The Colfax gazette. [volume] (Colfax, Wash.) 1893-1932, 1905-12-29

they be accorded all due praise for their
efforts towards the upbuilding of our
city.
While much has been accomplished as
direct result OF municipal interest and
activity, there has been evidenced d
great general interest, covering every
phase Of civic progress, and it is for this
favorable condition that We should be
most thankful. The greatest results in
municipal affairs are only attained
where there is perfect harmony between
the citizens and their chosen officials
Beginning with the year 1905 there
was an allpervading sentiment demand
ing action by our city council looking to
the abatement OF certain nuisances
especially menacing to the general
health, and crusade was inRugurated
in the interest OF more beautiful and
attractive city. Both these praise
worthy objects met with universal en-
couragement, and as a result, more has
been accomplished than our people even
yet realize, and the wave of advancement
in this direction is still moving surely
onward. The spirit of progress has per
vaded our citizens for a twelve month,
and they will be satisfied with nothing
short of advancement. They want no
backward movement.
There are many phases of our munc
pal history which should be mentioned
to make q complete narrative of events,
but the limited space at command for
bids my going too much into detail,
hence our attention will be devoted to
but a few OF the more important sub
iects.
In my message to the council last Jan
uary, special prominence was given to
the water question, and the council was
pledged to see the then proposed gravity
system completed at the earliest possible
date. This was done, and now COlEax
has water supply which for quality is
unsurpassed anywhere, and while not
yet satisfactory as to quantity | feel
safe in assuring the people of an in
creased supply sufficient for all our
needs.
In the after of sewerage much stress
has been laid upon compulsory sewer
connection, and wherever complaint has
been made, or the necessity for such con.
nectiOn has been brought to the knOwl
edge of the council, Immediate action
has resulted, and those who have not
already complied (and these are but few
indeed) must do so at once as per order
issued at last session of the council. We
know that the correction OF abuses OF
long standing cannot be brought about
in day or a year, but the progress
made in our city during the past year
along the lines of cleanliness and cOnse-
quent healthfulness, must be a matter
of qualification to US all. Our alleys
though not so clean and well kept az
they should be, are not so bad as a year
ago. The good work done by the Civic
Improvement Society in getting rid Of
the pestileatial Chinese row on Island
street, cannot be er-estimated. The
praiseworthy co operation of the prop.
erty owners in block 6, in demonstrating
the benefits OF a retaining wall along
the South PalOuse river is matter for
universal Thanksgiving. This improve
ment is the solution OF long debated
question involving more that is vital to
our interests at this time than any other.
affecting as it does the health of the
community, to say nothing of the daily
offense to the sight and nostrils OF every
passer-by.
The past year has witnessed marked
Improvement in the streets of Colfax
notably that portion Main street between
Upton street and the depot and inter
secting streets. The people will have no
just cause for complaint il each succeed
ing year sees an equal amount of per
manent street improvement. All street
work has been done with the least posi-
BILE cost to the city.
The council now has under way the
work of properly numbering and district
ing the city preparatory to the installa
ton of free mail delivery, to which our
standing with the P o. Department has
| long entitled u.s. This will prove a great
| convenience to those living remote from
| the post Office, and will doubtless be much
appreciated.
In enumerating the forward move
ments OF the past year we should not
| overlook those individual enterprises
which have had such great bearing in
stimulating public and private activity
The progressive spirit is contagious, and
there is no doubt but that the new Hotel
Colfax and the magnificent store build
ing OF Mr., Julius Lippitt, will have the
effect of stimulating the building move
ment. Already we hear of handsome
and costly brick blocks to be erected
during the coming year, and it should
be no cause for surprise if the year 1906