Durango semi-weekly herald., 1903-04-16
couMclL PROCEEDINGS.

when the aldermen settleu arounu tne
table and were called to order. Mayor
McEwen stated he had not had time to
review city affairs thoroughly, and
outside OF a few recommendations,
time would haye-to develop the best
policy to be pursued for the interests
of the city. His remarks were as fol-
lows:
"Gentlerlon of The Council:
';yVe will not weary you by deliver
ing long address, heightened by an
array of figures and statistics with
which we are not familiar.
In order to carry to successful ter
mination any great enterprise, the
available finances become matter
of first consideration, and contemplat-
ed improvements must be planned, to
an extent, to conform thereto. Per
manency should never be ignored. A
stable piece of work half finished is
worth far more than temporary
structure completed.
While we have not had the time to
examine in minute detail the various
sources OF revenue, nor to compare
them with the ordinary expenses, we
are informed that the former are suf-
ficient to meet current expenditures,
with the possibility of gradually ad-
ding to the city's stability and beauty.
"The gravity system of water works
under process of construction, in obe
dience to a vote of the people. am
informed by the city engineer. can not
be completed with the money remain
ing inappropriated in this fund; but
am hopeful that such progress can be
made with the work that the people
will cheerfully provide any lacking
amount | hope you will begin this
work at the earliest possible moment
and push the work of construction
with the utmost speed consistent with
efficiency to completion. The spring
months are far more favorable for the
vast amount of excavation necessary
than the dry season.
Il would recommend that in letting
contracts home labor if available, be
employed
"In purchasing material and supplies
of all kinds for city use, we strongly
favor competitive bids and a contract
as to prices before articles are deliv-
cred
The health of our people is para
mount to every other consideration.
In order to make a city pleasant
place to live, and to maintain its en-
viable reputation of being one of the
healthiest on the globe, it will, in the
absence of complete sewer system,
be necessary for the street and alley
committee. jointly with the health of
ficers and health committee, to eXer-
else eternal vigilance.
Our fire record has been good. and
should be kept up to the modern best.
Cheaper insurance makes it economy.
"As you have inherited printing
dispute of some magnitude, it might
be wise to endeavor to adopt some
plan whereby the city and those doing
The public printing could amicably ar
| rive at an understanding that would
| be a protection to the one and just to
| the other.
In order to simplify public ac-
counts we would suggest that all Ii
censes issued by the city clerk be
countersigned by the treasurer. 1,
would be "A great convenience If all IL
| censes have a common period or per
iods of ending, say April Both and Oct
31st.
THE police of a city is an import
ant and responsible branch of the
government requiring the best judg
ment on the part of those in authority
to protect the public, and at the same
| a., ;,3 10
quiring surveillance. When no infrac
tions exist is a good time to war;
| against abuses that have been known
elsewhere. A prisoners legal and
moral rights should be respected he
| should not be uselessly beaten, noI
searched except to disarm him of un
lawful weapons, and this latter
should be enforced with the citizen
Firearms in the daily walks of life
have no place in our modern civiliza
ton, and should not be carried.
Il would especially urge that you
rigidly enforce the ordinance exclud
ing minors from places where intoxi
cants are sold. and from the public
dance halls of the city.
I'm finis, let us strive together, har
moniously to make Durango a pleas
ant place to live in; a place to which
we will take pride in asking ouI
friends to come; safe and profitable
place for capital to seek investment
At the conclusion of his remarks
the mayor announced the following
standing committees:
Finance-Hanno, Weaver, Perry.
Purchasing-G Weaver, Sites
Streets and Alleys-Perry Berndt
Hanno
Electric Light Telephone and Gas
Davis. Sites. Weaver.
Health and Police-Godfrey Bus
kirk. Eanno.
Printing Perry Berndt Sites.
Fire and Water-Sites, Buskirk
Hanno Godfrey, Berndt
Cemetery and Parks-Weayer, Da
-is, Perry
City Hall and Jail-Berndt, Perry
Buskirll
Building Weaver, Davis. Godfrey.
Claims-Buskirk, Perry Davis.
The mayor stated that owing to the
large amountof work and importance
he had changed the fire and watel
committee TO five, very good idea