Evening journal., 1907-07-02

larger fees may ,cured to the city.
The license fees entirely too low
and a new ordina properly covering
these matters would assist in securing
additional revenue. II should include
public dancing halls, public billiard
end pool rooms. skating rinlxs, timer
ant dealers and musicians and other
like subjects. The fees for a circus
exhibition should be very much in
creased, considering the money they
take out of the town and the little
they expend while here. Regulations
for the prevention Of disasters at pub
lie exhibitions should be provided The
rush for tickets at the last circus
came near ending disastrously. and
some provision should be made where
by the safety Of the people can be in
sured on such occasions
(c), Licenses for vehicles should be
eXacted the same as IN other cities and
vehicles should be required 20 be num-
bered in order that the owners ident-
ity can be established
In order to more intelligcntly con-
slider our revenue system. I would sug-
gest the appointment Of special COM
mittee 70 consider and recommnd such
changes in the law as may be deemed
desirable.
Should Prohibit Exposed Wires.
Overhead Wires We should have
an ordinance regulating the erection
and maintaining Of overhead wiros
and especially those carrying high
potential or strong electric currents
Exposed wires Of such a character
should be prohibited particularly in
the congestod districts. as they are a
great menace In the time of fire and
are a probable cause Of connagration
Aside from the matter Of public safety.
the placing Of wires underground
would tend to the preservation Of the
shade and ornamental trees Of the city
The department having this matter IN
charge should seek to have as many
wires as possible placed underground
before commencing the new paving
work
Favors New City Hail.
Buildings and Public Records-Our IA
clities for the care and safe keeping OF
the public records are inadequate At the
present time the loft In the City Hall con-
tains many valuable old records which
are strewn over the foor like 20 much
rubbish. The offices Of tho various de-
pantments are isolated from one another
and are AZ adanted seyerally and coli
lectvely for good results The Water De-
partment is now occupying part Of the
old Federal Building while the Park
Board has no place 10 call It's own. Tho
Police Department. IS in cramped quar-
ters IN the rear OF tho city Hall and Is
totally insufficient for them. and the jail
facilities are way behind the times
In view Of these facts and FOR many
other good reasons. / feel that we should
have a new municipal building designed
and built for the proper housing Of the
various. city offices and with suitable pro-
vision for the systematic arrangement
and care OF our old as well as rapidly ac-
cumuls ing new records. The public pride
Of the y and our self respect demands
a new City Hall, and 1 most respectfully
urge that you apply yourselves In starting
such a measure and getting It in tangible
shape for submission 20 the people at the
earliest convenient date.
Buildings.-The last Council considered
TO some extent the subject OF a new build
ing ordinance. but little was done. I am
informed by many that our present laws
are not sufficient 10 properly provide for
modern structures, and that the ordinance
needs additional provisions with a view
to have It meet modern conditions. I
commend this matter earnestly 70 your
consideration.
Elections.-I think That your body should
recommend that the next Legislature en-
act an Improved election law for the city.
and ii might be well 10 consider the SUBJ
iect and have a bill drawn for presenta-
ton 10 the next General Assembly.
xplosives.-Ordinancc should be pre-
sented more definitely regulating the use
OF dynamite and other explosives within
tho city limits. This is a matter which so
intimately concerns the public safety and
property rights Of the citizens that n
should merit careful consideration. CThis
is applicable TO quarries as well as Fourth
Of July)
Municipal Bonds.-An effort should be
made TO have the Legislature so amend
the law relating to the sale Of municipal
bonds that the same could be sold by
popular subscription under certain pre-
scribed condition Provisions should also
be made that the holders Of bonds should
be permitted TO surrender bonds OF one
denomination and secure in exchange
therefor one or more certificates repre-
senting the amount surrendered. Some
difficulty has been experienced In the
sale Of the Street and Sewer bonds be-
cause Of the fact that when a purchaser
took a certihcete for a large amount.
such bond had to continue at such
amount until maturity.
The sinking fund act which was passed
in 1855, and Is sdll in force has long s'nce
outlived the object intended at the time
Of its passage. A bill for a new sinking
fund act should be prepared for prescn-
tation and action thereon at the next
session Of the General Assembly. AS the
law now stands. there is no provision for
raising funds from year TO year for the
purpose of paying off subsequent bonds.
but as bonds mature each year they are
required TO be paid from the revenues Of
the city for such year.
I have endcavorod to cover some OF the
necessary subjects for your consideration
as completely as possible. but Of course,
new conditions will arise suggesting var
ious matters Of equal or greater import
ance have embodied in this message
some Of the needed legislation which has
been suggested during my. previous term
in office. and submit the same with the
hope that these suggestions may be USE