The Republican journal., 1901-03-21
CITY GOVERNMENT ORGANIZED.

NAA 0VvGMNmENx VM0AN4kEO.
In accordance with the provisions of the
city charter, the Mayor, Aldermen and Com
mon COuncilmen elect met in the city rooms
at 10 o'clock Monday forenoon, March 18th,
and were sworn by Joseph Williamson,
Esq, Justice of the Peace. The members
of both boards were present except Council
man Chase, who is out of town.
Prayer was offered by Rev. A. A. Smith.
Mayor Small read his annual address, as
follows:
GENTLEMEN OF THE CITY COUNCIL:
According to custom we are about to as
Semble in joint convention to organize the
city government for the ensuing year. Many
important matters, including refunding our
municipal debt, and building the new bridge
have been ably handled by preceding ad-
ministrations These disposed of, so far as
can now be seen, leave to us, largely, the
ordinary routine duties pertaining to our
respective offices. Still mindful of our con-
stituents who have seen fit by their suffrage
to place us in charge of city affairs, and
ever mindful of the best interests of the en-
tire community, we shall have duties to
perform which should call forth our best
efforts to furnish clean and healthful ad-
ministration. To this end l would counsel
mature deliberation upon every subject
which may come before us, weighing every
matter carefully and in every possible light,
and when convinced that our deductions
are logical and just, give voice to our con-
victions without favor and without fear
! earnestly hope that our relations one
with another may be cordial, and that we
may all strive to familiariZe ourselves with
our duties and work together with the one
steadfast purpose of performing them cred
itably to ourselves and to our city, and thus
emulate the achievements of our predeceS-
SOrS.
FINANCES.
In regard to the city's finances it is pleas
ing to note that the treasurer's report,
March, 1901, shows a balance OF SIS, 464. W
which is creditable showing, and glow
ing tribute to the financial ability OF our
predecessors in Office. While in favor OF
strictly guarding our treasury so that there
shall not be the outgoing OF single dollar
without an adequate return in value re-
ceived, / am inclined to the belief that in
city as well as in national affairs, a too large
reserve is not good economy and it is for you
to determine whether portion of this bal
ance shall be appropriated to use for things
needful, reducing the burden of taxation by
so much or that this sum be kept intact and
the usual amounts be raised at the usual
rates Of taxation, provided there is nc
shrinkage in valuation. | would recon-
poses, but not prodigality.
.RoADs, BRIDGES AND SIDEWALKS.
For a city numerically so small we have a
large mileage in roads and large number
of quite considerable bridges. To keel
these in good condition would require a
large outlay of money-much larger than
has been available heretofore or probably
will be for many years to come. While Ia
boring under this handicap the old adage
that ''The best is cheapest is neverthe-
less true when applied to roads and bridges
During the past year gravel has been used
with gratifying results in some localities
which have heretofore been considered bad
There are many other pieces of road which
could advantageouSly be treated with gravel
or crushed stone with equally good results
1t should be the duty of commissioner and
calitieS, and introduce modern methods OF
road construction in such places as need it
most. By permanently remedying small sec
tions each year the aggregate would soon be
very much in evidence. In regard to bridges
the Little River bridge tells it's own story
That the long-lived steel or iron bridge whel
placed upon Il good foundation is cheapest
in the end and should be introduced whe1
new structures are needed. Owing to money
diverted from the ordinary channels, oul
sidewalks did not receive the usual amount
of repairs last season, consequently they
| would also suggest the extension of con
crete from Masonic Temple to the end OF
the row on Main Street.
SEWERS.
Work on our sewer system which was
suspended last year should be resumed this
season with as large an appropriation as
can be spared for this purpose. 1t is i'm
portant as a sanitary measure to complete
the system in the shortest possible time
c1,n nd TON nm N
taken up this year which needs it most
and which from lack of natural drainage
has furnished the greater part of our ty
phoid cases during the last five years
Money expended for sewer purposes in
selected localities is not only well spent
when measured by it's convenience, but may
save a more costly expenditure.
THE POOR
Alta recent, but unheralded, visit to the
poor farm | was pleased to note the com
Portable quarters, the generally neat and
tidy appearance of every thing pertaining
thereto as we'll as the well kept and con-
tented appearance of the inmates This
state of affairs is a credit to our city and tc
its board of OverSeerS. l would recommend
frequent visits to, and inspection of the in
stitution by the board not only as a matter
of business, but to show the unfOrtunates
that an interest is felt in their welfare. We
are under contract for three more years
with the present management so that no
change is practicable or advisable at this
time. Still to start the trend of thought in
that direction l would suggest that the city
ultimately own and control suitable aims
house in connection with a productive farm
placing the same under competent super
intendent and thus secure the best of care
and subsistence at minimum cost.
FIRE DEPARTMENT.
During the past year we have had no seri-
GUS fires. and for several years we have
been signally favored in that respect. Past
experience should admOniSh us to be pre-
pared for emergencies. To this end l would
advise individuals to more generally pro
vide themselves with some standard chemi-
cal apparatus, which can be purchased at a
price within the means of every property
holder and place the same in stores, fac
tories, stables, club rooms and dwellings
ready for immediate use. The best time to
fight fire is at its start. The early use of
such apparatus would save severe losses by
fire. / also think the question of supple
menting our fire department with apparatus
of this kind should receive consideration
and that all reasonable requests from the
engineers department should be granted.
COLLECTOR OF TAXES.
In regard to the collection of taxes
should recommend new departure in con-
formity to Sec. of City charter and in con-
formity to the prevailing custom of many
other cities, viz that the city should fix the
rate of compensation for the service and
elect the person most suitable for the office
at the March meeting or as soon thereafter
as conveniently may be.