Bryan morning eagle. [volume] (Bryan, Tex.) 1898-1909, 1906-04-14

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in the usual way.
The fiscal report showed bal
ances as follows, March 81:
Public improvement fund. .s2lia. es
Waterworks fund. ....... 3li.03
Special Street fund ..... 1865. p9
West Side School fund. 49,. 1924
Special Water fund. ..... 4OS5. 90
Building and Street fund 1912
Tax and Fine fund lover
urawnD ...-...... ......... AO. rs
Street Appropriation fund. 22.7s
The secretary's report showed
total collections Of SS4.57 for
month of March.
The returns OF the city election
were canvassed and the result Of
ficially declared.
j. L. Butler was duly sworn in
as mayor and ]. L. Covey and j.
w. Bats as aldermen, County
Judge A. G. Board administering
the oath of office.
On motion the old council adj
journed, and the new council was
called to order by Mayor Butler,
who then read the following rec
concentrations:
To the City Council of the City of
Bryan:
The statutory laws of the state,
among other things, require OF
the mayor that he "shall from time
TO time communicate to to the city
council all information and recon-
mend all such measures as may
tend TO the improvement of the
finances, the police, health, seour-
ity, cleanliness, ornament, comfort,
and good government of the city"
1t could not be reasonably ex-
pected that one entering upon the
duties of mayor for the first time
would bein the possession OF infor-
nation that would enable him TO
cover all the subjects embraced in
that law. | certainly am not, and
for that reason will not attempt to
DO so on this occasion. However,
there are certain matters of such
vital importance that | feel they
should have your immediate atten-
lion, and to that end respectfully
First, That your finance commit
lee be required to make full and
investigation of the
finances Of the city, including the
receipts and disbursements Of all
revenues from whatever source de-
rived, together with all sums due
he city from delinquent taxes or
my other source; and that you
,lothe them with the power to con.
ract with an expert accountant,
Who shall, in connection with said
audit the books Of the
iity, and make full report there
4 to the council as soon as the
work can be done
To my mind too much impor-
ance cannot be attached 70 this
natter. In the first place, the
resent administration being charg-
d with the administration Of the
fairs OF the city is entitled to in
ormation exact in its character as
0 the true condition Of the city's 1
finances. Secondly. if there have
zen been any errors committed in 4
he past, they may now be cor
ected.
have been informed that for \
ute a number Of years the gen.
raj revenue fund has not been suf- I
cient to pay the expenses incur
ed againse it, and that same is 4
ow behind to a considerable y
mount.
1t would certainly seem that a
ity with taxable values of nearly
million and half of dollars from Z
'hioh TO derive a revenue ought '
ertainly be able TO meet its ordi. 4
airy running expenses, and that il \
Oes not do so would indicate
ther one OF two things: that the {
,venues are not closely collected,
: that the expenses are too great. 4
he investigation | suggested '
ould reveal which Of said reasons 4
Sists, or whether either does, and 4
iable you to provide the proper
,medy. 4
Second: The next mattdr to \
hich | wish to call your attention 4
that Of water and light. When Y
corporation obtains from the 4
lblic a franchise to use public z
.operty for its business and un. \
irtakes to furnish the public any 4
it assumes the duty Y
ID obligation that its service will 4
ample for all purposes for which \
is intended. This is the law \
th regard to all corporations I'M x
rtaking to serve the public, and y
plies with greater force to the 4
rporation which has undertaken Y
supply tie citizens Of Bryan 4
tn water and light, for the rea- q