The Lamar register., 1901-04-10
Mayors Annual Message.

To the Honorable Board of Trustees:
The close OF the fiscal year renders
necessary a brief review OF the towns
financial affairs, not only for the infor-
nation OF the taxpaying public, but for
the guidance of the new men who have
been chosen to look after the munici.
pality's needs for the coming year. AS
will be noted in the detailed state
ments OF the clerk and treasurer, the
new year Is entered With large float
ing Indebtedness charged against some
OF the funds. When the council organ
lied year ago it WAS the hope and
wish of all the members that expenses
could be cut down so as to reduce the
burden OF town taxation, which, added
to the high levies for school and county
purposes, caused some complaint among
the taxpayers. Unfortunately. how
ever, unforeseen contingencies pre-
vented the board from carrying out its
praiseworthy resolution. The sanitary
condition OF the town after the excess
i've rains of last spring made necessary
the construction OF large drainage
ditch. The collapse OF the hose house
and council chamber entailed the ex-
pense OF new structure. The wretched
condition of the waterworks system,
due TO faulty construction al the time il
was installed. left it wholly inadequate
for fire protection and to supply the
constantly increasing demands for VIA
ter for domestic use, so that it was
imperative to make general repairs.
get new pumping mnchinery and II
second we'll, and extend the mains to
supply the territory newly built up.
These perplexins problems were met
by the council just as an experienced
business man would dispose Of IL similar
exigency in his private affairs. The
credit Of the town-always excellent
was drawn upon to pay for the needed
improvements. and as result Lamar
has an excellent drainage system. II
waterworks plant capable of meeting
the needs OF the population for many
years to come, and credItablc build
ing for the use Of the council and the
fire department. The ordinances have
also been revised so that il is possible
to enforce their provisions when the
law needs vindication. In addition to
the unusual expenditures mentioned
above there has been general increase
of current expenses due to the rapid
growth OF the town. While the retir-
ing council regrets the legacy of debt it
leaves to the new board, the members
have the satisfaction of knowing that
all the money was honestly expended
for the betterment and welfare of the
town that is the pride of all good
citizens.
Before dismissing the financial ques-
tion l would suggest that it would be
we'll for the council to take action for
refunding the 5000 of courthouse
bonds at lower interest rate, and also
that it would be wise to publish IL semi
annual financial statement as the law
provides, so that every taxpayer could
be fully informed as to how the public
moneys are used. BY doing this, much
thoughtless criticism from uninformed
persons will be averted.
When the new waterworks reservoir
is completed the public property will
be in very good condition. though the
matter of replacing the wooden mains
on Main street with iron ones will soon
demand your attention. The water
supply has been improved in purity by
the sinking Of the new well and the
extension of the mains to do away with
dead ends and give perfect circulation
OF water at all times.
In closing wish to thank the mem
bers OF the council collectively and the
various committees for the thorough
manner in which they have performed
their duties. Many of you have sacri-
feed time that should have been de-
voted to your private business in your
efforts to promote the best interests of
the town, and if any mistakes have
been made they were not intentional
Your own consciousness tha, YOU were
acting for the public good will proba-
bly, have to be your reward for the
present. My best wish in retiring is
that the new mayor and council will
find it possible to act as harmoniously
and pleasantly in all public matters as
did the old one.
J. T. LAwLESs, Mayor.