The diamond drill. (Crystal Falls, Iron County, Mich.) 1887-1996, 1899-04-15

Message Delivered to the couneii last Wednss-
day by Mayor Parks.

Inc statute unucr WHICH our city "
Incorporated provides that the Mayor
shall from time to time give the Council
Information concerning the affairs oil
the corporation and recommend such
measures as he may deem expedient.
The people Of the city have, in the free
exercise Of the right to vote, conferred
upon them by the constitution oil our
state, chosen us as their servants TO In
augurate and carry on the government
of the city for the coming year. The
benefits which will accrue from our in
corporation as city heavily outweigh
those which have. or possibly could, re-
suit from "a mere village organization.
Some Of them are too manifest to
require mention, others appear alter
some consideration OF the comparative
merits al the two systems for the cir.
cumstances and conditions Of this local.
ity, while still Others doubtlessly will
demonstrate themselves as time elapses
that ,nny not suggest themselves at this
early point in our career as IA city.
By reason of the enlarged scope oil
municipal functions and the increased
territory and population consequent
upon our incorporation asa city. It is
natural to expect. and 1t will no doubt
will be the Tact, that the expenditures
of the city will, OF necessity, no matter
how economically made, exceed To some
extent those uf recent years in the vii
lagc. But this does not mean an in
creased rate Of taxation. On the other
hand, the considerable addition to tax
able property will operate to decrease
tie rate in some degree and probably in
"A considerable degree. The city incor-
poration, therefor, presents the advan-
tage that the burden of the taxpayer
will be lightened
The city system also promotes higher
efficiency in the public servants and by
reason Of the enhanced importance OF
official positions in the city, a better
grade Of service is certain to be realized.
Under the city organization the dual
System Of taxation is abolished. Under
the village incorporation the owner OF a
village lot was compelled To pay taxes
upon that lot in two places. He had To
60 To the village treasurer to pay his viii
lage taxes and to the township treasurer
TO pay his state, county and township
taxes. Now he will pay once only aud
then only To the city collecting officer.
Other benefits conferred by the city
system not realized in the village AR.
rnngement might be enumerated, but
time will not permit even summary OF
them.
At the outset of our undertaking the
government OF this city we are confront
ed with many problems and conditions,
some az which would have been present
had the organization AZ city not sup
planted and superseded the village or
ganization, aud other Of which obtrude
themselves by reason OF the new order
of things effected by our incorporation
as city, but all OF which, in IL greater
or less degree, demand our serious and
business-like attention, consideration
and judgment.
Standing, as we do, at the threshold
OF our duties il IL not within the power
OF human foresight TO point out with GER
tainty and precision all the measures
that the highest welfare Of the city will
necessitate nor all the acts and duties
that we, the legislative and executive
OF the city government, will
be called upon TO perform as occasion
and predicaments, now in many cases
intervene aud demand our
attention. But there are some things
To which, as your Mayor, l can now
with propriety ask you to give your con
and recommend such action
la connection Herewith Az seems to me
10 be consonant with the highest interest
oi the whole people whom we serve.
IL ia Of the greatest Importance to
the attainment OF the best results OF "A
city government that the officers ~ the
government give freely OF their time. en-
ergy and ability To the performances OF
their duties To the city. The business
Of city should be run on business prin-
ciples and can think OF no better con-
ception Of our duties as Aldermen nnd
Mayor Of this city than that Of our
being essentially the board Of directors
or business managers az the corporation.
We should direct and manage the affairs |
~ our city corporation with the same
care, attention aud prudence that we
ought To devote TO the carrying on OF IA |
private business and should exercise the |
powers with which We ARE vested without
political or partisan bias or favor with |
the greatest good Of the people of the
city steadiastly la view and persistently |
To be striycn for.
Absence from Council meetings should |
not occur, unless caused by unayoid.
able circumstances and such an cxigency
m the non-attendance OF quorum
shold be unheard OF. The Council has |