Arizona weekly journal-miner., 1898-02-16

cil, Prescott, Ariz.
 Gentlemen:-In pursuance with the requirements of the City Char ter. have the honor to submit for your consideration the following message, covering CD the admins tration of city affairs during the year 1897, and @ such sugges- tions as I trust will be of value to you during 1898.
 The revenues of the city during 1897, from all sources, were S2I .525, = 42, being an increase of $4,3l0.6l over the income of 1896, while the annual surplus, represented by cash in the city treasury at this date, is A,S7.62, as against S3,7Sl.S6 sur plus for 1896. As this increase in revenue ard surplus has been ere ated without the slightest addition to the tax or license rate, but by a more rigid enforcement of police and other regulations, I cannot but congratulate you and the entire corps of city officials on the show tug thus presented.
 While the surplus in the city treasury during the last year has been increased, it has been done in the face of extraordinary expendi- lures. These expenditures of an unusual character have been as fol- lows:
 1. That occasioned by a thorough and comprehensive investigation of every available means for increasing the public water supply at a cost of S940.
 ?. The purchase and laying of new water mains, hydrants. etc. at a cost of S2,940.10.
 3. The installation of public street lighting at a cost of S930 50.
 f. The survey and establish ment on the principal streets of per manent grades, with view 10 the future improvement of such streets, at cost of S20S.50.
 While this has been done, the dis bursements for the purchase of new equipment for the fire department, of city safe and other property, in constructing street crossings etc, have been unusually large.
 Although the expenditures set forth above in the items covering the investigations for increasing the water supply any surveys of streets for grading purposes, have been made solely to arrive at and present to the public in an intelligent man. ner the cost aud advantages of such projected works, the manner in which both projects have been re- ceived by the public leaves but lit tie doubt that such improvements will be accomplished facts before the close of the present year. Both are urgently required, the. only problem remaining is by what means and the cheapest manner in in which each can be secured.
 In addition to the exercise of the same rigid economy which has char acterized your official acts during 1897, I deem il wise to suggest that during the present year every effort be made by you,
 l. To permantly settle the ques- ton of future water supply of the city.
 2. To thoroughly investigate and decide on the practicability of a public sewerage system, and
 3. To inaugurate an intelligent system of street grading, which is greatly needed, and winch delay constantly tends to make more com plicated and difficult of settlement.
 In endeavoring to carry these sug- gestions into effect I would advise that every effort be made to secure the cooperation and assistance of our fellow citizens bv inviting their active aid and advice. During the last year they have shown a most commendable spirit toward aiding the city government in advancing any measure that might benefit the municipality. Everything possible should be done to encourage this feeling and to remove the erroneous but too prevalent idea that, once elected, the duties and obligations of the voter ceases toward pnbiic officials, and instead every citizen should be made to feel that such of- fcials constitute merely the machin- cry to carry into effect the policies most advantageous to all, and in the shaping of which policies the best results can only be secured by every citizen taking a vigilant and active interest in public affsirs-no matter how seemingly small such affairs may be.
 With view to promoting more general and universal interest in the city's political we'll being, not the least accomplished during the year 1897, were the amendments secured by legislative enactment to the city charter, which provide:
 l. For granting the right of sui frage to all taxpayers without re- gard tO sex.
 ?. For making all officers cleo
 ve instead of appointiye, as had previously been the case, and
 8. For requiring any ordinance or act of the city council to be sub mitted for ratification or rejection at public election before becoming a law, on petition of thirty per cent of the voters and taxpayers of the city.
 Sincerely thanking your honora- ble body, and the entire corps of city officials for the courteous and kind assistance you have rendered me, since entered, untried and in- experienced on the duties of mayor over year ago, 1 am
 Very respectfully,
 Wv. O. DWELL,