The Sauk Centre herald. (Sauk Centre, Stearns County, Minn.) 1886-current, 1899-04-13

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achieve the desired purpose.
During the past year many new
measures have been instituted and
promoted by my predecessor and your
honorable body, tending towards the
betterment and advancement of our
city and it's people, and l believe the
same are fully and fairly appreciated
and approved by the majority, if not
by all of our citizens and taxpayers.
Among these measures may be mer-
toned the public park, which is not as
yet fully completed. In my judgment,
public works, once begun, should be
carried to. completion as rapidly as
possible. While the real estate of the
park is an investment, the value of
which is not subject to depreciation
by time or use, l would recommend 20
your honorable body that the work
already done be preserved and the
park be completed, according to the
original plans, at as early a day as
possible. Iwould not urge that it be
fully completed during the coming
year, as it ordinarily takes time to
bring work of this character to attain
the best results; but would recommend
it's advancement in such stages as pru-
dence, reasonable economy and sound
Judgment may dictate.
A system of sewers has been planned
but work has not been commenced.
This matter ] regard as one of great
Importance, and I believe that the
public health demands that system
be commenced without unreasonable
delay. In fact l would strongly urge
your honorable body, this year if pos
sible and expedient, to place sewers so
as to drain blocks II, ID, II and the
block on which the public school
building stands. This would serve as
beginning and the system could be
extended each year to other parts of
the city; and soon, without feeling the
expense, we would have an adequate
and complete system of drainage. I
regard the cess pools and vaults which
abound as standing menace to health
and sewerage system will etfectually
and permanently do away with them.
While it may be urged in few indi-
vidual cases that the cost of construc-
ton will bear heavily on certain per-
sons and properties, yet not more so
than in nearly all other expenditures
for public purposes, and the burdens
cannot always be distributed with ex-
actitude. The greatest good to the
greatest number should be the govern
ing principle. Besides, sewers will
undoubtedly in time, at least, enhance
the value of abutting property fully
up to if not over the cost.
The highways leading into the city
and the streets and sidewalks should
at all times be kept and maintained in
good condition and repair, and the
system of cement sidewalks should be
carried as rapidly as possible to all
the business parts of the city.
Iwould recommend that your hon.
orable body give consideration of the
esta blishmept of a sinking fund, pro-
viding for the payment of the bonded
Indebtedness of the city. An annual
appropriation, however small, will in
time pay a debt of any magnitude, and
the interest on such appropriation, if
it be invested, reduces the rate of in
terest on the original debt. Besides,
the establishment of sinking fund
would, if need be, tend to strengthen
the credit Of the city and give addition
al value to its obligations, whether in
the nature of bonded or floating
debt. In municipal, as we'll as private
affairs, early provision for the pay
ment of debts is evidence of sound
business principles and good financier-
ing. The city, as we'll as the indiyidu-
al, which postpones the payment of its
debts is liable eventually to become
embarrassed, the city at least to the
extent of not being in a position to
avail itself of modern improvements.
Our city charter provides for sinking
fund, and while not clear and exact in
defining how it shall be done, think
it's provisions, such as they are, may
be taken advantage of to that end.
1t is always the duty of the public
officials to limit as far as possible
public expenditures and thus preserve
the lowest rate of taxation, SO far as
is compatible with reasonable econo-
my and prudence. 1t is also their duty
SO far as in their power, to see that
all property within the city contributes
its just share of the public burden and
that taxation may bear equally on all.
In conclusion, l feel assured of the
hearty cooperation of your honorable
body in all matters pertaining to the
public welfare, and shall always feel