The Telegraph-courier. [volume] (Kenosha, Wis.) 1888-1946, 1903-04-23

MAYOR PREPARES REFERENCES.
Makes a Strong Address to the Council.
Urging Care in the Business of the City.
Appointive Offices Filled by Council.

The new city council went into Of
fee last night under the most aus
picious circumstances and the harmony
displayed at the first meeting was an
indication of the good feeling between
the members of this city's executive
body. The meeting was called to
order by Mayor Pfennig who ia open
ing the first session spoke as follows:
Gentlemen:
We are starting on another year of
Kenosha's history with working
force of alderman, equal to any we
have had for many years past. feel
that this Council is composed of men,
the majority of whom, will not let
party feeling work to the detriment of
the best interests of our City, and |
hope that we will be able TO forget that
we are either democrats, republicans
or socialists and work together, with
the end in view, of serving our City
fairly, impartially, honestly and econ
omical1y.
This communication might be made
very lengthy if all questions needing
consideration were discussed at length.
will not burden you with lengthy
discussions, but feel It my duty to
mention a few questions that it will
devolve upon this council to consider.
The City's Finances.
Somewhat in the nature of review
of the old conucil's work will state,
that, although, it appeared as though
our last tax levy brought us about
$50, 100000 more this year than we had
the previous year, we really had less
money than usual for the general
running expenses of our City, as the
increase in county and state tax, alone,
more than consumed the extra $4,000
raised by the levy.
In addition to the general running
expenses of the City, we have paid the
following out of the taxes collected
under the last levy:
Poor Farm and furnishings. ..........S 5500.O0
Milw. Ave. Paving City Portion) 80. 1928
North Main ST. Paving Getty Portionl. 2495.43
Equipment of both Engine Houses u.
with heating apparatus. $3.50. 10000
Increase for Public Library ............ 7850.0C
Anna N. Rogers Judgment ............. 1885,. 4e
Increase in State and County Tax. 100000
Total .......... 1884 2S
You will notice that the above
amount, which is for extras, is much
more than one. third of the entire
amount Of money raised by taxation.
Pauper Affairs In Good Condition.
The pauper affairs of the City have
been especially well handled during
the past year, for which much credit is
due to Chairman Greenwald and ex-
chairman Hermann. In accordance
with figures furnished by the City
Clerk, l find that the following has
been the cost of the care of the City's
poor:
Dec. 1890 to Dec 1-1901 ............ S6051 Is
Dec. 1-190l to Dec. 11902 ................ 42132e
1887 81
The above shows net saving to the
City in last years expenditures of
$183787. With our poor farm now in
operation, believe we will be able to
still further reduce the expense con
nected with the care of our poor.
Although the list Of those dependent
on the City has been cut down material
ly, we still have several people on our
list that can do much more than they
are doing at present toward self sup
port. I cannot see why all of those
entirely dependent on the city for
support cannot be provided for ON the
City's farm, where most of them can
do enough work to partly, if not en-.
tire1y, earn their own living. / wish
to call the attention of the new pau.
per Committee" to the fact, that much
of the pauperism in our City is due to
the desertion of wives and children by
the husbands and fathers of the
families. This condition of affairs is
growing evil, and exists not only in
our own city, but is general throughout
the country, and it is time that this
matter received serious consideration.
trust the incoming Pauper Com.
mittee will do all ia their power to
help run down and punish this class of
criminals.
The Licensing of Dogs.
A matter for the consideration of
the new Judiciary Committee" will
be the framing of an ordinance for the
taxing Of dogs. This is a matter that
| have urged several times before, but
with no result.
The damage done by dogs has cost
our private citizens several hundred
dollars during the past winter, besides
putting in jeopardy the lives of several
citizens.
hope that the members of the Jud-
iciary Committee will be alive to the
fact, of the immediate reed of such an
ordinance and proceed to give our