The Republican journal., 1907-03-21
City Government Organized.

| The members of the city council elect met
in the common council room Monday, March
18th. and were called to order at 10 O'Clock
a. m. by the city clerk, Maurice W. Lord
The certificate of the city clerk of the elect
tion of aldermen and councilmen was read,
and the Oaths were administered by William
P. Thompson, Esq. The record of the
election of the mayor was read by the city
clerk, and Edgar F. Hanson was sworn in as
mayor by VIM. 2. Thompson, J. P. Prayer
was offered by Rev. John W. Hatch. Mayor
Hanson delivered his address as follows,
after which the convention dissolved.
| MAYORS ADDRESS.
GENTLEMEN OF THE CITY COUNCIL:
Our fellow citizens, having confidence in
our honesty and ability, have chosen us to
control and manage the corporate interests
of our city.
The great responsibility that we have as
sumed should cause us each to carefully
| consider that the best interests of every
citizen demands our careful consideration
in the management of the city's affairs.
While it is true that in the city govern
ment organized here today is vested the
control of the city's business affairs, we
must not forget that we shall be subject to
both friendly and unfrendly criticism, but
this very fact should cause us to more firm
, ly resolve to conduct the city'S business in-
/ terests entrusted to us honestly and intelli-
| gently regardless of fear or favor.
would warn you against permitting any
| influence from any source however high to
swerve you from that which is right. 1t is
we'll to listen to advice from our fellow citi-
zens, but you should not act hastily, but
weigh well and carefully consider its ulti-
mate effect, before acting.
You have the power to appoint and the
| power to remove many of the city'S SER
wants. and | would advise that you exercise
this power carefully and judiciously. If
you nave conclusive evidence presented to
| you that any official under your supervision
IS incompetent, negligent, or rendering in
| efficient service, it is your duty to remove
MIN, and L would suggest that you exercise
the power OF removal whenever duty de-
mands it, without fear and without special
| favor.
trust that the members of this city gov
| ernment will work in harmony with each
| other and that we shall always exhibit tol-
| erance toward those whose opinions may
differ, however widely. from our own. Let
| us lay aside everything that will hinder our
cooperating for the best welfare of our city.
can assure you that every member of
this board will receive the same courtesy
and attention at my hands whether elected
by the same voters that elected me, or by
the votes of those who opposed me. We
should know no party, no faction, but act
together as the citizens of our common
wealth.
OUR FINANCIAL CONDITION..
Our total liabilities are, according to the
treasurer'S report, 1896, ,977.31.
Our principal asset is 5000 shares of the
capital stock of the B. e NJ L. R. R. Co., of
the par value of 100000.
Of this stock 1904 shares is non-preferred,
a itfln 1ncc hon
The remaining 1896 shares is preferred
stock and pays six per cent.
This stock could probably be sold for an
amount aggregating about $45O,00O, pro-
vlded it was within the city's control, but
unfortunately-wi without any benefit derived
trustees, to be held until 1918, or the
maturity of the S477,0OO Four Per cent
bonds, refunded by NY successors in the
City Government.
The future value of this stock is proble-
matical and | think it is evident to every
good business man that if there is any way
by which this stock can be sold and the in
debtedneSS Of the city decreased, it should
be done.
| have not yet investigated, but think it
possible that arrangements can be made
with some reliable banking institution to
purchase the SAT-, 600 outstanding bonds at
their market value, sell the city's railroad
stock, apply the proceeds to the iiquidating
of a portion of the citys Indebtedness,
issuing city bonds for the balance, retain
ing portion of the receipts from the sale
OF stock for the erection of school build
ing, etc. If this cannot be done, then our
citizens will drink to the dregs the cup
prepared for them by the men responsible
for the refunding scheme that placed the
city's stock beyond her reach. l shall give
this matter careful attention later.
TAXES.
l find the tax rate for the past year was
two mills or $4,000 per thousand, and many
citizens complain that this rate is burden
Some The cause Of our high rate of taxa
tion is directly chargeable to the perpetual
tion of the city's Indebtedness and mis-
management of its affairs by men who were
known as tax reducers, and later as Re-
publicanS. Under their control and manipu-
ation the city has been plunged to the ex-
treme limit of indebtedness, and they alone
are responsible for the present condition. l
do not mention this to stir up strife but be-
cause these men are quick to charge the
high tax rate to the last City Government
as though it were Democratic mismanage-
the city to its present condition.
Realizing how heavily the burden of
taxation rests upon many, trust it will be
found possible to meet the requirements of
the city by SO judiciouSly expending her
funds that reduced rate may be found
possible.
HIGHWAYS.
If the concensus of public opin ion is cor
rect, our streets, after an expenditure of
over $4,000 during the past year, are in
very unsatisfactory condition. Compare
lively little money was expended on bridges
and sidewalks during the year past, and we
therefore need no stronger illustration of
the fact that we should abandon the
methods of street building that we have
practiced for fifty years with such unde-
sirable results.
1t occurs to me it is time to make change
and apply crushed rock-which can be pro-
cured very economically i'm this city-im-
pacting the same into the surface of the
road, by the use of a heavy steam roller,
instead of hauling gravel as we have done
for years past With good drainage the
road, properly graded, and surfaced with
crushed rock, our work will become much
more permanent and satisfactory
l would recommend, if financial condi-
tiOns permit, the purchase of heavy pOrta-
BILE rock crusher and suitable steam roller.
Citizens in suburban districts have in
formed me that if crusher is placed in
their district, they will supply rock to the
crusher free, and l am confident that a
cubic cord Of crushed rock ready for appli-
cation in any part of the city, will not ex-
coed in cost the same amount of gravel as
applied for the past year, and in my opinion,
cord OF crushed rock properly applied, is
worth several cords of gravel.
steam roller is much superior to one