The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1898-05-04


6.-Fire Department:
o. D. Skinner.
James Burgess.
D. ]. Dickinson.
J. S. Warner.
Judiciary:
J. w. Morgan.
John Elliott.
Fred Roundtree.
Seas and Electric Lights: !.
John Elliott.
Charles J. Drew.
0. D. Skinner.
J. S. Warner.
9.-Licenses:
Fred Roundtree.
J. w. Blossom.
A. P. Benson.
10.-Health and Sanitary:
A. P. Benson.
James Burgess.
John Elliott.
The mayor then presented and read
his annual address, which, on motion of
Mr.. Drew, was ordered spread on the
journal at length.
To the Members of the City Council,
City of Topeka-Gentlemen:
1.-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-
Etensive improvements. The balance on
our old Becker, Mullin and Berry sewer
judgment, amounting to S.. AGO has been
paid in full, and a balance of So, 2S4.8 80
for reconStructing the electric light
plant has also been paid in full: Pay
mentS have also been made during the
year of So, 400 for repairing the asphalt
pavements. This includes the repairs
made on Ninth street. Nearly $4,000
expenses have been incurred and paid
on bridges, mainly on the new bridge
over the Kansas river, and for paint
ing the Sixth avenue V1aduct. There
has also been spent the sum of 81, 234.6 5
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 $1,3SS. 34O.4S. Inter
est on same, $439, 263.1 making a total
of 81, 827, COS. 81, of which amount there
has been paid within the past ten years
standing April l. 1898, both principal
and interest of $159, $3.50. =
THE general bond debt of the city IS
1896, 500. OF this amount there are $40,-
900 Sixth avenue viaduct bonds, which
will mature January Is, 1899, which will
have to be provided for by levying a
sinking fund.
The amount of taxes levied and col
lected the last fiscal year was $4,000
less than the previous year. The city
after having paid all its matured obli-
cations up to the present time, has in
the treasury the sum of $145, 937.51. A
large proportion of this belongs to the
fund to pay principal and interest
paving and sewer bonds, and on water
supply apply A..
year are $4,298.29, 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
to the city, while an inefficient city clerk
would prove a 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 a satisfactory manner.
The city attorney has used every effort
to second the efforts of the mayor and
council towards reducing the expenses
and cost of this 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. I think that
all appreciate the Importance and ne
cessity of this work.
1.-The fire department under the able
management Of its veteran chief, has
maintained its high reputation for eff
fectiveness. 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 I'M
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 adj
equate protection from fire. 1t has
been repeatedly urged that another fire
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 full investigation
of the needs of our citizens, and the
financial condition of the city, it is
deemed wise to assume this obligation
I 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, 1t has been done in manner
to merit the appreciation of all our peo-
pie.
~ OH
of the city has also been conducted in
a highly satisfactory manner. This de-