Washington standard. [volume] (Olympia, Wash. Territory) 1860-1921, 1898-01-07
MAYORS MESSAGE.
MR. LANE ASSUMES THE OFFICE
OF CITY EXECUTIVE.

OF CITY EXECUTIVE.
The New Mayor While Acknowl'
cdsing the Embarrassing Condi'
ton of the City Finances, Sees a
Glimmcr of Hope i'm the Flood
of Immigration and the Wave
of Prosperity Sweeping West
ward.
GENTLEMEN OF THE CITY COUNCIL:
1t is under degree of embarrass-
ment that | take the office of Mayor
of this city Not that | hesitate to
render what little service l may be
able to give, but that | may not be
able to see realized the good which |
believe the future has in store for us.
l have strong belief that during
the next few years great changes can
be made for the improvement of our
fair city and the return of prosperity
to its citizens.
But the degree realized must largely
depend upon the unity of effort of all
our people, as well as prudence, wis
dom and forethought of this Council in
shaping and administering the public
affairs of this city.
We are confronted on the one SIDE
with internal embarrassments; grave
and serious conditions to adjust, and if
possible to remedy and improve. The
natural result of large public in
debtcdness, followed by the long de-
cline in business, with the rapid and
constant depreciation in values, espe-
cially in real estate, is fully realized in
this city.
On the other side, am confident at
this time, We are on the verge of a
great change for lettering the condi-
ton of the Sound country. Thou
sands of good and desirable people are
now preparing to come to Western
Washington to so northward and
many will remain with us if satisfied
with our conditions and environments.
/ hope we can so adjust our public
finances as to give to our taxpayers
hope and confidence in the future, and
at the same time satisfy the prudent
newcomer to locate and invest his
timid capital with us. At no other
time have we had presented such far.
reaching opportunities to secure an
increase in good people with industries
and facilities to develop our natural
resources. What good Olympia gains
from this great exodus of people from
the East must be entirely by and
through her own efforts. No other
city, town or place can be expected to
work for the interest of this city.
l am satisfied that this Council has
no higher interest, object or desire
than to do the greatest possible good
for this city, and we are all aware that
the prosperity of the city means the
prosperity of its inhabitants. In this
we shall expect to receive the ap-
proval and support of all the people.
l shall ask your indulgence for
brief time, to outline what in my
judgment are some of the essential re-
quirements and necessary conditions
for prosperous people living in
city.
The business and occupation of
people living in maritime city must
relate to commercial, manufacturing
or mechanical industries. During the
last thirty years the number of per-
sons SO employed in cities, has in
creased more than ten per cent. over
and above the general increase in pop
ulation. Ten per cent. of the number
of persons engaged in agricultural and
horticultural pursuits has diminished,
during the same time, in the same or
larger ratio.
Urban life has rapidly increased
during. the last so years, while rural
life has diminished in corresponding
degree. This large increase in urban
life is made possible by building up in
cities, commercial and industrial en-
terprises, whereby the many people
find employment therein.
The size of the city and its prosper
ity is largely determined by the mum.
Der and success of such enterprises.
We can hardly expect to find pros
porous people congregated in a city
without sufficient occupation to en-
ploy their time and constant remun.
Grafton to produce contentment and
prosperity. No city can support and
retain its population without some
means OF employment. Such city
must sooner or later decay. for the
essential conditions for city life are
not found within it.
The growth and development of a
city require extensive improvements,
and consequently large expenditures
from the public funds. These funds
must be largely realized from public
taxation.
When a city has we'll established
these essential industries, they bring
into the city large sums of money for
their products. This money in turn
is distributed for services to the EN-.
plOyed. Then all have ready money
and the people can we'll afford to pay
a high tax rate for public improve
ments and building up the CITY,. By
these improvements, if made judi
ciously, the people receive a direct
benefit and are contented so long as
they are prosperous. 1t is much cas-
Ter for people with a regular and
constant income to pay ten per
cent. tax than for the same people to
pay q two per cent. tax when they
have little or no income. A CONNER.
cial and industrial people can pay
more taxes and feel it less than the
other. ,4..
The Council should cautiously
guard against any act that may be
construed to embarrass capital or in
dustries from coming to Olympia.
Encourage and support by all fair
means all efforts to secure such.
The earnest efforts now being made
by the Olympia Board of Trade to I'M
prove and build up the CITY, by estab.