competent and
worthy, and courteous official, and has
given perfect satisfaction to every one
having any business in his department.
His annual report just compiled is the
most comprehensive and complete doc
ument that has ever been prepared by
any official occupying that positiOn,and
should be carefully read by each city
officer and every citizen of Topeka.
The legal department has been adj
ministered in satisfactory manner.
The city attorney has used every effort
to second the efforts of the mayor and
council towards reducing the expenses
ana cost OF TINS department OF the city
The few judgments obtained against
the city have been small, and most of
the cases brought against the city have
resulted in judgments in its favor. As
soon as the council can see their way
clear to expend the necessary fund
therefor would recommend the revis-
ion of our city ordinances. 1 think that
all appreciate the Importance and ne
cessity of this work.
The fire department under the able
management of its veteran chief, has
maintained its high reputation for eff
fecttveneSs- The mayor with the con-
currence of the chief found it necessary
to dispense with the services of some
of the employees of this department, for
the reason that they failed to pay the
bills they contracted with our mer-
chants for the necessaries of life, and
for the use of Intoxicating liquors to
excess The action taken at that time
has proven a valuable lesson to other
employees of the city, and it is now IN
derstOOd that a man must be honest,
industrious and sober to secure en-
plOyment from the city There is a
large territory in the southwest part of
the city which ought to have more ad-
eQuate protection from fire. 1t has
station should be located in that terri
tory. This is a matter that ought to
have the careful consideration of the
council, and if after a full investigation
of the needs of our citizens, and the
financial condition of the city, it is
deemed wise to assume this obligation,
will gladly join with you in taking
such measures to secure this protection
as may be deemed advisable.
The work of our board of health and
city physician merits praise and ap-
prevail The freedom of the city from
contagious diseases during the past
winter is due largely to the thorough
ness with which they have attended TO
the sanitary conditions of the city, and
the precaution they have taken to pre-
vent the spread of the few isolated cases
OF infectious diseases that have appear
ed at rare intervals.
The street department has been con-
Quoted in an able and economic manner
and while the past wet winter has ne
cessitated the exercise of great care to |
keep the crossings and streets in good |
condition, it has been done in a manner |
to merit the appreciation of all our peo- !
pie.
The department of the civil engineer |
of the city has also been conducted in !
a highly satisfactory manner. This de- |
partment has performed a vast amount |
of extra work in the way of general i'm |
provements at a reduced expense. In |
fact 1 think that the amount allowed |
this department for the work performed |
has been Inadequate, and. should the |
council feel warranted in making it, 1 |
would recommend an additional allow |
ance for this department
The superintendent Of the electric |
plant has used diligent efforts to light |
the city in a creditable manner and to |
conduct all the affairs of this depart |
InSnI IN an GCO1OIlF way his Efforts
have been very satisfactory. I believe |
our city is lighted at a less expense |
than any other city in the United States |
Our lights cost a little less than $4,000 |
per year, which is reduction of $50 90 |
per light per year over the average cost /
since the plant was first built
The work of our food inspector |
ought not to be overlooked. His work /
has been well done He has carried out |
our wishes in every respect and has |
been Of great service to our citizens
Indeed it is more than gratifying to /