The state rights democrat. [volume] (Albany, Linn County, Oregon) 1865-1900, 1898-01-28
90

Total. ........... .... 1880 90
The delinquent tax for 1898 will in all
probability amount TO - great sum as
that OF 1897. Il will necessarily follow
that the greatest economy must be prac
tised in all the departments OF the city,
and the greatest effort should be made
to reduce the expenses beoS the esti
mate as given you in this message.
At the session of the legislature In
1895, the charter WAS so amended as to
make the recorder the assessor OF the
city. For the past two yesrs the sssess-
ment has been made under this law,
which has added yearly expense OF
about $500. not in making the sssesmen
alone, bat in the advertising and collect
ing tie delinquent taxes. Under The
former lsw,th assessment was made by
| the county assessor and the taxes col
lecied bT the sheriff. thereby saving to
the city nearly the sum of $500 each
year. l can see no reason why this Law
should not prevail al this time. In other
cities OF the state thIs Law Is in force.
and il II works equally well with them,
I zee 70 reason Why the charter OF ihis
city shou'd not be 30 changed, thereby
saving to she ei,y,hs amo1at required
to make the assessment ard the colIec-
tioB OF the taxes. | would thersfoIs
recommend to the council that Of the
next session os the legislature they take
steps necessary TO have the charter 80
amended.
And rs further matter OF economy
would recommend thar the chatrer also
be so amended that the city election be
held every two years instead oil annually
ss nov provided by Law, and that all
elective officers be TO- the term OF two
years. can see no reason why The
marshal aud treasurer should not hold
he office for the same period as the
.ther elective Offices. BY making THU
change in the charter, the yearly expen-
ses of the CITY could bs reduced consid-
.rsble and at the same time the efficiency
In the service would in no wise be inn
paired, but on the other hand beiievs
the service would be improved.
There lie one other matter in the char
, ter that | think should be amended
that is the price per day fixed for road
work within the city limits. In my
opinion the Law should be so changed as
to conform with the state law regulating
the wages for county road work.
In nv message two years ago,
and again on the first of lsst year,
called the attention OF The council to the
bad condition Of the streets in the busi-
ness portion OF the city, and asked them
to take some steps in the near future
LOOKING toward the permanent improve
ment of that portion Of the streets with
come kind Of pavement. 1t is % self evi-
dent fact that permanent roadbed can
not be made by the graveling process.
Especially is that the case where there
10 The amount OF heavy tearing as is
done on the business portions Of Fret
and Second streets.
would therefore recommend that the
committee on streets and public prop
erty, make investigations as 10 The best
and cheapest kinds OF pavenier ts and
report to the council at no distant day
their findings in the matter.
The recommendations and suggestions
which have made leave TO your good
judgment as TO whether or not they are
worthy OF your serious consideration
The management OF the affaira oil the
city has been entrusted to your care and
keeping, and you should administer
them at al. times, that your every action
will merit the approval OF your fellow
| citizens.
Ishall, gentlemen OF the council, to
the best OF my ability, perform the du-
ties devolved upon me ss your presiding
officer. And I sincerely trust that
may have yonr assistance and co-opers-
tion in all that may be to the beet inter.
est and welfare Of the city.
g. Ii. BuRKHART.
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