Polk County observer. (Monmouth, Polk County, Or.) 1888-1927, 1907-05-07
MAYOR MUIR'S MESSAGE
City Lawmakers Hold Lengthy Ses-
siOn-James Harris Elected
Marshal.

The newly-elected city officers were
sworn in at regular meeting Of the
city council last night and the old
members Of the board stepped back
into private life. The session was a
lengthy one and the hour of II O'Clock
was reached before the accumulated
business on the table was disposed of,
The principal features of the meeting
were the reading of the Mayors mes
sage, the announcement Of standing
committees for the coming year, and
the election Of James Harris to the
office Of City Marshal.
Mayor Muir was warmly greeted by
retiring Mayor Biddle, the two men
clasping hands and exchanging
expressions Of good will as the new
officer took his seat. Mayor Muir then
read his message, the complete text Of
which will be found 10 this paper.
The Mayor announced the appoint
ment of standing committees as fol-
lows:
Finance -Cosper, sibley, vanOrs-
del.
Streets-Grant, Coad, Stafrin.
Ordinance-Sibley, Cosper, Grant.
Health and Police Shaw, Coad.
Stafrin.
Fire and Water -VanO Orsdel, Stafrin
Shaw.
James Harris was elected City Mar
shall for the ensuing year, receiving
four votes to J. P. Byers three.
W. G. Vassall was reelected City
Treasurer without opposition.
The annual financial report Of the
Auditor was read and ordered printed
in the city papers.
MAYORS MESSAGE.
Gentlemen Of the Council: In
accordance with the provision of the
City Charter that makes it the duty OF
the Mayor to annually communicate
by message to the council a general
statement of the condition Of the
affairs Of this municipal corporation,
and to recommend the adoption of
such measures as he may deem
expedient and proper, have the honor
to submit few recommendations for
your consideration. 1t has not been
my purpose to attempt to touch upon
every phase of municipal affairs in
this brief message, but more to call
your attention to those matters, which,
in my opinion, are Of greatest i'm
portance to the city at the present
time. New conditions are continually
arising that call for action on the
part Of the city officials, and it is our
duty to meet these problems and solve
them to the best Of our ability as they
come before us.
IMPROVEMENT OF STREETS.
The most important problem con-
fronting the City Council Of Dallas
today is the improvement Of oul
streets and public ways. Time and
costly experience have demonstrated
that streets constructed Of LaCreolt
River gravel will not Withstand the
heavy traffic Of the city, and thai
methods radically different from those
pursued in the past must be resortet
to if Dallas is to have good, perma
nent thoroughfares. There is no ques
lEtion as to the need of better streets
4 the work before this Council is tC
! improve the streets in the best possi
BILE way for the amount Of money tina
the board may feel justified in expend
ing for the purpose. The people 0
Dallas want better streets. While th'
question was not placed on the ballo
in the recent election, every candidate
for Office expressed himself openl,
and publicly in favor Of the improve
ment, and no candidates were nomin
ated to oppose those candidates who 81
expressed themselves; consequently
it is certain that very large majority
Of the people of the town want bette
streets. The methods Of proceeding
to make these improvements will b.
proper and important subjects TO
your consideration, to the end that th'
best results may be obtained.
SEWERS.
The need of an extension OF th'
present sewer system is apparent t.
all. The construction Of the Cour
and Mill Street sewers was one Of thl
best investments ever made by th'
property-owners on those two streets
not only from a standpoint Of healtl
and cleanliness, but for financia
reasons as we'll. Steps have already
been taken by the Council for the con
struction Of a sewer on Oak Street. ant
I would recommend that no time b
lost by this board in getting the act
ual work Of construction under way
so that the sewer may be completed
before another rainy season sets in
I would also recommend that yot
consider the advisability Of extending
the sewer system so as to include
Washington Street as well as Court
Mill and Oak Streets.
ELECTRIC LIGHTS.
The amount of money now paid fol
lighting the streets is the heaviest ane
most burdensome expense that th'
taxpayers Of Dallas are called upon t.
pay. The amount Of money paid on
on this account each month is heavier
than the city can afford to pay, and il