Durango semi-weekly herald., 1901-04-18
CITY AFFAIRS.

The retiring members OF the city
council can rest assured of the best
wishes OF the community for the man
ner in which they interested them
selves In the welfare Of the city. Two
years ago The Herald asked and urg-
ed the election OF men irrespective OF
party. men who would drop partisan
ship and put their shoulder to the
wheel Tor the upbuiiding Of Durango.
we succeeded In interesting the vot
ers IN this work and that spring elect
ed &, E. Mcconnell mayor, W. j. Pat
tcrson, frank GaIlotu. X II, Sloan
and +. E Sisson aldermen, When
the above gentlemen took Office the
city was In more or less diiapidated
condition not only In matters OF i'm
port before the council. but the APP
pcaraucc OF the city. There were
lawsuits. unpaid bills awaiting adjust
ment. electric light sIuabble. and last
but not least. the sidewalks were In
- deplorabie state. epdangering life
aud limb 10 say nothing of the III
effects upon strangers visiting our
city. The new members were not
long in innugurating n change. Messrs.
a. h. sloan. Frank Gnllotti and w. 7.
Darlington were appointed on the
finance committee. and Messrs. Sloan,
Darlington and Siason on streets and
alleys. Mr., sloan went into the fna.
riai afrAirs OF the city the same ms
his own. and with the assistance OF
hts fellow. members soon cleared the Mt.
mospherc In this direction. with re
suit that the statement published yes.
trrday shows that the city has stead
iiy reduced its warrant Indebtedness
ana Increased It's cash holdings. the
hgurea OF the past year showing about
81 900 on the right side of the ledger.
In connection with this many improve
ments have been made. some $500
being paid out for vault to keep city
records. new cross walks and street
grading. Two years ago. AS before
stated. the sidewalks and crossings
were In terrible shape. II was dan
gcrous to traverse almost any resi-.
dencc portion of the city after dark
Tor fear OF injury, and the city was
threatened with numerous lawsuits
Tor INJURIES received by negligence OF
former councils In not compelling re.
pairs,
fhc street and alley committee. com
posed OF two Republicans and one
democrat all three working harmoni.
ousiy. concluded TO take the bull by
the horns and at once proceeded to
condemn miles OF sidewalks II was
hard TO draw the line consequently
where there was the feant sign ui
rotten Etringers or dilnpidation. new
walks were ordered. Al the time II
created much adverse comment many
feeling that they were being burden.
ed with unnecessary expense. hut
the committees was not dismayed,
knowing full well that the medicine
ohered would prove beneficial. nnd
events have justinod their policy. The
committee put In almost days at q
time, especially MIR Sloan who AT that
time came In tor most of the abuse
and rs result our people are proud
of ,.,e work accomplished by the com.
mitiee- II IL n pleasure to take "a
Walk about the city, and II the com.
mittee on streets and alleys will con
TIME the good work which was al.
lowed TO lag the latter part OF last
year the sidewalks can be kcpt up to
their present standard without impos.
ing any hardships.
While other members acted In uni.
son. Mr. Sloan was the moving spir.
II IN the matter OF proyressiveness
and 10 him the eredi, viii be given in
years TO come Without any dispar.
asement to any of the new members.
II 10 too bad that politics must enter
and keep such men on the board
When We have business men who con
sent 10 put In their time, and look af.
ter the citys welfare the same as
their own, they should be retained,
ana IN the retirement OF Messrs
slonn. Galiotti and Dobbins the city
dispenscs with faithful services. But
the men who take their places are
able and capable OF continuing the
work. and this they can do II they
VIII study the requirements. keep in
touch with the people and trown down
ali partisanship. and those who are
Tor advancing personal ends instead OF
those OF the city Every man and
every project should look alike, no
matter who II Is or what II is. and
then at the end of their service the
people can say. as In the case OF those
retired. including Mayor Mcconnell.
who was always alert In promoting
public interests. Wen done. thou good
ana faithful servants"
From Wednesdays Daily.
Sawmiil men are in demand II