Dakota farmers' leader. (Canton, S.D.) 1890-19??, 1906-05-11
'ThOrSOn as SuretieS.

J. P. Nordseth, street commissions
$500, with Thos. Thorson as surety.
E. o. Berg, chief Of police, $500
j. D. Cloud and Geo. Olson as sure
ties.
H. w. Bremen, policeman, $500
with A. G. Mold and j. d. Cloud a:
sureties.
G. B. Kennedy, city attorney, $500
with J. G. Laxson and w. A. Kins
ley az surities.
D. H. Hawn, city justice of the
peace $500, with Math Hanson, c. H
Fitch and w. A. Kinsley as sureties
H. H. belong, Police justice of the
peace, $500. with A. Bradtield anC
Martin belong as sureties.
Mayor Gemmill then delivered his
inaugural address which is printed
herewith in full:
GENTLEMEN OF tHE CITY COUNCIL:
The change from an old to a new city gov
eminent means an exchange Of experience
and always more or less proved ability for
the uncertainties Of inexperience.
1t Is a wise provision. therefore. which re-
dutres, and a wise practice which usually re-
tains a still larger number of old members on
the council. Capacity for effective service to
the city depends very largely. however. on
the individual spirit and willingness to enter
actively into the routine of work constantly
required. o
A clear understanding at the outset is i'm
portant and to this end an inventory of pres
ent conditions should be made. We cannot
/ ~, 1n -eal,, &~~ Co.. a ,,;tl n .l.o a.
tails of the city's affairs.
With this foreword. I ask your attention to
the following considerations:
OUR n DEBT.
Our bonded Indebtedness exists In the form
OF 81 bonds of $500. each. bearing date of IAN
uary 2. 1903. due and payable twenty years
after date. bearing interest at rate of five per
cent per annum. and redeemable at city's
option as follows: The first ten bonds at ex-
piration Of five year period. second ten bonds
in ten years. and last twelve bonds in fifteen
years from date Of issue. any bond redeem
able may be taken up at any semi-annual
interest date thereafter. q
Against the maturity of these bonds the
city has begun the accumulation of a sinking
fund by appropriating to its use $500 each
year. This fund now amounts to $500 for
which the city holds certificates Of deposit in
the First National bank OF this city. drawing
i interest at rate OF five per cent per annum.
The city by ordinance. requires an actual
annualc contribution OF $500 to this fund and
its strict observance will enable the city to
exercise its option in m of bonds and
eventually take up the last bond at maturity
and without any additional taxation.
FLOATING INDEBTEDNESS.
Further obligations Of the city consist Of
unpaid warrants amounting to $500.
Last year the great need OF crossings caus-
ed the council to anticipate the city s revenue
and issue time warrants to the amount Of
81. 900 yah October 2. 1906. In like manner
a warrant for $500 was issued in aymen OF
chemical engine and a final paymen is still
owing on fire house lots.
These expenditures were no doubt wisely
made and with general approval. but still
they absorb much OF the fund usually en-
ployed in the making Of improvements. and
leave us the necessity for s%trictest economy.
applying what we have where most needed
and resorting to a duplication of last years
transactions. only VIXEN the need becomes
imperative.
WATER WORKS SYSTEM.
Revenue from water rents the past year
approximate g. 100. showing a substantial in
CTcdSc OScTL ue ycdT pTcSlOuS duu uOuDlc UDe
amount collected during the year 1904. when
the mistake was made in having no minimum
charge. Disbursements in this account ap-
proximate 1900. showing a net deficit OF $500
not including interest on bonds. This show
ing is hardly fair to the system and is due in
part to certain methods OF bookkeeping
which deprive this account of proper credits.
and in part to a failure to impose a hydrant
tax to which this system is fairly entitled.
With these reasonable credits the system Is
self sustaining. Examination should be made
of relation between extension OF this system
and resultant income with a view only to ex-
tending it's benefits where proportions will
allow.
ELECTRIC LIGHTS.
The city is under contract with the Canton
General Electric ompan running to Sep
TENDER 1908. to furnish street lights at $50
each per month. although this contract has
three years yet to run we should study the
lighting proposition, as new conditions are
developing and new methods employed af-
fecting both the cost and quality OF service
rendered. We should be repaired to trans
the future consideration of this question.
LICENSE.
System should prevail in the handling of
licenses, tnaL an adequate CneCk may De
made on the income from this source. These
fees should pass through a regular channel
and would suggest it be made the duty of
the marshal. in the case Of all street fakirs.
showmen or other persons operating under
temporary concession. to see that a proper
license has been issued. I suggest also that
che auditor be asked to prepare a schedule OF
all license rates as provided by ordinances
with a view to making prohibitive the sale OF
home merchants.
SPECIAL TAXES.
The street commissioner should be charged
with the responsibility of a careful account
ing of all items properly assessable to the
individual property owner. and not allow
this drain on the general fund of the city.
He should be instructed te proceed with the
weeds on unused lots and the trimming Of
trees as required by resolution of council
and have the same returned as a matter OF
special taxation. All should unite TO make
the city as attractive. sanitary and safe as
possible. and individual failure should mean
individual penalty as above outlined.
GENERAL SUGGESTIONS.
On May 1st there remained in the city
treasury about S4O0. This will be augmented
by the spring water rents amounting per-
haps to some 500 or $500. and possibly some
further small amount from taxes. After de-
Quoting from this amount the April expenses
of $1,000. the balance of 500 or 900 will repre-
| sent apprOYimateIy all the money available