Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1907-05-07

20 out Vi MS way 10 llQulSe III an IN
discriminate and nonsensical attack
upon the press of the city 1t was APP
parent the outgoing mayor could not
let go without groan. Then he painted
in bright cOlOrs the achievements CD of
his administration, and lauded his ap-
pointees. He concluded his address by
reading the report of Mr.. Schillinger in
regard to water rates, giving some in
complete statistics in the matter, and
recommending the placing of meters
on all water connections. The mayor
then spoke of his messages and the
by the council, and promised further
steps in relation to the waterworks ac-
counts. He concluded by expressing
well wishes for the new administration.
On motion by Alderman Anderson a
rising vote of thanks was given to
Mayor McCaskrin and the retiring Aid
ermen, and the council adjourned sine
die on motion of Alderman Wilson.
The new council was called to order
by Mayor Schaffer. and when the roll
had been called and the eight new aid
ermen and six whose terms do not ex-
pire until next spring had responded
to the call. Mayor McCaskrin, in neat
speech far more Creditable to him than
his valedictory, handed to Mr.. Schaffer
the gavel, and pinned on his breast the
gold star as the insignia of the eXecu-
tive Office.
The Inaugural Address.
When the thunderous applause which
followed this ceremony had subsidized,
Mayor Schaffer delivered his inaugural
address. speaking as follows:
Gentlemen of the Council: In &C.
cordance with custom, it is my duty
and pleasure at this time, the begin
ming of new year in municipal ad-
ministratiOn. to communicate to you
my ideas and recommendations con-
corning various matters coming within
the purview of the municipal authori-
tiles, legislative and executive.
| Aim is Harmony.
In the beginning, | beg to assure
you that it shall be my constant aim to
work in harmony with your honorable
lpONS' hSSOtSLiHihS thiI sOul
from the people is as valid as that con-
ferred upon the mayor by the people of
the whole city; and that you are equal
lily responsible with him for the proper
administration of the city's affairs.
believe, too, that you are as patriotic
as the mayor. and as earnest in your de
sire as he could possibly be to give the
Ino1nIa 80,
the moneys expended in the course OF
municipal administration, in the form
of service rendered by the several de
lpartments. and in the character and ex
tent of such public improvements as il
may be possible to initiate by the eX
ercise of business-like economy. Hold
ing these views, | confidently expect
lyOur cooperation with such efforts as
lmay put forth to give the people ar
administration of municipal affairs
! which shall be deserving of the com
mendation Of the taxpayers and citizens
generally.
Favors improvements.
. There are pressing for attention
from the mayor and city council many
projects which are important to some
section of the city. and which might b'
discussed at this time. But it would
be Improbable to take up your time
with the discussion of projects which
cannot be realized within reasonable
: time, because of practical financial con
sideratiOns which | shall bring to you
attentiOn. | am heartily in favor o
public improvements of every descriI
' ton, particularly the extension of sew
) ers and the building of pavements.
{ improvements which, while improvin!
= sanitary conditions and enhancing tn
! appearance of the city, more than pa
for themselves in the form of increases
Q property values. 1t is an evidence O
S the progressiveness of the propert
I owners that they not only welcOm
r such improvements, but are petition
n ling the city council for the inaugurs
b ton of SO many improvement project
/ that it is impossible to grant all thes
g requests, because the municipality
: unable to meet the city's proportion G
@ the cost of such undertakings. Hence
f it would be futile to recommend tn
r initiation of Improvements. and t
/. raise hopes in the minds of those pa
l. ticularly interested, which, on accoun
l. of the lack of funds indicated, cannC
d be brought to an early realizatiO
# through the action of this council. TIL
# council must carefully weigh the SCI
It eral projects, and provide for their e,
r lecution, in accordance with the mea
d ure of urgency of each. This brings L
II to the consideration of the finances
/ the municipality, whose salient facts
beg to submit to your honorable bod
T. believing that they will guide you
n providing for the several department
g. and possible improvements in accor
,r ance with prudent and intelligent bus
If ness practice.
nj Expenditures Necessary.
d Il estimate that the total revenue
lie the city during the present year, on
r, side the waterworks. which, as yc