Adams County news. [volume] (Ritzville, Wash.) 1898-1906, 1900-01-10
CITY COUNCIL cONvENEs

Annual report Of treasurer and clerk
read and approved.
Bills allowed on Current Expense
Fund:
F. Ebener & Son--blksmthg $ 800
j. j. Crotty-labor. . d. 90
w. II. Landreth ..... 3. W
J. NJ. Kauffman-bill on con-
tracts in full (ind. fund). -. 297 %
Messrs. l. Watson Myers, John
Bovee and VIM. Snyder sworn in as
councilmen for two years each, and
the new board was regularly organized.
Election of officers for the present
year resulted as follows; For clerk,
E. d. Gibson; night marshal, JIG. Shor-
no; day marshal and engineer, A. j.
Coss.
Present city attorney, C.L. Holcomb,
re-employed and instructed to draft
an ordinance providing for $500 at
torney fee to attach to all prosecutions,
said fee to be turned into the city
treasury. Mayor and clerk author
lied to enter into contract with Mr..
Holcomb as city attorney. Mayor
Peters then addressed the council and
those assembled as follows:
MAYOR PETERS ADDRESS.
As we are about to enter into new
year in the management OF the NUM-
cipal affairs of the town of Ritzville,
l have few words to say. From my
position as your presiding officer, ]
have seen and appreciated during the
past year, as never before, not only
the tremendous power of good this
honorable board now yields, but the
infinitely greater benefits that have
accrued to everyone OF us, by the
existing cohesion and good faith
demonstrated by the members OF this
board. We meet here to discuss mat.
tiers that are vital to every tax payer.
In the discussion OF these subjects it
is not to be expected that perfect I'M
animity and harmony will prevail.
No man can expect that every mem
Der of this council will accept his point
OF view in every particular, but when
matter has been discussed and acted
upon favorably by the majority of the
members in attendance, every men,
Der of this council should be, and is
bound by every tie of courtesy and
personal honor to accept the method
laid down, at least until good and
sufficient trial has demonstrated that
it is not founded ON good business
policy. Until such a time as every
member shall take u stand OF this sort,
our council meetings will fall short of
the objects OF it's inception. There are
no reforms that we may not accom-
plish, no evils that we may not uproot
if we keep faith with one another.
The matter Of permanent improve
ments such as street grading, street
lighting, sidewalks, purchase OF addi-
tional supply of fire hose and hose
cart, and the extension OF water mains
for domestic and fire purposes will
come before you the ensuing year. In
these and all other things the tax
payers demand, and are entitled to as
judicious and economical management
as though it were your own private
affairs. What we want in all questions
coming before this honorable board, is
a full vote and decisive one, either
for or against, and if it be in its favor
we want prompt and decided action
in carrying it into effect. If we want
favorable results we must take firm,
decided position and be prepared to
have it attacked. / sincerely hope
that each and everyone OF you come
into this council chamber with your
hands unshackled by promises, save
by the pledge to do what you conscien-
tiously think is to the best interests
of the taxpayers, both morally, social
ly and financially. Another recon-
mendation l make without any hesi-
tation, because ! deem it as vital and
necessary for the commercial advance
ment of our city, and that is the inn
mediate establishment of sufficient
number OF public watering troughs
and hitching racks, constructed after
the manner OF the discussion at the
last regular convention Of this honor
able board. The same to be maintain
ed for the benefit of the farmers Of
the surrounding country, who SO lib
orally patronize our various business
houses.
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