The daily morning journal and courier., 1902-06-03
A LETTER TO THE ALDERMEN.
Their Attention Called to Some Mat


 other taxpayers, to some matters which
 possibly may have escaped that carefu
 attention which should be given by al
 who are seeking the welfare of our city
 in every possible way. l trust that nc
 exception will be taken to address you
 in this public way, whether your views
 agree with mine or not. As you know
 there have been great changes in ouI
 city charter and the way of conducting
 our public business during the last few
 years. The writer thinks that thus far
 these changes have met with general
 approval, and although we have not yet
 reached ar ideal state in this line, still
 the present is a great Improvement
 from few years ago. The change that
 is now before us is perhaps more rad
 ical departure from the former way
 than any other that has been made be-
 fore; in having only one body, instead
 of two, in our city legislation. Many
 like myself, think it ought to, and can
 be great improvement from the for
 mer mode, in simplifying the public
 business; having 1t done more prompt-
 ly and saving much time and expense,
 relieving those who would be called on
 in coordinate body, to serve the
 public without remuneration. Still
 there are many who do not share this
 opinion, and look forward to this new
 departure with fear and trembling, and
 if their fears in some considerable measure prove true, of course there will
 be an agitation for return to former
 conditions. I think each one of your | body ought to be greatly gratified at | being thus invested with these respon- abilities, as giving an opportunity to demonstrate the wisdom of this new form of government. As you have been elevated to this high and responsible position by your fellow citizens, it fol- lows that they would not have con- ferred this honor on you if they had not believed you capable of wisely filling this place, but also that you would with all diligence according to your best ability, and with strict integrity, care fully guard the interests committed to your hands, whatever sacrifice of time, or convenience may be involved, in the same way that you look after your per sonal matters. I assume that your views as to your ability to we'll serve the public agrees fully with that of those who voted for you, and you have no misgivings on this point.
 If this is not so, you should as an honorable man decline when the nomi nation was made. Many who are serv- ing the city are well paid for this ser- vice, but in your case, although in the aggregate, 1t will involve much time, some money and often eff you are faith ful to your duties), a privation of fami- iy and social pleasures, yet all this you must have known in advance, and if not willing to make this sacrifice for the public good. you should have given way to others, who were willing to rem der more faithful service. If our city business is in the future to be well done and with prompt attention, there must be great reformation from the mode of procedure in the past First as to attendance. yr
 While the rule has been that only a majority would make a quorum, and of- ten important matters and large expen- ditures of money have been considered with only a little more than half of the body, if there is no advantage in num- bers, then in the matter of economy let us select fifteen or twenty men, who will be on hand at each meeting, and not add those who go only when some thing is to be considered in which they have a personal interest. The six al- dermen at large, In your body, should | be present every time when possible to | look out for the ctys interests, and the l voters in each ward have a right to in- | sist that their representative be present | at every meeting If possible; otherwise, l if he is not needed there, why was he | appointed to the place? The record of | at attendance at the meetings of both the aldermen and the counCilmen has thus | far been far from creditable to many of | the members How much time has been wasted in the past waiting for 1 enough to come in to make a quorum, and perhaps finally the sheriff has been | around the city to make the requisite number for transacting busi- ness
 This is great injustice to those who were punctualy at their posts at the appointed time Not only should there De general attendance, but also at the lime set for the session, It is not more difficult to do this than 1t is for the same person to be at the depot on time 70 take the train out of town, which he xnows will not wait his convenience. l Beginning after the time set, and of ne ,essity remaining to late hour often involves hardship on those who would like to attend these meetings as spectators, and may make necessary he postponement of important business md possibly what is attended to is hurried through at the last for fear of ,eing left without quorum. As most of the business coming before f ,ou will have to be referred to the ap- , committees, (which are from I ,our own number), much will depend { m the promptness with which these $ matters have attention. On this line here has been in the past great evils, { which cry loudly for reformation. There has been often long and unneces- f ary delay in even calling meeting of but when finally called, ' erhaps not enough present to attend to ' he business assigned, or else beginning ! ( t late hour, making an adjournment O some future time necessary, when | he lateness of the hour called many f way without an opportunity to pre- !