Okolona messenger. (Okolona, Miss.) 1900-current, 1904-08-10
oKoIoNA, MISS, AUG. 10, 1904.
City OF oKoloNA.

ENM sluOn OF muse 80
49, lected by the city
council for the nexttwo years, as well
"A those who had been elected by the
people direct for the same length OF
time.
Mayor b. L. Morrison, who was
elected at the June election, entered
mon the duties Of his Office August lst'
and at the Friday night meeting OF the
citv council presented that body with
the following addsess
10 the Hon. CITY Council Of okolOna;
In this, q new era of the towns al.
minis ration, / wish the citizens OF
Okolona to know just where l stano,
90 / take this opportunity OF le11ing
them know through you.
We all agree as TO wanting our OOWn
to grow and prosper, but before We
car ASK people TO settle In our Most
we must get rid Of lawlessnees. 1 do
not think, like some, that we have n
~ the worst places, but / do think there
Is room for improvement, and l ask
vour hearty cooperation in suppress
sing the evils that exist among Us.
I consider the worst evil IN q
midst the "blind tigers" They nave
nam RIM out of other towns and we
cSn and must get rid Of them in ours,
and n we can't get them In one way,
We can in another If we all put eur
sbonlders to the wheel. wish 70 let
those engaged in this netarious busi-
ness know that II they are caught they
mead expect no mercy from me- and l
wonld recommend that the Board pass
ordinances incorporating sections 1904
and 16O5 Of the Annotated Code OF
1892 40 that the city may ave the
authority to investigate and try such
ohenses, and chapters lO4. 100 ana IUO'
laws Of 1900.
I am told that there is good deal OF
gambling going on In our midst, ana l
AM in favor of not only Furnishing the
crap shooting, but also the high toned
gamblers.
The Yagrancy law want 60 enIorce'
and / ask any and every citizen 70 re-
port to me any ore that they LnlnK
comes under this class and IL VIII %
investigated. Idleness breeds laWless-
ness and If We cen succeed IN getslng
rid Of the Migrants We have taken
quite e step in purifying our town.
There are several minor otfenses,
such as selling merchandise other
than drugs on the Sabbath day. but l
an n r this win be stopped by simply
calling the attention Of those who nave
thoughtlessly been engaged IN this.
would like for this board to consid-
or the ~advisabIlity Of removing all the
awpings in front Of the stores. IL
would certainly improve the appear
ance of our town, besides diminish the
risk IN case Of fire. I know that sew
eral are willing to remove them and
believe there would be no trouDle In
getting eli to do 30 without being
forced.
Onr sidewalks on Main street should
he paved. but as to the best way to
nave fhis done, the board lie doubtless
well advised. s...
urge the board to renew the enoEts
10 contract with the railroad company
for water aud lights, especially the
lights, so that we may have all night
service.
ask your earnest corporation IN
making and enforcing these necessary
changes, and promise you my best ef-
forts In enforcing the ordinances OF the
city and maintaining peace ana gooo
order. H. L. MORRISON, Mayor
The city council took up the election
of minor officers for the ensuing two
years with the following result
City CIerk-M. Houseman.
CITY Assessor and Collector-C. A.
LsGrone.
City Attoruey-L. P. Haley.
City Treasurer-T. L. BFamlitt.
Street, Commissioners. W. Anglin.
Members Board Of Education-z. 7.
Harper, L. Rosenbaum, S G. Sadler.
Street Committee-T. NJ. Beatty, J,
u Davis, R. W. Chandler.
Water and Light Commit
EseI, R. W. Chandler, ". I. Harrill
School Committee-T. n. Beatty, J.
n. Haley, J. NJ. Davis.
Finance Committee-R. W. Ohand-
Ter, J. N. Haley, WI. Harrill.
The reports Of the city clerk and
treasurer, fled With the council, iOI
the nrat three quarters ending July 1
1904, shows the city in excellent condi'
ton.
The receipts for water and light scr
vice during these three quarters ag-
eregate sl.s07. Is, and the e~xpendilur,
Of a. 5s 20. Thus this service is bu0
s150.o4 short Of taking care Of itself
In addition 70 the individual service, 4
must be remembered that there ar
about 80 public water hydrants which
would have cost the city during ALI tn
time they have been used, Il the plan.
had been in private hands,a ct leasts1 00l
aIear. The public lighting would hAvI
cost the olty fully another q. 900 40.