The Telegraph-courier. [volume] (Kenosha, Wis.) 1888-1946, 1900-04-26
He URGES REFORM.
Mayor German Delivers His Annual
inaugural Address to the
City Council.
TOUCHES RAILWAY QUESTION

| Urges the Democratic Members OF the
Council to Carry out the Demands of
the Platform on Which They Were
Elected Urges Reform in city Finances,
in Pauper Affairs, in Streets and Al
leys-Other recommendations.
The following inaugural address was
delivered by Mayor German at the
meeting Of the Council Monday
evening:
Gentlemeps-On again assuming the
honorable position to which I have
been chosen by my fellow citizens, 1
deem it advisable to present to you my
views of the policy that should govern
our course of action during the coming
year.
Before making any expenditures,
except the present fixed charges for
the government Of the. city, would
suggest that the finance committee
prepare report showing tlle financial
condition of the city at the present
time-a11 running accounts for sup
plies &C., should be called for, and the
net cash balance shown which you will
have on hand at the commencement OF
the present term.
This reportl should also show every
stability Of the city, including refunded
debt bonds, deferred payments, if any,
on paving and sewer contracts, for
which the city is liable, water rental
and light in fact, a balance sheet of
our monetary affairs. We-nust get to-
a cash system this year if possible.
Such d statement is due our citizens
and would guide us in conducting the
business of the city.
Economy must be carried into every
department.. We are struggling under
a'heaTy debt; we are in reality paying
more than twelve thousand dollars, a.
year (a5out one-eighth of our taxesl
for interest alone.
Our aim should be to relieve the city
of this. burden, as much as possible,
which we may do by keeping down ex-
penses and by anticipating water
yenta1 payments.
The present contract for lighting
the city extends for ten years from
March, $780, as I understand. I most
earnestly urge members to resist any
increase In the number of lights. let
us,re-1ocate the present number. If it
becomes necessary, rather than add an
additional burden upon the taxpayers.
Applications for railway franchises,
will be made to you during your term.
This, being a matter of business
shoEld be met in fair business vxaY-
there. is no sentiment about it-gant1e-
men seeking franchises of any kind,
seek them for their own financial Bene-
fit first, ard if the franchise is worth
anything to them, it should be worth
something to the people, who by form
ing eomnuniti ties, have created and i'm
parted to the franchise it's value
lido not favor placing franchises in
the hands of agents, spectators or
promoters, bat am firm in my opinion
that the men or company who propose:
to bai1d the railway or other utility,
and none other, should come and deal
with us. Agents or promoters do not
create the value of franchise. It is
you and I, and our fellow citizens who
do, chat, and if any one pays for these
rights the city should receive the con-
sideratfon.
Franchises are growing more waltz
able every day; there is an awakening
Ga the part of the people throughout
the country to this fact, and the day
is past when the servants of the people
will grant the good will of t11eir COM
1nunities, which is the foundation Of
the value of the franchise, without
compensation; neither do I favor the,
granting of a franchise to the injury
of private property, which would surely
be caused by the placing of double
tracks and switches in marrow streets,
thus rendering the abutting property
almost inaccessible for any other pur-
pose.
Do not be hasty in these matters
consider them carefu11y-confer with
our citizens, and especially with those
living along any proposed route.
The care of the pauper poor must
claim your attention more than usual.
The present poor house is not suitable
fo- it's purpose. Our pauper expenses
are increasing to an alarming extent.
We are paying twelve hundred dollars
per year rental for the benefit Of pau-
pers. The property on the Island,
Wisconsin street and near the cemetery
might be disposed of to provide more
| comfortable and commodious house,
where many of the poor, almost wholly
supported by the city, could be kept,
thus doing away with the enormous
rental expense, to a great extent.
The cost for medical care of the poor
has increased SO much during the past
year, that deem it necessary to call
/ your attention to our present system
and urge upon you the necessity for
immediate and careful consideration
and action.
The condition Of our finances will
not warrant any extensive expendi-
lures By the Streets and Alleys Com
nlittee. The Street Commissioner