The Billings gazette. [volume] (Billings, Mont.) 1896-1919, 1899-05-05
THE NEW CITY COUNCIL
Holds It's First Regular Meet
ing Which Was Very
Busy One.
M MAYOR REAPPOINTS
Old Officers. Who Are Confirmed by
the COuncil-MayOr Yegen
Defines His Policy.

A more imposing body CT men never
graced the seats Of the city government
of Billings than the new City council
which held it's first reguNr meeting on
Tuesday night We spF imposing be-
cause it represents mgh of we'll known
business ability froH nearly every stage
of life The>waf they got down to
business was caution.
It was twenty minutes past 8 o'clock
when Mayor Yegen raped for order,
announcing that the council would now
consider itself in session. The roll
call found all aldermen present, except
ing Witham, who came in few min.
utes later. The personnel of the new
council by wards il as follows:
First ward-Cennolly and Bennig-
hotf; Second ward-Spear and Gle.
ment Third ward - Frizelle and
Witham; Fourth ward-Szitnick and
St. John. ....
City Clerk Herford officiated in lieu
of appointment Of successor. The min
utes of the meeting of the preceding
night were read aud approved, after
which the mayor placed his John
Hancock signature OH de book OF
record for the first time.
Alderman Bennighotf at this paritcu.
lar time arose and in his usual un-
ostentatious manner, stated that it was
always customary for the mayor, upon
taking his seat, to at least acquaint the
council with what his policy Of admin
istration would be 50 that they (the
aldermen) could have something to
"swear" by and to know in what di-
rection the good and progressive ship,
Billings, was to be steered. Mayor
Yegen is not an extemporaneous speak.
er, but as writer he has few equals
and in response to Mr.. Bennighoff's re.
quest he submitted the following COM
munication, which he read with good
effect:
Billings, Mont, May 2, 1899.
"Mr. President and Councilman:
"Taking advantage Of the time.
honored usage and custom of the ex.
ecutive addressing q message to the
legislative branch of the municipal gov
ernment, take pleasure III addressing
this communication to your honorable
body. The prosperity Of an individual,
a city or state depends largely upon
close and economical attention to what
is expended In public as well as pri.
vate affairs early provision for pay.
ments Of debts is evidence Of sound
business principles and good tinancier.
ing.
I'm examining the finances Of the
city government at the present time,
we find that the levy for the year 1898
has not produced revenue sufficient to
provide funds for running expenses to
the end of the fiscal year. In order to
meet this difficulty as far as possible, I
would urge the prompt collection of
back taxes and back licenses and side
walk taxes. and pursue Il vigorous pol.
10y in the collection of all moneys due
the city.
"The condition of roads and bridges
leading to our city, our streets, side
walks and especially our crosswalks
should have our continued attention.
1.-THE sprinkling of our streets, Car.
ried on in a business manner, can be
extended to the residence portion of the
city by placing hydrants at convenient
points for filling the sprinkling tank
without extra expense to the city.
Municipal ownership Of electric
light and water supply should come
under discussion.
II would recommend all necessary
improvements to our public parks and
the extension Of the sewer system to the
residence portion of the city and to our
school houses.
However, the people must realize
that what public improvements are to
be made this year must largely be paid
for BY property owners directly bene.
flied, and I hope that the policy Of this
council will be economical without be.
ing penurious. and oad.gauge without
being prodigal. It ia always the duty
Of public officials to limit as fur as pos.
sible public expenditures, and thus pre-.
serve the lowest rate Of taxation so far
as Is compatible with reasonable econ.
omy and prudence. It Ia also their
duty so far as In their power to see that
all property within the city contributes
its just share, and that taxation may
bear equally on all,
"In conclusion feel assured Of the
hearty cooperation Of your honorable
body In all matters pertaining to tho
public welfare, and shall always feel II
incumbent upon mo 10 far an IL In my
power to assist Ia determining and dis.
posing Of all questions thar may arise.
to the end that we may properly and